OEM FJ Bilsein vs Icon Mono Tube - Rear

[FLynFish]

I've searched the forums, and the internet in general. I'm looking to see if anyone has any experience with the Icon compared to the Bilstein REAR shocks.

I have a 2005 V8 4x4, with the FJ Coils front and rear, and currently have the FJ Bilsteins up front, and the stock 4runner shocks in the rear, and need to replace the rears.

Has anyone mix and matched with the Bilsteins in the front and Icons in the rear? Otherwise does anyone have any experience w/ the Icons at all?

Also, will the FJ Rear Bilsteins be able to take 2" of lift? Going to get the superflex next.

 

[berettashot117]

I have billies up front and icons in the rear(also with superflex coils), and my rear end is pretty stiff. it likes to jump around when I hit bumps in the road(when going fast)

 

[FLynFish]

Do you think that's more from the Superflex or the Icons?

 

[pearlj10]

I run the superflex coils, first with longer OME shocks and now with even longer 11.5" pro comp shocks. No problem at all with rear spring rate - it's quite comfortable.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'd go with 5100 rears. They'll match the front very well and work better with the lift You can get them for under $145 from ajusa.com. Watch their site, they typically have a promo code listed on the home page.

 

[daPitbull]

Do you think that's more from the Superflex or the Icons?

Its because the front is ifs and rear is a solid axle.

 

[8086bruce]

You might be able to find the rear FJ Bilstein's very cheap. I have them on mine and the work great.

 

[aviator31]

Very happy with the 5100s on all four corners. The ride is just right for a real SUV and not too harsh, but very controlled. I'm running the 5100s with FJ coils for reference.

 

[FLynFish]

Thanks all, I've found a set of Icons and a set of FJ Rears... 100 for the Icons (shipped), and &80 for the FJ coils local.

Are the 5100's worth the extra $$?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

What year are the fj shocks from? Are both the fj and icons new? I don't know anything about the icons so can't honestly say which is better. I'm not sure if they are longer than stock or not either. I would say the 5100s are worth the extra if the fj shocks are used. IMO you might as well get a shock that'll allow you to take full advantage of your lift, fj shocks won't do that. New 5100s also have a lifetime warranty, which is nice to have as will. Finally, the 5100s are made to match your fronts, I would prefer a matched setup that's been tested rather than piecing together. It has been speculated that the fj bilsteins are the same as the 5100s, only shorter, in which case for ride quality they would match well. However, that's only speculation, not a proven fact.

 

[FLynFish]

The FJ shocks are from a 2010... I've read that they may require some mods to be compatible, is that true?

Both have roughly 10k-ish miles on them, so fairly new. I'm not really concerned with the age of either. It would be nice to save money on slightly used vs new, although warranty is always nice.

Icon makes very nice stuff, big in the FJ world, and also on the west coast with all the baja racing. Also have nice warranty as well.

I've heard the stock FJ's Bilsteins can use up to 3" of lift, but can't seem to confirm that anywhere.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yes, the 2010's will require modification to fit. This post has the most info I've found on this. The stock FJ's can handle it, the 5100's would just be better. Without a longer shock, you're not benefiting from the lift. With longer shocks, you'll get more flex and better off road performance. On road, difference is not so much.

I'm sorry, I'm not much help on the Icon's. I don't know the valve rates or the length, so not sure how they compare to either of the other shocks in question. I just prefer the Bilstein's (either 5100's or FJ) as that should be a better match for the front 5100's. The Icon's could be an awesome match, without numbers for comparison I can't say. Icon does make top notch stuff, no doubt about that.

Edit, found some more info:
Found this on the Icons. Note he does sell his own products, but IMO he's a reliable source of info. You'll also note he suggested the Bilstein's over the Icon's, never mentions his OW/Radflo shocks.
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showpost.php?p=72829&postcount=10

5100's
*Collapsed Length (IN): 14.84
*Extended Length (IN): 23.62
Icon's (these are specs I was given in an old thread I found, I do not know for certain they are accurate)
14.65” compressed
23.89” extended

According to this new info, the Icon's would actually be a better choice off road due to more travel/flex. However, valve rates is one thing I've not found on the Icon's, and that's what's important for ride quality.

 

[FLynFish]

Found out a little more today from ICON. The rear mono shocks they were selling before were built by both Edelbrock and/or Bilstein and are essentially the same as the 5100's. They used both manufacturers to handle the volume.

They no longer sell them since now they are manufacturing their own rear shock, the VS 2" series, which are also really nice, but also expensive.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That's good info. Did you happen to get the valve rates? This is key. Shocks can be valved for a heavier vehicle and won't ride good. Those icons look promising due to extended travel over the 5100s, but they still may not ride as good, or the flip side they may ride better. All comes down to the valving, this if something companies spend a lot of time on to get it prefect for the target application.

 

[FLynFish]

He didn't have the valve rates since they don't sell the re-labled mono shocks anymore. He also said that since the piston, etc inside could be different than what we're comparing it with (oem, and Bilstein), that the valve rates wouldn't give an accurate comparison. Not sure how true this is but it makes sense.

Their new VS series shocks are manufactured in house, rebuild-able and supposed to be pretty nice.

I think I'll still go with Billies though.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm not an expert on shocks, but valve rates should at least give you a good indication of the ride. Either way, I think it's a pretty good choice either way. I will throw this out there, I've read from a few people that say the 5100 rears are a little stiff.