No/Low Lift Icon Suspension?

[Canazes9]

I've been thinking about the suspension on my wife's 2013 SR5 T4R. My wife has agreed she wants sliders and a solid AT/MT tire. When it came to lift, she doesn't really want any. She's petite, feels the vehicle is pretty capable at stock ride height and doesn't want any significant increase in vehicle height for climbing in and out of the truck. She does feel the factory suspension is a little soft. She knows it's going to be tough to upgrade the suspension w/ zero lift.

I have two Tacoma's, stock they have virtually identical ride heights to the T4R. At one time, she was using my 07 DCSB Tacoma Sport as her daily driver when it was set-up w/ Bilstein 5100's set at 0.85" and she liked that. She is OK w/ my current Tacoma that is lifted 1.6" w/ Eibach springs and 5100's at 0 setting, but draws the line there - no more. So the obvious choice is a set of 5100's with the fronts set at 0.85" in the front, factory springs all the way around. I know this set-up will be an improvement over the factory setting, will be the ride height she wants and be slightly firmer.

Then I started thinking about the Icon suspension that I really wanted and I begin to wonder. What if I buy the Icon front coil overs and set them to their lowest setting to get about 1" lift in the front and combined that with the Icon rear shocks and factory springs? I called Icon and discussed it briefly with them and was told that there are some people running that set-up and it does produce a very nice ride quality on and off road. The only drawback was the factory rear coils will still be noticeably soft in comparison to the front coil overs.

Earlier this evening, I was reading an old thread about rear coils and I was reminded Deaver used to make custom coil springs. I am thinking of perhaps getting a Deaver custom coil ~12% stiffer than stock (or whatever Icon recommends - will discuss w/ Icon before I order any custom springs) maybe 1/2" taller than stock. Should look good w/ the front coil over set somewhere between 1 and 1.25", provide a much improved ride both on road and off, keep stress off the CV joints, easily align w/ the factory UCA's and maintain the ride height that my wife wants.

Anybody done this on a 5th Gen T4R? Would like to hear from anyone that's done this or similar. Any opinions on the rear coil spring rate/height would be appreciated also.

Thanks,

David

 

[KCcarguy]

Fj coils will work and be slightly stiffer. But I'm not sure how much.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

I'm in nearly the same boat. I've got a 2013 TE on the way. My FJC has an Icon stage one with extended travel up front, springs and shocks in rear and I love the ride and the lift (about 3"). My wife hates getting in and out of it though and we have a 1 year old now as well. I've already thought about going with 5100's front and rear, but would live Icons again! She will be pissed if I lift it again.

 

[thebwlife]

I'd just do the 5100's all around. You are really over thinking this. Save the money cause at that height you'll only be doing mild stuff anyway.

 

[Intruder]

Then I started thinking about the Icon suspension that I really wanted and I begin to wonder. What if I buy the Icon front coil overs and set them to their lowest setting to get about 1" lift in the front and combined that with the Icon rear shocks and factory springs? I called Icon and discussed it briefly with them and was told that there are some people running that set-up and it does produce a very nice ride quality on and off road. The only drawback was the factory rear coils will still be noticeably soft in comparison to the front coil overs.

Earlier this evening, I was reading an old thread about rear coils and I was reminded Deaver used to make custom coil springs. I am thinking of perhaps getting a Deaver custom coil ~12% stiffer than stock (or whatever Icon recommends - will discuss w/ Icon before I order any custom springs) maybe 1/2" taller than stock. Should look good w/ the front coil over set somewhere between 1 and 1.25", provide a much improved ride both on road and off, keep stress off the CV joints, easily align w/ the factory UCA's and maintain the ride height that my wife wants.

If you can find the right rear coils to do this and are willing to shell out the money for it, then that's the way I'd go. The Icons are definitely a bit stiffer on the road and you'll feel more bumps, but the ride off road and even on gravel and dirt roads is fantastic. I went from factory to Radflo to Icon and I'm completely happy with them. Since the Icons are rebuildable you can keep them for a long time and adjust the height later on if desired - either to get more lift or even if you add weight like skidplates, bumper, winch, rooftop tent, or whatever to keep your current ride height.

 

[Titanpat57]

I think ANYTHING you put besides factory...will be well worth the money.

I love the ride with the suspension upgrade.

