ICON Lift thoughts

[deekoi]

I've been bouncing back and forth, to lift or not to lift.

I've done lots of research and looked through the lifted photos over and over again. I don't plan on changing out my tires to anything beefier, at least until these tires are worn out. Than again... when I got this truck I didn't plan on much mods... AND Definitely no lift. now some mods later... :bluejump:
soo no beefier tires for now or the near future. I have at least 25-30k left to these.

I'm considering an ICON lift stage 2 and haven't decided between Icon UCA or Light Racing UCA. I read somewhere that the ICON's UCA make squeaking noises but don't know how bad and if there is a solution. I know there is a significant prices difference but if one is better than the other I'd like to know. Anyone know if their's a big difference between the two other than material and looks? Any other issues or problems/concerns?

And, would it look weird with 2" (or around 1.5") lift with 265/70/17 (Firestone AT, which have continued to be awesome)

Thanks for any input!

 

[Ttn333]

I'd go with the extended reservoir shocks and light racing. I have light racing and have not had any problem for a year and a half. I'm at 40k+ thus far.

At 2" in the front, you should look fine with stock size AT tires. You can push to 3/2 lift when you want larger tires.

 

[FactoryRide]

Here's you a general idea of how it will sit with a 2" lift with stock sized tires

This is just the day star spacer lift for right now. Yeah they look a little small but its not too bad. If you are keeping the same wheels, I would look into some wheel spacers. That really helped my stance and made them stick out a little further and kinda took away some of the smallness that the tires had.

Are you planning on doing your lift yourself? If not, I would look into it. I pulled mine apart and did it, while it was just a spacer lift, I'm sure it would be very similar. I got a good bit of enjoyment out of doing mine, while I did have some #$%$#$% kinda moments.

Keep us updated as to what you decide!! Good Luck :trophy:

 

[limamike]

I've been bouncing back and forth, to lift or not to lift.

I've done lots of research and looked through the lifted photos over and over again. I don't plan on changing out my tires to anything beefier, at least until these tires are worn out. Than again... when I got this truck I didn't plan on much mods... AND Definitely no lift. now some mods later... :bluejump:
soo no beefier tires for now or the near future. I have at least 25-30k left to these.

I'm considering an ICON lift stage 2 and haven't decided between Icon UCA or Light Racing UCA. I read somewhere that the ICON's UCA make squeaking noises but don't know how bad and if there is a solution. I know there is a significant prices difference but if one is better than the other I'd like to know. Anyone know if their's a big difference between the two other than material and looks? Any other issues or problems/concerns?

And, would it look weird with 2" (or around 1.5") lift with 265/70/17 (Firestone AT, which have continued to be awesome)

Thanks for any input!

The Icon UCA are uniball whereas the LR UCA is a standard ball joint. The uniball should give you more articulation, but they're also more maintenance. In my experience, both the LR UCA and any uniball UCA make some noise. Myself and QJake had issues with the LR UCA squeaking right after installation (which was fixed with a lot of grease). After putting a few hundred offroad miles on them they're starting to chatter a bit again, but nowhere near as bad as they were at first. I think most anyone here with uniball UCAs will tell you that they start to squeak without regular lubrication.

If you're going with a true Stage 2, don't you need a uniball UCA for the extended travel front coilovers?

 

[Qjake]

Unless you're racing through the desert then resi c/o's aren't needed.

The Icon UCA's are certainly very nice but you can save about $800-900 dollars going with the Light Racing uppers and achieve the same result without the maintenance that uniballs require.

I went with this set-up but swapped the c/o's for the extended travel version (same price) and am very happy with it.

As you've probably already seen while doing your research everyone has different opinions on the best set up for lifting our trucks. I think it's safe to say that you would be happy with anything that Icon has to offer.

Good luck and keep us posted! :thumb3:

 

[Mick1]

I have the setup you are describing

I like the LR and think they are good quality. I also appreciated the install videos. :guitar3: Not much noise from mine. I started to hear some noises recently for the first time. I still need to order some drislide lubricant. About 9,000 miles done since install.

Click the pic link in my sig for all the pictures you could want.

 

[Qjake]

Posting at the same time...

Yup had an issue after install of the LR UCA's, lack of enough grease on initial install, pulled them and greased them properly and they've been quiet ever since.

As for travel on the Icon uni's vs the LR sealed ball joint, there as been some debate but I've not seen any solid proof that one has more travel vs the other. Harper has had experience with both so hopefully he will chime in but I doubt it's a significant amount. certainly not $800 worth of travel :wink2:

 

[Qjake]

Forgot the most important question you asked, looking weird?

Absolutely not!! Any lifted 5th looks awesome!! :bigok:

But I bet you'll change your mind on tires if ya do :boink: :wink2:

 

[deekoi]

I came across yours and saved your picture to remind me how good it looks. also one of many to fight the side of me that was avoiding a lift... what was i thinking! looks bad A$$!!

