Icon Stage 6 Installed Today, I Have a Few Lift/Alignment Questions

[JimJr15]

I just had an Icon/Metal Tech Stage 6 Tubular Kit installed today on my 2018 4Runner ORP (650 mIles on her).

The kit utilized Icon Tubular UCAs. Alignment specs are attached.


My questions are:

I thought with the aftermarket UCAs, they should have easily been able to exceed 3.5* Caster?

The steering, while centering itself on large turns, self centers to an extent, but does not go all the way to full center as my 2015 did and the 2018 did prior to the lift installation. Is this due to the alignment numbers below, or are the Uniball on the UCAS tight because they're new and will they free up a little?

The race car driver in me would prefer to see those camber numbers on the negative side, does this matter?

 

[RedSled]

I was wondering the same thing about mine, i do not really know what i should have. I guess we can compare.

 

[RedSled]

This is my set up.

 

[mrfobbyaccent]

I just got done installing my icon stage 4 kit and I am having very similar issues to what you are experiencing.

For starters, the icon uniball upper control arms don't have any caster adjustability. The way they are built is supposed to push your caster forward, hence the reason why the arms are so angled.

I am also in the same boat as you when it comes to steering. When I first got the kit on, my steering wheel would hardly re-center itself after making turns, but after driving it for a couple of days, it is slowly starting to come back to normal. It isn't as close to what it was prior to the icon lift but at least it's a little better. Unfortunately, I don't think it will ever feel like stock ever again.

I also talked to my buddy who just installed some king coilovers with some total chaos UCA's and he told me that he is going through the same issue with his steering.

Prior to my icon lift, i had bilstein 5100's with my stock UCA's and they didn't have this issue, so I would say it is definitely due to the uniball UCA's and not your alignment.

I must say, after I got my car aligned, the steering started feeling better. I would bring it to a shop that specializes in lifting cars for an alignment and try to get the caster and camber closer together, i.e. 3.5 caster and 0 camber on both sides of the vehicle. I have attached a picture of my alignment below. Hopefully this helps.

 

[MossJenks]

I don't know why your steering feels the way it feels but you're going to have to specifically ask for something different in your alignment if you want something different. Those numbers are fairly perfect. Personally I'd want the camber closer to zero but those numbers are well within spec with a little cross-camber to the left built in to account for the crown of the road. Caster wise you're right where you should be on the "fat" end of the spec. The difference between 3.4 and 3.6 deg in caster is negligible. It's basically the same as RedSled and half a degree MORE than mrfobbyaccent. Your toe numbers are all the same.

You could try asking them to zero out the camber and try to get some more caster to help with self-centering. I'm not sure at what point you might get tire rubbing but otherwise you won't hurt anything by running more caster than spec.

 

[nb rob]

my caster also varies by 0.2, and the alignment tech mentioned it to be beforehand to account for the crown of the road. I live in the whillywhacks, so it made sense for me. The alignment tech was very knowledgeable, so I took his advice, and I'm glad I did.

 

[Kenstaroni]

I was able to get 4.1 on caster with Icon Stage 2. When it was first on the rack they could only get 3.8 on one side but after messing with it for a few they got 4.1. Maybe take it back after the suspension settles and see if you can get some better numbers.

On another note my Icon suspension was making a creaking noise up front. Not a uni-ball squeak, this was different. After 3 days on the trail it no longer makes any noise and has softened up some. It's really nice now. Grease must have finally found its way to the right spot with all the flexing..lol

 

[JimJr15]

Since posting I've found a bunch of threads about Uniball UCAS being tight when new.

I'm going to drive it and see if they wear in a bit. It already feels a little better after 50 miles.

It's wearing the Winter Falkens now, in a few months I'm going to mount some muds on my FN rims and probably raise the front another inch and realign.

That said, I love the new ride of the Icon /Metal Tech system so far and I haven't even played with shock settings yet.

I've always been an F350 guy, but God I love the 4Runners!!!!

 

[PeoplecallmeIan]

Same with mine. I don't think it's an issue but it would be nice if I didn't have to adjust my steering wheel with every micro movement. I have the tubular UCA with the delta joint.

 

[DesertCanyons]

ICON UCA with Delta Joint

Same with mine. I don't think it's an issue but it would be nice if I didn't have to adjust my steering wheel with every micro movement. I have the tubular UCA with the delta joint.

Did you lube the grease fitting on top of the Delta Joint?

I have the same ICON tubular UCA with the Delta Joint that I'll be installing this weekend. I think with the sealed Delta Joint and a grease fitting on top that this ball joint should be bullet-proof. The zerk fitting is a low profile fitting that requires a thin tapered injector tip for the grease gun to lube it. I got one at Pep Boys for $5.

I'll be installing the ICON tubular Stage 7 lift package this weekend starting on Saturday morning (1/20/2018). Come by if you want to see the install process and help for a while. I could use two pairs of hands for a few of the steps.
[email protected]

 

[PeoplecallmeIan]

Did you lube the grease fitting on top of the Delta Joint?

I have the same ICON tubular UCA with the Delta Joint that I'll be installing this weekend. I think with the sealed Delta Joint and a grease fitting on top that this ball joint should be bullet-proof. The zerk fitting is a low profile fitting that requires a thin tapered injector tip for the grease gun to lube it. I got one at Pep Boys for $5.

I'll be installing the ICON tubular Stage 7 lift package this weekend starting on Saturday morning (1/20/2018). Come by if you want to see the install process and help for a while. I could use two pairs of hands for a few of the steps.
[email protected]

The delta's are nice and come pre-greased already (I think). I should hit it with a bit more. I would've loved to help but I'm going to Joshua Tree this weekend. I'm always down to wheel though. Hit me up if you want to test that bad boy set up in Barstow or any local trails! Some high speed whoops would be awesome. Good luck with the install. It's pretty straight forward. It took me 2 days kind of solo with a couple of hours of those with help. Looking forward to seeing some pics man.