Icon VS 2.0 - Bilstein 5100

[wkeryder4]

Hey everyone, I'm trying to find out the specs on the Icon vs 2.0 compared to the 5100's. I'm thinking about upgrading to Icons from my bilstein 5100's because I'm pretty sure that with the Icon 2" coils and 1.5" spacer I'm nearing the limit of the 5100's. Any info or advice would be appreciated.

 

[Troymclure]

The Icon's are much better shocks than the bilsteins. They are rebuildable and tunable meaning you can fine tune them (well a qualified shop can) to your truck and how you want them to feel. They also will feel better off the shelf since they are designed to be run with up to 3" of lift, so they wont bottom out as easily as the bilstiens over bumps and such.

 

[Rocket61]

I've never ran 5100s in the back but I have nothing but good things to say about my Icons.

 

[Keith Griffiths]

Sharing much of the same race winning technology and features as the Heavy-Duty Series Shocks, the 5100 Series Shocks come in extended lengths to fit Jeeps with suspension lifts. The result is a smoother ride and increased control for on and off-road use. Limited Lifetime Warranty.

 

[wkeryder4]

The Icon's are much better shocks than the bilsteins. They are rebuildable and tunable meaning you can fine tune them (well a qualified shop can) to your truck and how you want them to feel. They also will feel better off the shelf since they are designed to be run with up to 3" of lift, so they wont bottom out as easily as the bilstiens over bumps and such.

Can you elaborate a little more on how they are tunable? I understand that the remote reservoir version can be upgraded to a CDC valve to fine tune the dampening but I'm not familiar with how the standard shock setup can be tuned. Would that be something I would need to discuss with the factory prior to purchase?

 

[Troymclure]

Can you elaborate a little more on how they are tunable? I understand that the remote reservoir version can be upgraded to a CDC valve to fine tune the dampening but I'm not familiar with how the standard shock setup can be tuned. Would that be something I would need to discuss with the factory prior to purchase?

Sure. In the shock there are different sized shims that are stacked on both sides of the piston of the shock. By using different sizes and arrangements of shims, you can tune how the oil goes through the shock piston on the compression stroke, as well as the rebound or droop stroke. (See picture). However, this is not easily done by the average DIY'er as the shock must be disassembled and tuned by someone who knows what they're doing. However, getting it done is not expensive at most places. I had mine tuned for $60 and got fresh shock oil as well.

 

[ebg18t]

Can you elaborate a little more on how they are tunable? I understand that the remote reservoir version can be upgraded to a CDC valve to fine tune the dampening but I'm not familiar with how the standard shock setup can be tuned. Would that be something I would need to discuss with the factory prior to purchase?

These higher end shocks provide the dealer/end user a few options for tweaking. As [MENTION=95421]Troymclure[/MENTION] mentioned the shims are the primary way the valving is changed. The psi for the nitrogen added can be increased/decreased as well as the viscosity of the oil used. Once you add the remote resi and Adjustment knob the end user can turn a knob that restricts the oil flow which primarily changes the rebound, compression is changed very slightly.

At the end of the day for you the Icon shock is a smoother better performing shock.

 

[wkeryder4]

Sure. In the shock there are different sized shims that are stacked on both sides of the piston of the shock. By using different sizes and arrangements of shims, you can tune how the oil goes through the shock piston on the compression stroke, as well as the rebound or droop stroke. (See picture). However, this is not easily done by the average DIY'er as the shock must be disassembled and tuned by someone who knows what they're doing. However, getting it done is not expensive at most places. I had mine tuned for $60 and got fresh shock oil as well.

These higher end shocks provide the dealer/end user a few options for tweaking. As [MENTION=95421]Troymclure[/MENTION] mentioned the shims are the primary way the valving is changed. The psi for the nitrogen added can be increased/decreased as well as the viscosity of the oil used. Once you add the remote resi and Adjustment knob the end user can turn a knob that restricts the oil flow which primarily changes the rebound, compression is changed very slightly.

At the end of the day for you the Icon shock is a smoother better performing shock.

Thanks for the quick responses guys, that makes a lot more sense now. Looks like that will be next on my list.

 

[Rocket61]

Thanks for the quick responses guys, that makes a lot more sense now. Looks like that will be next on my list.

They're also great right out of the box :wink2:

 

[wkeryder4]

They're also great right out of the box :wink2:

I'll probably run them right out of the box and make adjustments if necessary, but it's nice to have that option.

 

[Runner27]

The Icon are great. I had them for more than a year now, installed right out of the box, and they are perfect. I think if you buy the one marketed for 4runner, they are pre-tuned to fit our trucks (I could be wrong though). One thing I realize is that the Icon perform exceptionally well at high speed but not so well at low speed. If you hit a pot hole at 25 mph vs 40+ mph, you can see the difference.