 

[CaliTE]

I've been thinking about the suspension on my wife's 2013 SR5 T4R. My wife has agreed she wants sliders and a solid AT/MT tire. When it came to lift, she doesn't really want any. She's petite, feels the vehicle is pretty capable at stock ride height and doesn't want any significant increase in vehicle height for climbing in and out of the truck. She does feel the factory suspension is a little soft. She knows it's going to be tough to upgrade the suspension w/ zero lift.

I have two Tacoma's, stock they have virtually identical ride heights to the T4R. At one time, she was using my 07 DCSB Tacoma Sport as her daily driver when it was set-up w/ Bilstein 5100's set at 0.85" and she liked that. She is OK w/ my current Tacoma that is lifted 1.6" w/ Eibach springs and 5100's at 0 setting, but draws the line there - no more. So the obvious choice is a set of 5100's with the fronts set at 0.85" in the front, factory springs all the way around. I know this set-up will be an improvement over the factory setting, will be the ride height she wants and be slightly firmer.

Then I started thinking about the Icon suspension that I really wanted and I begin to wonder. What if I buy the Icon front coil overs and set them to their lowest setting to get about 1" lift in the front and combined that with the Icon rear shocks and factory springs? I called Icon and discussed it briefly with them and was told that there are some people running that set-up and it does produce a very nice ride quality on and off road. The only drawback was the factory rear coils will still be noticeably soft in comparison to the front coil overs.

Earlier this evening, I was reading an old thread about rear coils and I was reminded Deaver used to make custom coil springs. I am thinking of perhaps getting a Deaver custom coil ~12% stiffer than stock (or whatever Icon recommends - will discuss w/ Icon before I order any custom springs) maybe 1/2" taller than stock. Should look good w/ the front coil over set somewhere between 1 and 1.25", provide a much improved ride both on road and off, keep stress off the CV joints, easily align w/ the factory UCA's and maintain the ride height that my wife wants.

Anybody done this on a 5th Gen T4R? Would like to hear from anyone that's done this or similar. Any opinions on the rear coil spring rate/height would be appreciated also.

Thanks,

David

I was pretty much in the same position. My wife hijacked the 4Runner for daily use the second it came home. She let me add sliders, wheels, and duratracs. She really didn't want a lift but we both hated the nose dive under hard braking and the "soft" front end.

I ended up getting the Toytec coilovers (bilstein 5100 based) in the front and rear 5100's with stock springs in the rear. I set the coilovers to their minimum setting and it leveled the 4runner. Huge difference on the road. The vehicle drives and handles so much better. I know Icon's are the premier brand for suspension as far as everyone on the forum is concerned, but you may want to consider the Bilstein based kits as they are less expensive and still a huge improvement.

If you look at the 2 pics you will see one with stock height and the next with the coilovers at the min height. The vehicle only really started to feel taller after adding the 285 duratracs. I'm pleased with this set up for now. Hopefully it won't be too many more months until i'm able to convince the wifey to let me lift it properly.

 

[eddiebx]

Since it sounds like you're looking for a mild lift, have you considered asking ICON if they can possibly put in a less stiff spring (and tune the shocks appropriately to match)? This way they might be able to pair up with your factory rear springs a bit better and hopefully you can just leave your rear springs alone and save some $$$.

The shortest aftermarket rear spring I found was the SAW 1.5" rear spring, which from what I understand ends up with ~1.75"-2" of lift on our chassis, but is probably way out of your desired height range. So custom might be the only option for you. I read that there used to be a 1" rear coil offered by Toytec a long time ago, but has since been discontinued.

 

[Canazes9]

I appreciate everyone's input and discussion! To clarify, I have upgraded one of my previous Tacoma's w/ the 5100's set to 0.85" and it definitely improved things. I upgraded the other Tacoma w/ the 5100's and the Eibach springs (most of the components of their coil over) and was again pleased w/ the performance. Bilstein makes quality components and I think I would be well served with one of the multiple different ways the Bilsteins can be configured and made to work for my application.

Having said that, I'm wanting to try something different for the 4Runner. Part of it is the allure of the icon premium set-up - I have ridden in an Icon FJ and an Icon Tacoma over rough terrain and the difference in performance over my Bilstein set-ups was significant. Additionally, there is the perverse, childish desire to try something different just for the sake of doing so - like buying a different tire even though you were extremely pleased with the performance of your last set.

