ICON Vehicle Dynamics 1996 – 2002 Toyota 4Runner Suspension Systems

[Mgyver1]

So they are selling Taco coilovers for the 4Runner or did they change the top cap to match the 4Runner bucket?

Most coilovers sold use a top hat designed for the Tacoma. Since you can rotate the bottom independent from the top you can twist the coilover to fit the 4Runner bolt pattern which is the same as a Taco just clocked (as much as my pic above shows). Since the top part of the coilover that bolts in to the top hat is a uniball joint it is able to move, but there is debate as to wether it has enough articulation to move properly or that it may be binding or causing premature wear. I believe the reason Icon makes a 4R specific top hat for the remote resi coilovers is the same reason Radflo does which is because the hose fittings hit the side of the coil bucket when they're rotated over to the Tacoma clocked position.

 

[Mgyver1]

To retrofit the top hats for a 4Runner, couldn't you just drill new holes and drive new studs through the top hats? Mine look like wheel studs that are pressed through the bottom of the top hat. That way you'd be messing with the top hat instead of the truck's coil bucket.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Just curious, since Icon obviously makes 4Runner specific top hats, why do they only put them on the external reservoir coilovers instead of all coilovers sold for a 4Runner? I get they CAN work on a 4Runner, but if that were the case then why not make the 4Runners sit straight and have the Taco guys deal with the angle?

Because they sell tacoma kits 10 to 1 to the 4runner. The external res coilovers and IFP shocks use a different hat.

So they are selling Taco coilovers for the 4Runner or did they change the top cap to match the 4Runner bucket?

As I said in a previous post.


The Stage 3 and up kits feature either the 58716 or 58716C coilover, which is specific to the 96-02 4Runner (Tacoma is 58715 or 58715C) and uses a completely different top hat.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Since the top part of the coilover that bolts in to the top hat is a heim joint it is able to move, but there is debate as to wether it has enough articulation to move properly or that it may be binding or causing premature wear.

Even the standard shock will provide full travel at lock to lock on the 4runner. The debate as to whether it provides more wear with this design; it may cause that, but you driving style and useage will be a much larger factor.

 

[sn0wrunner]

They did that for the tundra/sequioa and tacoma/4runner setup, but not specific for the taco and the 4runner.

Sorry, I'm confused a little now. So the Top mount on the Icon's is machined for both a Tacoma and 4Runner or it isn't? Or are you saying Icons top mount is machined for two of the three setups? I've seen one in person before, but just can't remember.

Edit: I think I get what you're saying now. They have two mounting options and the they are assuming the Tacoma/4Runner use the same one and the Tundra/Sequioa use the other? So they should really just add a 3rd option specific to the 4runner.

 

[MTD]

Edit: I think I get what you're saying now. They have two mounting options and the they are assuming the Tacoma/4Runner use the same one and the Tundra/Sequioa use the other? So they should really just add a 3rd option specific to the 4runner.

Yep that's it. But like I said it may not be worth it for them to add the cost to the part for the small improvement that it would make. It depends how much they care about continuous improvement.

 

[MTD]

Well Mr. [MENTION=94545]MTD[/MENTION] how bout you print us up some 4Runner top hats. I'll take one for my sway-a-ways

Haha I will get right on that!*













*no warranty or liability is implied on creator of this product. Truck may be unstable and will no doubt lose control with the use of this product. complete and catastrophic product failure is imminent. use at your own risk YOLO

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Yep that's it. But like I said it may not be worth it for them to add the cost to the part for the small improvement that it would make. It depends how much they care about continuous improvement.

If an end user wants to achieve all out maximum performance, they would be using the reservoir systems anyway.

 

[JWaldz]

If an end user wants to achieve all out maximum performance, they would be using the reservoir systems anyway.

Yes, but 75% of the 3rd gen owners here on the site don't need them. They get them anyways, but they don't need them.