Unless you're racing through the desert then resi c/o's aren't needed.

The Icon UCA's are certainly very nice but you can save about $800-900 dollars going with the Light Racing uppers and achieve the same result without the maintenance that uniballs require.

I went with this set-up but swapped the c/o's for the extended travel version (same price) and am very happy with it.

That's the kit I've been looking at.

I'm leaning towards LR! maybe with all that money I save they can go towards new tires... HMMMMM :hungry:;

 

[sandcrawler]

you may want to check out Nathan's TE build: OW lift w/265/70-17 Firestone Destinations (MT, not AT as in you case)

 

[Intruder]

I read somewhere that the ICON's UCA make squeaking noises but don't know how bad and if there is a solution.

I think that if you wheel any aftermarket suspension significantly you will eventually start to get various squeaks. Pretty much everyone in my group has some sort of squeak going on regardless of the brands of the components - LR, Icon, Radflo, Walker-Evans, etc. A can of white lithium grease works wonders though.

 

[STLDAVE]

I've been bouncing back and forth, to lift or not to lift.

I've done lots of research and looked through the lifted photos over and over again. I don't plan on changing out my tires to anything beefier, at least until these tires are worn out. Than again... when I got this truck I didn't plan on much mods... AND Definitely no lift. now some mods later... :bluejump:
soo no beefier tires for now or the near future. I have at least 25-30k left to these.

I'm considering an ICON lift stage 2 and haven't decided between Icon UCA or Light Racing UCA. I read somewhere that the ICON's UCA make squeaking noises but don't know how bad and if there is a solution. I know there is a significant prices difference but if one is better than the other I'd like to know. Anyone know if their's a big difference between the two other than material and looks? Any other issues or problems/concerns?

And, would it look weird with 2" (or around 1.5") lift with 265/70/17 (Firestone AT, which have continued to be awesome)

Thanks for any input!

Here's what lifting 2 inches in both the front and rear looks like with stock 265/70/17 tires looks like.

 

[GrantK]

Just to throw some additional confusion into the mix...
ICON has two UCAs, the expensive billet version that has been around for a long time and the newer tubular version which is $735 msrp. There isn't a lot of trail feedback on these yet but the initial reports are rating them top notch as is expected for ICON products.

 

[qnyla]

With a 5th gen 4 runner, at what amount of lift do you NEED to change out the stock UCAs?

I am interested because I am looking at an ICON lift for a TE I am getting ready to order.

I have a ICON Stage 1 on a 2nd gen Tacoma with 2 inches of lift and I have been running this set up for about 70k miles without NEED for replacing the stock UCAs. Love the ICON lift BTW.

 

[limamike]

With a 5th gen 4 runner, at what amount of lift do you NEED to change out the stock UCAs?

I am interested because I am looking at an ICON lift for a TE I am getting ready to order.

I have a ICON Stage 1 on a 2nd gen Tacoma with 2 inches of lift and I have been running this set up for about 70k miles without NEED for replacing the stock UCAs. Love the ICON lift BTW.

Why do you feel you don't need to change your UCAs on the Tacoma?

 

[qnyla]

Why do you feel you don't need to change your UCAs on the Tacoma?

Adequate articulation and alignment for a modest 2 inch lift.

Handling and ride quality are outstanding both off- and on-road.

 

[deekoi]

Just to throw some additional confusion into the mix...
ICON has two UCAs, the expensive billet version that has been around for a long time and the newer tubular version which is $735 msrp. There isn't a lot of trail feedback on these yet but the initial reports are rating them top notch as is expected for ICON products.

Thanks... :wow: :redbrick:

 

[jangoforhire]

Thanks... :wow: :redbrick:

Adio3x just got a set of the Icon tubulars. Seems to like them so far, but yes there is not a ton of info on these out there yet. Seems like a solid option although if it was me deciding between tubular UCA's I would probably save my money and go for the LR's.

There is much more info and solid reviews out there for the LR's. Icon is a great company but these look almost identical to the solid performing LR's and are a few hundred more. Just my two cents.

 

[FERAL 4R]

you may want to check out Nathan's TE build: OW lift w/265/70-17 Firestone Destinations (MT, not AT as in you case)

Also don't forget he has wheels spacers as well. Adding wheel spacers (pushing the tire/wheel outwards) in addition to a more aggressive tire makes the stock tire size appear significantly bigger than they are, and gives it an overall better look.

 

[Qjake]

Just an observation on the Icon uppers that grant posted.

These are also uniball arms so you can expect all the same maintenance issues as the billets or any other uniball based arms. Not saying they aren't good arms, they are very good but considering cost and maintenance required I think the LR is the best choice. My opinion or course.