 

[Tooltime19]

Great info and picture of the internal shock valving shims. One thing I can say regarding my Bilsteins is that the front rebound valving is too light off for my personal liking. That being said, I really didnt expect to have this rig this long, or I would have purchased the Icon or something similar that could be rebuilt to suit my specific needs up front.
And I think thats the point here is that if someone is a true enthusiast then like me, we cant just leave well enough alone. lol My Bilsteins are great for general everyday off roading street ect, but like many on here with the Icons, Fox's, Kings ect they have that ability to really fine tune their respective vehicle to exactly what they like. Good luck and have fun! Post pics

 

[Rocket61]

My T4R is a daily driver so unfortunately I don't have the luxury of fine tuning shocks and having her on jack stands for a week.

 

[ebg18t]

My T4R is a daily driver so unfortunately I don't have the luxury of fine tuning shocks and having her on jack stands for a week.

You get used to it after a while. The Ohlins on my Audi have to get rebuilt every year so it sits on jack stands 2-3 weeks a year. The truck has had the Fox's rebuilt 2x in the past 2 years. Usually 2weeks every time. The Ducati has been on stands since May while I wait for Ohlins to get seals in from Europe. I am just used to having cars on jack stands for weeks at a time.LOL

 

[Rocket61]

You get used to it after a while. The Ohlins on my Audi have to get rebuilt every year so it sits on jack stands 2-3 weeks a year. The truck has had the Fox's rebuilt 2x in the past 2 years. Usually 2weeks every time. The Ducati has been on stands since May while I wait for Ohlins to get seals in from Europe. I am just used to having cars on jack stands for weeks at a time.LOL

Sounds like a good reason for me to get a Ducati :evil:

Why did you have to get your foxes rebuilt?

 

[ebg18t]

Sounds like a good reason for me to get a Ducati :evil:

Why did you have to get your foxes rebuilt?

I needed more compression/rebound in the rear shocks.

Then a big branch caught one of the stainless lines on the front resi, when I backed up to get around the tree stump it snapped the line fitting into the resi. Wasn't my best day driving, I should have known better.

 

[Jeremy556]

Can you elaborate a little more on how they are tunable? I understand that the remote reservoir version can be upgraded to a CDC valve to fine tune the dampening but I'm not familiar with how the standard shock setup can be tuned. Would that be something I would need to discuss with the factory prior to purchase?

They are tunable in that they can be rebuilt, and you can change the valving by changing the shim stack. You will need Icon's needle fitting to recharge the nitrogen for their shocks, as they don't use a schraeder valve.

As far as I know, Icon only offers 2.5" front coilovers, and besides the large cost difference, you have a pair of spherical bearings on each shock which will wear out often and need replacing. I do mine about every 11 months, as one shits the bed.

The Icon 2.0 rear shocks aren't much different than 5100s. Both 2" monotubes with digressive valving and rubber bushings. If you travel much on gravel roads you will destroy the Icon's in short order without using their "shin guards" as rocks kicked up by the front tires will pit the rear shock shafts and cause the seals to fail.

 

[Rocket61]

They are tunable in that they can be rebuilt, and you can change the valving by changing the shim stack. You will need Icon's needle fitting to recharge the nitrogen for their shocks, as they don't use a schraeder valve.

As far as I know, Icon only offers 2.5" front coilovers, and besides the large cost difference, you have a pair of spherical bearings on each shock which will wear out often and need replacing. I do mine about every 11 months, as one shits the bed.

The Icon 2.0 rear shocks aren't much different than 5100s. Both 2" monotubes with digressive valving and rubber bushings. If you travel much on gravel roads you will destroy the Icon's in short order without using their "shin guards" as rocks kicked up by the front tires will pit the rear shock shafts and cause the seals to fail.

You raise a good point, I do take gravel a lot. What's the best set of shin guards out there?

 

[Greydog]

I had a convo with a Bilstein contact in CA about 18 months ago, he stated the 5100's for our 4runners are rebuildable/tuneable (not by design, but possible). I think it was $50-$75 per shock for rebuild/tuning.

I haven't attempted this yet, but plan to pick up some lightly used or new 5100s soon and ship them out for perhaps a 30% bump in compression and rebound, if that is within parameters for the internals.

SO, not sure if his statement was 100% true, but will report back when I have more to go on.

 

[wkeryder4]

I'm more concerned with whether they allow more travel than the 5100's. Now that I've added the 1.5" spacer I can feel what feels like the shock bottoming out when it is not compressed. Ie. coming off a speed bump. It may have to do with the rebound of the shock but I get a loud thud if I don't slowly walk the truck over something as small as a speed bump.

Update: So after doing some research, the Bilstein 5100 - 33-187174 - I am currently running have an extended length of 23.5". With my truck sitting on level pavement the shock is at 23" (maybe .25" less). Which leaves me with about a half inch of down travel before bottoming out. This explains the thud I am getting over small bumps. I can't find any information on the Icons as far as extended & compressed lengths so I have emailed out to Icon and I'm waiting on a response. If anyone has the specs on the Icon 2.0 VS shocks I would appreciate it.