So why not make the most affordable shocks accommodate our trucks correctly? People trust companies like ICON, Kings, Camburg, Sway-A-Way, etc.. to produce products designed for our vehicles. So when they say they work, we believe them. Yet, something like this comes up and leaves a bad vibe with customers and possible customers.

Like I said, which goes along with what I just mentioned, most users wont ever use their trucks hard enough to see sustained damage to the coilover b/c of the whole clocking ordeal. Which is probably why these companies never cared to look into redesigning it specifically for our trucks. As far as I know, ICON is the only company I've seen to accommodate the 3rd gen specifically but you have to shell out the extra ponies for it, which doesn't seem right.

 

[jgilbreath]

I have been leaning towards getting Kings and this has me wondering if their 4runner specific model has a top hat designed for the 4runner.

King has the following part numbers:
Tacoma coilover - 25001-151
4runner coilover - 25001-333

Downsouth motorsports lists the 151 online for the 4runner, but I am wondering if because of this issue it would be worth looking into getting the 333 specific for the 4runner (if it has the different top hat). I think I will email king.

 

[jgilbreath]

Attached is a picture of the top of king part #25001-151 which is listed on king's site as fitting 96-04 tacomas. DSM lists this part for 3rd gen 4runner. Makes me wary of purchasing when comparing to the top hat pictures on the previous page.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Attached is a picture of the top of king part #25001-151 which is listed on king's site as fitting 96-04 tacomas. DSM lists this part for 3rd gen 4runner. Makes me wary of purchasing when comparing to the top hat pictures on the previous page.

Not sure why you keep bringing up DSM in a Total Auto thread. If you would check our listings you would see the correct part numbers. King makes a specific shock for the 96-02 4runner, its a new release! So rest assured you are getting the correct shock when you purchase from us.

Check out the link here - OEM Performance Series - Total Automotive Performance - Your Source for Auto Parts and Accessories

 

[sn0wrunner]

Any plans to add Toytec products to your line up?

 

[jgilbreath]

Sorry, I was not aware that TAP carried Kings. I have made several purchases from TAP in the past and have always been very pleased with the service.

Thanks for the link. Do the Kings have the 4runner specific tophat design like the resi icons, or the tacoma configuration?

Edit: The link provided lists part #25001-133, I think that should be 333 for the 4runner.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

We've tried to, but they seem to prefer to work directly with customers. We will continue to add the brands you guys want, and ToyTec is one near the top of our list.

 

[Singtoe]

So how much is it?

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Sorry, I was not aware that TAP carried Kings. I have made several purchases from TAP in the past and have always been very pleased with the service.

Thanks for the link. Do the Kings have the 4runner specific tophat design like the resi icons, or the tacoma configuration?

The King is a non-res shock, specific to the 4Runner. It has its own components, a different length and a specific mount.

Glad you are happy with the service. If there is ever anything you cant find on our site, just shoot us a quick PM and we will get you the information you need. We are here to help!

 

[snivilous]

Everyone is also ASSUMING they haven't been designed for the clocking over. I've only seen one person ever complain (the guy who posted previously) about them not being "correctly" clocked to suit our trucks, which personally isn't enough to base anything off of. Honestly I doubt there is even enough (if any) stress increase to make any difference, and even if there possibly is I bet the system is so overdesigned it still wouldn't change anything. Where I work we have 200% margin on everything, which means you can load something up 3x what it was intended for and it will be totally fine--which I bet the same goes for Icon. After all, as I said, I've seen one person ever complain about this design feature; if something was actually affecting performance many people would be saying something most likely.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

So how much is it?

What item? We've discussed so many different setups in this thread at this point Im having trouble keeping up

 

[sn0wrunner]

We've tried to, but they seem to prefer to work directly with customers. We will continue to add the brands you guys want, and ToyTec is one near the top of our list.

I understand. It's a double edged sword. They are a big competitor (at least in the Toyota 4x4 category) that also happens to have their own product line. I don't know much about Total Auto but if you guys are a full shop that does installs also, I'm sure Toytec can provide you with a ton of referrals.