King coilovers or Icons?

[gago1101]

I am thinking of changing my current setup with either King/SAW/Radflo vs Icons. As I am trying to learn more about this, I have become more confused. I have heard that the Icons ride much stiffer compared to the Kings, and the reason being that they have digressive valving. Now this is where it gets confusing.

Reading many articles about shock design, one would conclude that digressive valving is a new design and better than progressive valving. In contrast, offroading forums swear with the progressive design stating that all the desert race shocks are progressive.

However, I have not been able to find any actual comments and explanation on why would one be better or worse for say rock crawling, fast desert runs, street drivability and handling. My assumption is that digressive valving is not so good for fast desert runs since the suspension will bottom out more readily compared to the progressive setup. Would that be correct?

I don't like my current bilsteins since they are stiffer than the original shocks, even though it does decrease the front dive and improve handling on turns. The stock shocks would glide over rocks nicely when driving fast offroad.

That said, it seems Kings would be the way to go for me, but I do want some input from people who are running the kings. How is the handling affected compared to the stock setup? Softer or stiffer? More or less front dive? More or less body roll on turns?

 

[TOY2G]

I am thinking of changing my current setup with either King/SAW/Radflo vs Icons. As I am trying to learn more about this, I have become more confused. I have heard that the Icons ride much stiffer compared to the Kings, and the reason being that they have digressive valving. Now this is where it gets confusing.

Reading many articles about shock design, one would conclude that digressive valving is a new design and better than progressive valving. In contrast, offroading forums swear with the progressive design stating that all the desert race shocks are progressive.

However, I have not been able to find any actual comments and explanation on why would one be better or worse for say rock crawling, fast desert runs, street drivability and handling. My assumption is that digressive valving is not so good for fast desert runs since the suspension will bottom out more readily compared to the progressive setup. Would that be correct?

I don't like my current bilsteins since they are stiffer than the original shocks, even though it does decrease the front dive and improve handling on turns. The stock shocks would glide over rocks nicely when driving fast offroad.

That said, it seems Kings would be the way to go for me, but I do want some input from people who are running the kings. How is the handling affected compared to the stock setup? Softer or stiffer? More or less front dive? More or less body roll on turns?

Having run King, Icon, Toytec, Doetsch, and even Radflow on a buggy. I can tell you from experience the Kings handled the best followed close by Icon. I like my shocks to have a fast rebound and a firm ride, so in that aspect the Icon may take the cake, but based on suspension in general, handling, shock absorption, and durability my vote is King.

That said, I am running Toytec on my new build so my opinion may change.

 

[Gabex35]

I've had Icon and King and prefer the Kings. The icons were nice at speed offroad but how often are you really doing that? The kings are great everywhere. I live the cushiness of the king, makes me feel like I'm still in a nice SUV while knowing I can pull off the side off the road and bomb down a wash. If you go kings, don't cheap out on the non compression adjusting models.

 

[MEMO CAMPOS]

I've had Icon and King and prefer the Kings. The icons were nice at speed offroad but how often are you really doing that? The kings are great everywhere. I live the cushiness of the king, makes me feel like I'm still in a nice SUV while knowing I can pull off the side off the road and bomb down a wash. If you go kings, don't cheap out on the non compression adjusting models.

I couldn't agree anymore! I my self have Kings on my T4R and icons on my 05 tacoma. I must say at first I enjoyed the stiffness of the icons on my tacoma but eventually got a little old. My T4R however rides so damn buttery smooth that I wish I had that kind if ride in my taco. But when I do need or crave that sporty firm ride I just turn up the compression via the built in adjusters. Like GabeX mentioned don't skimp out and go for the compression adjuster models, you'll thank your self later.

 

[gago1101]

I couldn't agree anymore! I my self have Kings on my T4R and icons on my 05 tacoma. I must say at first I enjoyed the stiffness of the icons on my tacoma but eventually got a little old. My T4R however rides so damn buttery smooth that I wish I had that kind if ride in my taco. But when I do need or crave that sporty firm ride I just turn up the compression via the built in adjusters. Like GabeX mentioned don't skimp out and go for the compression adjuster models, you'll thank your self later.

Thanks for the info, it seems King would be the one for me.

Does your Kings have the standard valving? When speaking to King, they mentioned they have standard and more specialized valving depending on your needs. And do you know what spring rate the Kings run, I forgot to ask them?

 

[MEMO CAMPOS]

Thanks for the info, it seems King would be the one for me.



Does your Kings have the standard valving? When speaking to King, they mentioned they have standard and more specialized valving depending on your needs. And do you know what spring rate the Kings run, I forgot to ask them?

Yes I got the standard valving I don't need anything specific. Spring rate on T4R's comes with 550 lb springs.

 

[gago1101]

Yes I got the standard valving I don't need anything specific. Spring rate on T4R's comes with 550 lb springs.

Another quick question, have you changed your UCAs? I am thinking of adjusting the preload to get about 1.8-2 inches of lift at the most and not sure if I will need aftermarket UCAs.

 

[chmura]

Icon. They are stiffer than stock shocks which I like and is necessary for a lifted vehicle IMO.

Kings apparently you cannot adjust them while they are installed. A big no no for me.

I recently adjusted my front coilovers on my icons. Took me less than 15 minutes for the adjustment on both sides. Very easy and effortless. If I had to remove the entire coilover in order to adjust I would be very upset!

 

[Rubberdown]

Another quick question, have you changed your UCAs? I am thinking of adjusting the preload to get about 1.8-2 inches of lift at the most and not sure if I will need aftermarket UCAs.

I've been running mine with stock uca and bout 2 inches of lift for a while now and no issues.

Icon. They are stiffer than stock shocks which I like.

Kings apparently you cannot adjust them while they are installed. A big no no for me.

Ehh... People make a big deal out of this but two things:

you can pop the lower coilover bolt out in less than a minute and pull the bottom of the coilover out of the LCA and adjust to your hearts content.

Who adjusts coilovers after you get your ride height dialed in? I haven't touched them, and I asked a couple buddies and they said the same thing. Every time you change the ride height you need an alignment, so I would bet most people set them and leave them.

 

[GiGi's 1996]

How much do the Kings run?
I can ask this question today....since it is Mother's Day. Just lining up gift for 2015......haha.......364 days to lay the hints on.

 

[MEMO CAMPOS]

Another quick question, have you changed your UCAs? I am thinking of adjusting the preload to get about 1.8-2 inches of lift at the most and not sure if I will need aftermarket UCAs.

Yes I do run an Icon uca and have about 2.5" of lift dialed into mine. The adjusting is a bit of a pain but most of us only do it once.

 

[gago1101]

Icon. They are stiffer than stock shocks which I like and is necessary for a lifted vehicle IMO.

Kings apparently you cannot adjust them while they are installed. A big no no for me.

I recently adjusted my front coilovers on my icons. Took me less than 15 minutes for the adjustment on both sides. Very easy and effortless. If I can to remove the entire coilover in order to adjust I would be very upset!

I like the idea of being able to change the height on the fly, but the stiffness is the reason I am trying to upgrade my current Bilsteins in the first place. I have thought about the Icons hard though.

 

[gago1101]

Yes I do run an Icon uca and have about 2.5" of lift dialed into mine. The adjusting is a bit of a pain but most of us only do it once.

Besides being important for alignment for higher than 2 inch lift, would the UCAs provide any extra travel? Even if it is 1 inch, I still may consider changing them. I am thinking either Icon or TC.

 

[Rubberdown]

Besides being important for alignment for higher than 2 inch lift, would the UCAs provide any extra travel? Even if it is 1 inch, I still may consider changing them. I am thinking either Icon or TC.

One thing I did notice with stock uca is they limit your droop due to the ball joint. If you have the money I would go ahead and throw on some uca at the same time. But don't think you have to.

 

[MEMO CAMPOS]

Besides being important for alignment for higher than 2 inch lift, would the UCAs provide any extra travel? Even if it is 1 inch, I still may consider changing them. I am thinking either Icon or TC.

I think we all would kill for an inch but it might be less than that. Alignment reasons and strength would be the main reason and that little bit of extra droop.

 

[Rubberdown]

Way way way more likely to bend a spindle than an upper control arm. Ask me how I know.

 

[Jeremy556]

Way way way more likely to bend a spindle than an upper control arm. Ask me how I know.

I managed to bend UCA, LCA, spindle, rack, half shaft, taco rim, and split new Duratrac :cry2:

Besides some extra strength and a little more down travel, you also get some extra clearance near the wheel/tire. On the negative column, you get more noise/vibration from the poly bushings and uniball, plus greatly increased maintenance.

 

[Rubberdown]

Holy crap! I thought I had really destroyed mine. What the heck did you hit?! That makes me feel better about my screw up. Sorry you had that happer man. Did you go camburg long travel or something neat to offset the heartache of messing it up?

 

[Jeremy556]

Holy crap! I thought I had really destroyed mine. What the heck did you hit?! That makes me feel better about my screw up. Sorry you had that happer man. Did you go camburg long travel or something neat to offset the heartache of messing it up?

A few weeks after buying it, hit an unseen hole at speed that swallowed the front left wheel. It was (mostly) put back to stock, then I started modding.

 

[sroodtuo]

For those of you with Kings- I just got off the phone with King and was told that they do not have a bolt on application for a 2013 4runner with KDSS. The rep said he consulted with the engineering dept and the engineers were the ones who provided him with the info he have me.

My question is this- what model numbers (front and rear) are you running on which version of 4runner? Any issues with mounting of coilovers, shocks, or reservoirs?

I want to check back in with King based upon the information provided.