Icon Stage 2, OME BP-51, or King?

[TheDozer]

I put Kings on a week ago. I'm happy. I kept it simple. No UCAs, about a 2" lift to roughly level. I didn't do springs because I didn't want lift and I am not adding weight. Stock tire size as well. I have the clickers, turned all the way soft. It's hard to imagine them full hard (phrasing). My main goal was a better ride. I wanted the bumps to be eaten up more. So far so good, and I'm think it will only get better as they break in.

For the King coilovers, you got 2" without adjusting or is that what you set it at? I heard (don't know if it's true) but you need to dissemble to adjust the coil overs? Can you comment on that?

 

[TheKent]

For the King coilovers, you got 2" without adjusting or is that what you set it at? I heard (don't know if it's true) but you need to dissemble to adjust the coil overs? Can you comment on that?

I had them installed at a shop. I told them I want it leveled (mostly) without going over 2.5" so I wouldn't need UCAs. The backs didn't change. The front was raised 2". It's damn close to level. It doesn't look like anything is cranked on the shock.

As far as adjusting. I have seen two different things. I believe the 'correct' way is to take the shock apart. But I have also seen people just relieve pressure, and give a couple turns. Which I think is fine for smaller adjustments.

 

[TheDozer]

Pulled the trigger. King reservoir Coilovers up front w/ Total Chaos UCAs. King reservoir rear shocks with ICON springs. I'm hoping to get 2.5-3" on front then 2" in back so make it a little more level. I'll likely install over 4th of July weekend. Pictures to come...

 

[clydeepants]

Pulled the trigger. King reservoir Coilovers up front w/ Total Chaos UCAs. King reservoir rear shocks with ICON springs. I'm hoping to get 2.5-3" on front then 2" in back so make it a little more level. I'll likely install over 4th of July weekend. Pictures to come...

Any updates on the set-up, thoughts/experience? With black Friday sales fast approaching, it might be a good time to look at a suspension upgrade.

 

[Chas of MRT]

And Bilstein enters the high-end coilover game with the 8100 :dance::dance:

 

[Brandonium]

These all look nice. I finally decided to go with 2.5 Fox w/dsc. It was between King, Fox and OME BP-51.

 

[stryker759a]

Running Icon Stage 2 with 285/70/17 Nitto Trail's ride is amazing. Never ran Fox/King so can't compare.

 

[The Waco Kid]

And Bilstein enters the high-end coilover game with the 8100 :dance::dance:

opcorn:

 

[Dorobuta]

I'm running the Icon stage two and am very happy with it. I had this same setup on my FJ, so I am very familiar with it.

I think you'd be happy with any of the choices you listed...

 

[Dorobuta]

OK I should elaborate on the comment from my friend. Slow or fast OME was harsh. ICON was a little too rough until getting up to speed. King was plush at any speed. At faster speeds ICON and King are very similar. I guess I take it with a grain of salt. This is why I asked the experts here on the forums as they will have more experience and knowledge. Of course his comments were for a Land Cruiser which is a whole different ballgame but I imagine there is a sliver of truth in there.

For myself I was wondering this new BP51 kit how it behaved but as I mentioned I think I'm sold on King from his comments and everyone on the boards. Again thank you everyone for the feedback, this really helped me out.

Have never experienced any roughness with the ICONS.

 

[Chas of MRT]

Preload and lift height play a large roll in the ride quality as well.

 

[techoguy]

I'm in the same boat, looking at icon or kings. Was hoping to hear from the OP after a few months to see what he thought.

 

[Jono.ful]

Out on the trail this past weekend. I unfortunately suffered a breakdown that necessitated a ride back to town to have a bearing pressed. I caught a ride in a 3rd gen on king remote resis with adjusters. I have to say, compared to my Radflo set up, the kings were harsh and at times jarring while travelling through dry river bed. For comparable money, I'd look seriously at Radflo if you're considering going with King. More than a few guys have had issues with clunk on the Radflos, myself included, but changing out the seals solved the issue immediately and was a very simple fix.

 

[RyanEJ25]

I'm in the same boat, looking at icon or kings. Was hoping to hear from the OP after a few months to see what he thought.

I have had Fox shocks and they have ridden great. I went out a few trips and did a long road trip up to pismo beach this weekend. Smooth ride and great offroad.

 

[TheDozer]

I'm in the same boat, looking at icon or kings. Was hoping to hear from the OP after a few months to see what he thought.

I went Kings all the way around and I couldn't be happier. It still rides as plush as the limited did w/ stock XREAS but more responsive with less body roll. The ICON springs in the back did a good job, wasn't easy getting them in though. The front coil overs I only cranked up to 5 turns. Great balance of firm when you need it to be but nowhere near bone jarring I've experienced with other lifts. Completely plush over bumpy terrain and absorbs bumps like a boss. If I could do it all over again I'd put KING on my other vehicles. Well worth the money.

After a few months and almost 8-9k miles (Colorado and back from TX), the suspension only got better. I might give another 1-2 cranks on the front to offset the .25" settling. Trails are no problem now and impressive compared to XREAS stock. My only gripe is that my Total Chaos UCAs are a little squeaky but I need to squirt some grease in those zerk fittings whenever I get the chance.

Plus I should mention that I had a dumb question I emailed KING about during the install and they emailed back within a few hours and their technician gave me a call to ensure I didn't have any other questions. Amazing...

Let me know if you have any other questions or want pics of anything.

 

[Armandi]

Pics of the install? Considering the same exact setup.

 

[TheDozer]

Pics of the install? Considering the same exact setup.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/107166-what-did-you-do-your-5th-gen-today-1167.html#post2403842

 

[Jono.ful]

My only gripe is that my Total Chaos UCAs are a little squeaky but I need to squirt some grease in those zerk fittings whenever I get the chance.

check the uniballs for any slop/play, if they move up and down at all its time to replace them. I find they actually squeak more than the bushings when they start to wear

 

[Mkrespke]

I had them installed at a shop. I told them I want it leveled (mostly) without going over 2.5" so I wouldn't need UCAs. The backs didn't change. The front was raised 2". It's damn close to level. It doesn't look like anything is cranked on the shock.

As far as adjusting. I have seen two different things. I believe the 'correct' way is to take the shock apart. But I have also seen people just relieve pressure, and give a couple turns. Which I think is fine for smaller adjustments.

My remote reservoirs mount completely different on my 4Runner. Do yours mount where the stock sway bar mounts attach to the frame?

 

[TheDozer]

My remote reservoirs mount completely different on my 4Runner. Do yours mount where the stock sway bar mounts attach to the frame?

Looks like they didn't even move the shocks which = 1" with 0 turns (stock). 5 turns = 2" lift. Pretty sure that's right...