Icon Coilovers to Achieve Softer than OEM Suspension?

[Chris Edward]

Guys, a little background. I adore my '16 SR5 4x4 and would like to do a front leveling. This truck will be 99% commuter. I just did TRD Pro's and 265/70-17 KO2's. I actually don't want to do front and rear Daystar, I only am interested in doing the front spacer to bring it up a bit. My question is, is there any shock/spring/ coilover setup out there, whether OME, Fox, Icon, etc that will ride softer than stock? I've searched quite a bit and haven't found any conclusive information. My 4Runner buddy says it's impossible to achieve a softer than stock ride, but that can't be the case can it? I know 5100's are totally out as they will for sure be stiffer. 6112's don't seem any softer than stock. So it seems I'm looking at an Icon coilover or similar setup. Any ideas?

 

[RyanEJ25]

Guys, a little background. I adore my '16 SR5 4x4 and would like to do a front leveling. This truck will be 99% commuter. I just did TRD Pro's and 265/70-17 KO2's. I actually don't want to do front and rear Daystar, I only am interested in doing the front spacer to bring it up a bit. My question is, is there any shock/spring/ coilover setup out there, whether OME, Fox, Icon, etc that will ride softer than stock? I've searched quite a bit and haven't found any conclusive information. My 4Runner buddy says it's impossible to achieve a softer than stock ride, but that can't be the case can it? I know 5100's are totally out as they will for sure be stiffer. 6112's don't seem any softer than stock. So it seems I'm looking at an Icon coilover or similar setup. Any ideas?

If your looking for just front shocks I wouldn't recommend just front shocks. If your looking for front lift just get an inch spacer and be done or pick up someone's TRD PRO suspension. If you want better suspension get it. I have Fox 2.5 F+R and it rides like a dream IMO. YMMV.

 

[Da8ron]

What exactly do you mean by soft? Passengers feel almost nothing over curves or bumps?

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[DKRunner]

If you want a soft ride I would not go with icon. They are great over big stuff but we're rigid over pot holes and bridge abutments.

 

[marshal]

It's going to be hard to get softer than the mushy pile of shit that is the stock suspension. I would advise you to contemplate if the 4runner platform is appropriate for your needs and decide if you need to sell it for a Cadillac

 

[mybabydaddy]

It's going to be hard to get softer than the mushy pile of shit that is the stock suspension. I would advise you to contemplate if the 4runner platform is appropriate for your needs and decide if you need to sell it for a Cadillac

[MENTION=104049]marshal[/MENTION], I want you to work on your “directness”.... I don’t think you’re getting your point across clearly. :doh:

 

[ToyoDriver]

OP, I am interested in this too. I drive >4000 miles a month, every month. It is all highway 75mph+ driving and I can't stand the way 5100s feel when you drive 8 hours in one day. I put the stock suspension back on.

It's going to be hard to get softer than the mushy pile of shit that is the stock suspension. I would advise you to contemplate if the 4runner platform is appropriate for your needs and decide if you need to sell it for a Cadillac

I've considered going back to a C Class, but I take this in the woods at least 2x a month and would miss that too much.

 

[delloro]

Guys, a little background. I adore my '16 SR5 4x4 and would like to do a front leveling. This truck will be 99% commuter. I just did TRD Pro's and 265/70-17 KO2's. I actually don't want to do front and rear Daystar, I only am interested in doing the front spacer to bring it up a bit. My question is, is there any shock/spring/ coilover setup out there, whether OME, Fox, Icon, etc that will ride softer than stock? I've searched quite a bit and haven't found any conclusive information. My 4Runner buddy says it's impossible to achieve a softer than stock ride, but that can't be the case can it? I know 5100's are totally out as they will for sure be stiffer. 6112's don't seem any softer than stock. So it seems I'm looking at an Icon coilover or similar setup. Any ideas?

Keep the stock ride with a 1" spacer up front. It will give you 2" of lift.

 

[Da8ron]

If you want a soft ride I would not go with icon. They are great over big stuff but we're rigid over pot holes and bridge abutments.

I've been in my icon for a month. Previously I was on XREAS. I agree with you.

