ICON suspension

[Catahoulabulldog]

I’m debating on putting ICON on my 06 v8 limited. I’m probably going to go with a stage 6. Anyone on here have experience with this suspension? I’m not planning on doing mountain climbing but next year the wife and I will be heading southwest to do some trails and camping hopefully full time so I’m just afraid we may hit a trail that starts out easy then find ourself in a situation where that stage 6 will be needed. Right now it’s sitting on Bilstein 5100’s with oem springs. Could I just upgrade my springs and still get through the nasty parts if needed or go with ICON setup just in case? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[andreylights]

I’m debating on putting ICON on my 06 v8 limited. I’m probably going to go with a stage 6. Anyone on here have experience with this suspension? I’m not planning on doing mountain climbing but next year the wife and I will be heading southwest to do some trails and camping hopefully full time so I’m just afraid we may hit a trail that starts out easy then find ourself in a situation where that stage 6 will be needed. Right now it’s sitting on Bilstein 5100’s with oem springs. Could I just upgrade my springs and still get through the nasty parts if needed or go with ICON setup just in case? Any info would be appreciated.

Do you already have armor / winch / traction boards? If not, I would recommend start with recovery stuff if you are concerned that you will get stuck camping alone. Also if you feel like the trail is getting too challenging -- you could always pick another line or turn around and find another trail.

I think it makes more sense to upgrade stuff when you clearly see what is it you missing and what is the problem. Upgrading something just in case may not be very effective. I am sure ICON set up will make it way more comfortable, will improve handling and articulation, remote resi would allow you to drive faster and such BUT its hard for me to imagine the situation where 4runner with 5100 is not moving forward but a 4runner with ICON is. But it is your money and your truck, so do whatever makes you happy.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Your 5100s will have the same amount of travel as the Icon front shocks. The Icons have adjustable lift, are rebuildable, and have more shock oil. The stage 6 is complete overkill and you can easily get by with cheaper stuff for basic trail riding.

I would get longer rear shocks, like Icon 2.0 or similar, or if you wanted maximum rear travel get a Metaltech long travel spec'd rear shock setup.

Other than that, depending on what your already have, bigger tires, and more armor.

 

[Catahoulabulldog]

I’ve got full skids from RCI so the armor is covered I think. The rest of the recovery gear you mentioned I will be getting as well minus the winch. Just put a new set of Nitto Ridge Grapplers on her. I was going to start with the suspension and the acquire everything else since I have about a year. What about the stage 4? Still overkill?

 

[andreylights]

I’ve got full skids from RCI so the armor is covered I think. The rest of the recovery gear you mentioned I will be getting as well minus the winch. Just put a new set of Nitto Ridge Grapplers on her. I was going to start with the suspension and the acquire everything else since I have about a year. What about the stage 4? Still overkill?

Fair enough. I would even say that Stage 3 is the one to go (the tubular, not billet). The difference is that stage 4 has remote res rear shocks which are designed to improve fading more than articulation.

 

[Catahoulabulldog]

Fair enough. I would even say that Stage 3 is the one to go (the tubular, not billet). The difference is that stage 4 has remote res rear shocks which are designed to improve fading more than articulation.

Yeah I’m thinking that stage 3 would definitely be sufficient. Since I don’t plan on doing any high speed trailblazing. But then again I may just say to heck with it and keep my 5100’s and upgrade my springs and uca’s.

 

[Catahoulabulldog]

Fair enough. I would even say that Stage 3 is the one to go (the tubular, not billet). The difference is that stage 4 has remote res rear shocks which are designed to improve fading more than articulation.

I guess one of my main concerns is alignment issues down the road once I do go with whatever stage I choose. That’s one of the reasons I was looking at a higher stage.

 

[andreylights]

I guess one of my main concerns is alignment issues down the road once I do go with whatever stage I choose. That’s one of the reasons I was looking at a higher stage.

You will get a UCA from stage 3 through 8 so its all the same. Talking about alignment there is a high chance your LCA bushings are shot, which will make it harder to set the camber, so check them as well, may be you would need to spend money on LCA instead of remote resis in stage 4.

 

[Catahoulabulldog]

You will get a UCA from stage 3 through 8 so its all the same. Talking about alignment there is a high chance your LCA bushings are shot, which will make it harder to set the camber, so check them as well, may be you would need to spend money on LCA instead of remote resis in stage 4.

I had it aligned about a year ago when I put new upper and lower ball joints and the Bilsteins and there were no alignment issues.

 

[Catahoulabulldog]

You will get a UCA from stage 3 through 8 so its all the same. Talking about alignment there is a high chance your LCA bushings are shot, which will make it harder to set the camber, so check them as well, may be you would need to spend money on LCA instead of remote resis in stage 4.

Remote reservoirs are out. They would be overkill. It’s going to be either stage 2 or 3.