ICON stage 5 going on this weekend Raleigh, NC

jbjones85

jbjones85

New member
Planning on installing my ICON stage 5 kit this weekend on my '15 Trail w/KDSS. Any last minute pointers or suggestions? I've read through most of the commonly referenced threads but always open to additional guidance.

If anyone who has done an install like this that is local wants to lend a hand i'm up for treating to some beer and pizza/wings/burgers/whatever.
 
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jbjones85 said:
Planning on installing my ICON stage 5 kit this weekend on my '15 Trail w/KDSS. Any last minute pointers or suggestions? I've read through most of the commonly referenced threads but always open to additional guidance.

If anyone who has done an install like this that is local wants to lend a hand i'm up for treating to some beer and pizza/wings/burgers/whatever.
Click to expand...

The hardest part is the rear springs but even that isn't too bad. You'll do great. Can't wait for the pics!
 
jbjones85 said:
Planning on installing my ICON stage 5 kit this weekend on my '15 Trail w/KDSS. Any last minute pointers or suggestions? I've read through most of the commonly referenced threads but always open to additional guidance.

If anyone who has done an install like this that is local wants to lend a hand i'm up for treating to some beer and pizza/wings/burgers/whatever.
Click to expand...

good luck maan. i just received my tracking number for the same kit as yours. make sure to post pictures of the install. i'll be doing mine soon. hopefully getting some pointers from you. lol
 
bimrunner said:
The hardest part is the rear springs but even that isn't too bad. You'll do great. Can't wait for the pics!
Click to expand...

I'm planning to take a ton to document the process, hopefully I don't forget to once i actually get into it. I pulled everything out of the boxes today. Seems simple enough the only thing i'm not to frailer with is the UCA's and getting the ball joints separated form the stock ones.
 
samsung said:
good luck maan. i just received my tracking number for the same kit as yours. make sure to post pictures of the install. i'll be doing mine soon. hopefully getting some pointers from you. lol
Click to expand...

I'll be sure to try to remember too.
 
jbjones85 said:
Any last minute pointers or suggestions? I've read through most of the commonly referenced threads but always open to additional guidance.
Click to expand...

It should be pretty easy.. Couple of quick pointers.
- Make sure to take the wheel speed sensor wires completely off in the front first. Remove all the brackets...

- For the rear springs you will need to articulate the axle... One side up and the other down... A bottle jack can be used between frame and axle to push it down further.

A trick to get the springs in and out easily. Strap them with the weight of the vehicle on. They will then come right out. Same can be done for install, but you need a spring compressor to compress, then strap them. Remove straps after weight of the vehicle back on them. Not required, but it makes it real easy.
 
wfo9 said:
It should be pretty easy.. Couple of quick pointers.
- Make sure to take the wheel speed sensor wires completely off in the front first. Remove all the brackets...

- For the rear springs you will need to articulate the axle... One side up and the other down... A bottle jack can be used between frame and axle to push it down further.

A trick to get the springs in and out easily. Strap them with the weight of the vehicle on. They will then come right out. Same can be done for install, but you need a spring compressor to compress, then strap them. Remove straps after weight of the vehicle back on them. Not required, but it makes it real easy.
Click to expand...

I thought about that with the springs. That is a great idea. i'll see if i can rent a spring compressor from the local auto parts store just in case.
 
just a few pictures of the kit (minus the rear arms) laid out and ready to go.
 

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jbjones85 said:
any tips? i'm doing it solo so anything to save a little time/effort is much welcomed.
Click to expand...
A jack under the sway bar itself, and some correctly sized pin punches to align the convenient holes in the swaybar and LCA make re-attaching the KDSS sway bar very easy. Air tools for the bolts make the job even easier.
 
jbjones85 said:
any tips? i'm doing it solo so anything to save a little time/effort is much welcomed.
Click to expand...

Jeremy556 said:
A jack under the sway bar itself, and some correctly sized pin punches to align the convenient holes in the swaybar and LCA make re-attaching the KDSS sway bar very easy. Air tools for the bolts make the job even easier.
Click to expand...

and ratchets to slowly bring it back into place. Keep a jack under the kdss piston so that it doesn't drop.

:party:
 
jbjones85 said:
I thought about that with the springs. That is a great idea. i'll see if i can rent a spring compressor from the local auto parts store just in case.
Click to expand...


Will be following this as well. Would ratchet straps work for spring compression or too much angle on the spring? (thus they would just slide when being tightened)

Found this a while back - might help to read through as well.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/154230-how-lift-installation-kdss-equipped-vehicles.html
 
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Also too, those big black brackets for the remote reservoirs in the front won't be used due to the KDSS valves on the Drivers Sode getting in the way. I used the included silver (zinc) brackets that have one bolt hole and sort of have the shape of a flattened triangle.

Also, the rear reservoirs should be placed against the frame rail towards the rear of the truck, partially covered by the rear wheel well.

Oh and one more thing...removing the rear track bar makes it so much easier to droop the rear axle, but that KDSS piston (both front and rear) is a PITA to get back in place, so try without removing them first!

Good luck and post pictures!
 
transworldmoto said:
Also too, those big black brackets for the remote reservoirs in the front won't be used due to the KDSS valves on the Drivers Sode getting in the way. I used the included silver (zinc) brackets that have one bolt hole and sort of have the shape of a flattened triangle.

Also, the rear reservoirs should be placed against the frame rail towards the rear of the truck, partially covered by the rear wheel well.

Oh and one more thing...removing the rear track bar makes it so much easier to droop the rear axle, but that KDSS piston (both front and rear) is a PITA to get back in place, so try without removing them first!

Good luck and post pictures!
Click to expand...

Interesting. i'll have to double check but I don't think I got any type of other bracket with the front. I did the silver ones you mention (I think) with the rear shocks though. Do they look the same?
 
wfo9 said:
It should be pretty easy.. Couple of quick pointers.
- Make sure to take the wheel speed sensor wires completely off in the front first. Remove all the brackets...

- For the rear springs you will need to articulate the axle... One side up and the other down... A bottle jack can be used between frame and axle to push it down further.

A trick to get the springs in and out easily. Strap them with the weight of the vehicle on. They will then come right out. Same can be done for install, but you need a spring compressor to compress, then strap them. Remove straps after weight of the vehicle back on them. Not required, but it makes it real easy.
Click to expand...

Another option is to loosen the bolts on the upper links, this lets the axle drop out much lower to get the springs in. Be sure to loosen all wires going to the rear axle as not to stretch them.
 
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