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[Chris Edward]

It's going to be hard to get softer than the mushy pile of shit that is the stock suspension. I would advise you to contemplate if the 4runner platform is appropriate for your needs and decide if you need to sell it for a Cadillac

That can be said for any platform anywhere. You can lower an Escalade and make it handle. You can even make a fox body Mustang handle. You can lift a 2WD 4Runner, etc. People like going different ways to suit their different needs. I love the 4Runner platform, and since I plan to do shocks or spacers of some kind, I figured I would ask. My question on softening the truck pertains mainly to the rear. It feels like it could use a few 100lb sand bags in the cargo area. If there are no other rear spring/ shock options available to me that would soften the ride and make it ride like a Prerunner (stock height or otherwise), then I will accept that completely! I just wanted to pose the question to see if I had any options.

 

[nb rob]

Give king a call! Their OEM kit comes with very soft springs (550lb I believe). You can also discuss spring options with them.
I have the compression adjust in the rear, and you can adjust it to be stiff, or comfortably soft for the highway. I have mine on setting 4 of 20. Loaded up with gear in the woods, stiffer feels better to me.

regardless-- I'd explore spring options if you're looking for a very soft ride. I would definitely describe king as soft, but you can make it rigid with heavier springs. With no preload, their OEM series will level everything out.

They're great to talk to, I was amazed by their customer service.

just my $.02

 

[weeeee]

King is king. Mine rides super plush over bumps and on the road, but still firm enough on the road. The TRDP shocks I had before rode pretty similarly.

Spacer lifts suck. All you'll do is get a shitty ride when you preload the springs to get lift. Maybe not at 1/2 or so, but you'll feel it at 1" or more.

 

[Chris Edward]

Spacer lifts suck. All you'll do is get a shitty ride when you preload the springs to get lift. Maybe not at 1/2 or so, but you'll feel it at 1" or more.

I did call King but they promptly told me none of their coilover packages would be softer than stock in any way. It was a brief phone call lol.

I thought the spacer goes above the spring/strut assembly. How does that preload the spring?

 

[bofa]

I did call King but they promptly told me none of their coilover packages would be softer than stock in any way. It was a brief phone call lol.

I thought the spacer goes above the spring/strut assembly. How does that preload the spring?

It depends on the manufacturer. Some go on top of the assembly, essentially retaining the same ride while others require disassembling the CO and do pre-load the spring. Some do both.

 

[cloudrunner]

I have an Icon Stage 2 lift on my 4th gen and it rides extremely stiff. The ride was so... much softer (close to factory) with a 3/2 spacer kit. You should also consider cost. King is high end and will cost you mucho dinero. A spacer kit on the other hand is very inexpensive and gets the job done.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Softer ride

The King and ICON shocks with remote reservoir and adjustment dials are tuned to achieve the stock ride at about setting #4. Go higher and it get's stiffer. Go lower and it gets more pliable, softer. Softer than the stock, OEM shocks. But these come at a hefty price. Plus you'll need a new UCA to handle the larger diameter, 2.5" shocks and coil over springs. Along with installation, alignment and other parts and service, the new shocks and springs will set you back big bucks.

As mentioned here by others, the springs are going to determine whether the ride is hard or soft. Change out the springs to a higher load rating and it will get stiff. And vice versa. I think for the 4Runner with a large cargo capacity, if you go with softer rear coil springs it will sag too low when fully loaded with camping gear, luggage or people and luggage.

 

[TheWraith]

If you want a soft ride I would not go with icon. They are great over big stuff but we're rigid over pot holes and bridge abutments.

totally disagree ... I have icons CVCC and when tuned right ( setup lower than max hieght, set to soft w/ the tire pressure set to 38psi) they are soft

 

[DKRunner]

Without comprehension and dampening adjustments. They are stiff over the small stuff. It's all in the valving.

 

[TheWraith]

???

Without comprehension and dampening adjustments. They are stiff over the small stuff. It's all in the valving.

we arent talking triple bypass shocks... He specifically asked about ICON's and you commented that they are stiff over pot holes and etc... I have ICON's and I speak from experience. Can you ??? With the CVCC they are soft on the freeway and on the trails... If you know how to set them up for what you want to do...

softer ride = don't max out spring pre-load, run 38psi on your tires, and don't go pass 3 on the dial. Only problem with running your Dials at 3 they have more nose dive which I don't like.

mine= I'm maxed out on the pre-load ( highest spring perch setting as per ICON's recommendation), Dials are set at 5 in the front and 6 in the back, and running 38psi on my 285/70-17 duratracs...

Still very compliant over the small stuff...

 

[DKRunner]

Had icons on my truck and do speak from experience. Without the CVCC option, they are stiff over pot holes and bridge abutments as I said in the post above. You do know they are available without the cvcc adjustment dials right? Do you know from experience without having that option??