Anyway, I talked to Icon again today and talked to Deaver. I'm going to go w/ a set of Deaver custom coils a 1/2" taller than stock and a 10% increase in spring rate. This should give me a ~3/4" increase in ride height in the rear when combined w/ the Icon coil overs set to 1.25" in the front. It is amazingly simple to have a custom set of coils made to your specifications. Deaver needs your OEM part # and you tell them what you want - yeah we can do that, about 3 weeks.....

Went down to the local tire shop and talked to the owner who has installed my last two lifts. Getting everything ordered - hope to have tires, suspension, and Sliders installed before our trip to Big Bend this Thanksgiving. I will post pictures/give impressions when everything is installed and tested, hopefully with some pictures from Big Bend.

David

 

[CaliTE]

Having said that, I'm wanting to try something different for the 4Runner. Part of it is the allure of the icon premium set-up - I have ridden in an Icon FJ and an Icon Tacoma over rough terrain and the difference in performance over my Bilstein set-ups was significant. Additionally, there is the perverse, childish desire to try something different just for the sake of doing so - like buying a different tire even though you were extremely pleased with the performance of your last set.

David

I think we can all relate that!

On another note, I am very interested in the custom rear springs. If there was a 1/2" - 1" rear spring readily available I would have gone with that. Reality is that I don't get to go wheeling nearly as much as I would like to, and small rear lift is ideal for my situation. Make sure you post an update and before/after pics as soon as you have everything installed!

 

[2010riddle]

:snacker:

Anxiously awaiting these results.....

 

[Canazes9]

:snacker:

Anxiously awaiting these results.....

I'll post everything, but realistically suspension is going to be at least 5 weeks to completion. I don't know if my Sliders will be in by then or not.

David

 

[Canazes9]

Update:

Everything is in, Icon front coil overs, rear shocks, custom Deaver rear coils. Got to coordinate some time with the shop, should have everything installed no later than the end of next week. I will take measurements and pics before and after, post all in this thread.

David

 

[USMCRUNNER]

Thinking of going the same route and can't wait to see how your runner turns out!

 

[cbielat]

Now why would anyone want to leave it at the low setting? I'm only kidding... At least this route still allows for plenty of adjustability incase you do choose to experiment and get a little wild. The urge will always be there with coil overs.

 

[Canazes9]

Now why would anyone want to leave it at the low setting? I'm only kidding... At least this route still allows for plenty of adjustability incase you do choose to experiment and get a little wild. The urge will always be there with coil overs.

I know you're kidding and I understand the obvious benefits of additional clearance.

The main reason is 'cause its the wife's truck and that's the way she wants it.....


but...

According to the good folks at Icon, the best possible ride will be achieved with the suspension at its lowest setting so that it gets the maximum down travel.

David

 

[cbielat]

I know you're kidding and I understand the obvious benefits of additional clearance.

The main reason is 'cause its the wife's truck and that's the way she wants it.....


but...

According to the good folks at Icon, the best possible ride will be achieved with the suspension at its lowest setting so that it gets the maximum down travel.

David

And say goodbye to most of the nosedive upon breaking:banana:

 

[Canazes9]

Update:

Suspension has been installed. Original plan was to have the front set about 1.25" lower than the back. The Deaver custom coils were specified as 1/2" taller, 15% increase in spring rate, were supposed to be ~3/4" taller than stock installed.

Stock Measurements (w/ Mickey Thompson MTZ MT 265/70R17):

Driver's Side Front: 34.75"
Passenger Side Front: 35.25"
Driver's Side Rear: 37.00"
Passenger Side Rear: 37.25"

After installation:

Driver's Side Front: 36.5"
Passenger Side Front: 36.75"
Driver's Side Rear: 38.00"
Passenger Side Rear: 38.25"

That's what I wanted, but after installation I didn't like the look at all! Had it reset to 37" in front.

After Reset:

Driver's Side Front: 37.125"
Passenger Side Front: 37.125"
Driver's Side Rear: 37.75"
Passenger Side Rear: 37.875"

The truck looks very good (to my eye) at this measurement. Long day today, only took a short drive. It feels great, a little more taut, but not rough. Nose dive under braking is eliminated. I'll try and get some pictures for everyone tomorrow and some better driving impressions.

David

 

[eddiebx]

:worthless

 

[sandcrawler]

looking forward to the lift pics... and maybe even more so, the photos of your Big Bend excursion. Big Bend is amazing! hoto: :usa2: