Radflo vs Icon vs Toytec BOSS

[redbull9944]

I'm having a little trouble deciding which way to go with my suspension set up on my new-to-me '06.

I'm looking for something that will give me 3 inches of lift, be adjustable to compensate for driver's side lean, and be smooth.

What are the pros and cons to these set ups? If I went Radflo I'd get the 2.0 extended travel version. I've heard good things about them, and the only negative I've researched is a little clunking at low speed. I could handle that as long as damage isn't being done.

If I go Icon I'd get their extended travel coilovers without the reservoirs. I've heard nothing but good things from people that run them, but they are considerably more expensive than the Radflo's and the Toytec kit.

The BOSS is something I've also considered. I understand it isn't an extended travel kit but most that run it seem to love it.

I will in no way be racing my 4runner on rutted out roads. I take things slow. I want something that can be comfortable on the highway and take me over the rocks and logs on the hunting property with ease. Any input is appreciated

 

[HokieRunner]

Really depends on your definition of comfortable. The best advice I can offer is try to find someone local with the setup you want and get them to take you for a spin. There's really no substitute for that.

Otherwise, I love my radflos (have the 2.5 with 700# coils though). I don't think you can go wrong with the icons either though.

I should add the icons come with an off the shelf valving (which many people like) while the Radflos come valved for the 4runner specifically. There a plethora of information on how overland warehouse developed their valving over on 120.com.

 

[ebg18t]

Of those three I would go Icon.

 

[redbull9944]

Really depends on your definition of comfortable. The best advice I can offer is try to find someone local with the setup you want and get them to take you for a spin. There's really no substitute for that.

Otherwise, I love my radflos (have the 2.5 with 700# coils though). I don't think you can go wrong with the icons either though.

I should add the icons come with an off the shelf valving (which many people like) while the Radflos come valved for the 4runner specifically. There a plethora of information on how overland warehouse developed their valving over on 120.com.

Have you noticed the low speed clunk that some get running the Radflo's?

 

[ebg18t]

Have you noticed the low speed clunk that some get running the Radflo's?

The clunk was primarily on the 2.0 not the 2.5" versions. Glenn from Radflo appeared to be less than helpful to 2.0" owners with the issue. If you go Radflo definitely go 2.5"

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I love my 2.5" Radflo Kit with 700lbs Eibach Springs (I got mine through Overland Warehouse when Andres was still in business.) I have had little to no issues with them besides the heim joints getting squeaky after a couple years of mud and dust (a common issue with heim joints.)

The Icons are a great product, but they are very expensive. The Radflos offer a great compromise between cost and quality.

 

[redbull9944]

I love my 2.5" Radflo Kit with 700lbs Eibach Springs (I got mine through Overland Warehouse when Andres was still in business.) I have had little to no issues with them besides the heim joints getting squeaky after a couple years of mud and dust (a common issue with heim joints.)

The Icons are a great product, but they are very expensive. The Radflos offer a great compromise between cost and quality.

I can't seem to find them offered with the 700lb springs. Toytec offers the 2.0 and 2.5 valving but only with 600lb springs. The 700lbs might be overkill for me anyway, because I plan on keeping my stock front bumper and if anything I'll only be adding a light bar similar to Defiant and an RCI skid plate.

Are you running any extra weight with the 700lbs?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I can't seem to find them offered with the 700lb springs. Toytec offers the 2.0 and 2.5 valving but only with 600lb springs. The 700lbs might be overkill for me anyway, because I plan on keeping my stock front bumper and if anything I'll only be adding a light bar similar to Defiant and an RCI skid plate.

Are you running any extra weight with the 700lbs?

I am running a ShrockWorks Front Bumper, RCI Skid Plates, and I plan to add more. I believe the 700lbs stuff was offered only through Overland Warehouse when they custom kitted the suspension kit together. Bulldog (Andres) on Toyota120 might be able to get you the part number for the Eibach springs he used.

 

[redbull9944]

I am running a ShrockWorks Front Bumper, RCI Skid Plates, and I plan to add more. I believe the 700lbs stuff was offered only through Overland Warehouse when they custom kitted the suspension kit together. Bulldog (Andres) on Toyota120 might be able to get you the part number for the Eibach springs he used.

Interesting. I'll have to message him and see what's up. I like a stiffer ride, but 700lbs may be too much. 650lb might suite me if there is such a thing...

 

[wnelax04sr5]

i think the icons will be the best bet, if you did radflo i would advise against the 2.0's, [MENTION=44999]HOJeepster[/MENTION] didn't love them because of the clunking and everyone who has the 2.5's that i know of loves them, [MENTION=90013]HHIRunner[/MENTION] can testify on behalf of the radflo's.

haven't ever heard a bad word about icons, and many on the forum have them, [MENTION=15853]Redswan[/MENTION] , [MENTION=87687]LTDSC[/MENTION] , and more I'm forgetting

 

[HHIRunner]

Like everyone said you can't go wrong with either Icon or Radflo, and I'd also suggest the 2.5. I have mine with the 700lb springs and they ride great and barely dropped at all when I added my bumper. Again can't really go wrong with either and I didn't read through this entire thread but I assume someone brought up that icons use digressive valving while Radflos are progressive (I may have that backwards) also the radflos are valved specifically for us and it shows with how well they handle on and offroad. Also Metaltech4x4 is where I got mine with the 700lb springs.

 

[LTDSC]

I love my icons. I have the v8 and the 650 spring. Rides super smooth and didn't have to crank much. I believe just two turns over where they ship them.

 

[Jeremy556]

I assume someone brought up that icons use digressive valving while Radflos are progressive (I may have that backwards)

Radflos are actually linear, not progressive.

With digressive valving, you have very stiff low speed compression damping and much softer high speed compression damping. Excellent for body roll, dive under braking, squat on acceleration, and soaking up big bumps at high speed. On the other hand, you will feel every tiny imperfection in the road surface, and even gravel/dirt roads will pretty much require airing down. On really big hits (like catching a lot of air), they will be more likely to bottom out than linear valved shocks.

Linear valved shocks will have softer low speed damping, more like OEM, which is great at soaking up small bumps, but not so good for body roll, nose dive, and squat.

Radflo and Icon are both much higher maintenance than OEM, Bilstein, OME or Boss. They use spherical bearings instead of bushings, which must be lubed often, wear out quickly, and tend to cause clunks and squeaks. My lower sphericals tend to last 25-30k miles and the uppers about twice that. On the plus side, they are rebuildable. I plan to rebuild mine and change the shim stack to a more linear compression damping.

You may already know, but just in case, if you go with an extended travel coilover, you're going to need new upper control arms.

 

[2014 Warthog]

I have icons (Well so far just the front, billies in the back, but also digressive), and while admittedly expensive, I couldn't be happier with their performance.

I heard a lot about the "stiff at low speed" damping meaning you would "feel everything" on the road, but that's not really the way it feels. It's not rough or stiff feeling. The ride is very smooth on and off road. Dirt roads are fine and in fact considerably smoother than most stock suspensions. The thing is, the roughness and washboard on dirt roads do seem to lie in the high speed zone and are buffered quite well. It's not actual volume of movement (I.e. not JUST big bumps) it is only the speed of the bump, and small bumps have a lot of speed!

I was very paranoid about the roughness on regular dirt roads and washboard as my previous truck with it's 3in lift practically rattled apart on washboard but it's been a dream in comparison to that, as well as my wife's amazingly stiff Murano and even compared to the very soft original suspension.

But in the end, I mentioned in another thread, if at all possible, try to get a test ride in someone else's truck and see for yourself. It's pretty subjective overall.

 

[Redswan]

Icons are best on the market IMO. I would think hard on it if you aren't going fast or abusing your current set up then don't bother upgrading. I really don't think you need coilovers unless you are going to beat on them.

...just my opinion and not the official opinion of T4R.org

 

[HokieRunner]

Have you noticed the low speed clunk that some get running the Radflo's?

No low speed clunk from mine so far. The only maintenance issue I can foresee with the Radflos is the heim joints (as someone else mentioned). They should last a few years or longer depending on if you live in the salt belt or not. Glenn at Radflo has always been incredibly responsive to any of my questions and concerns when I first bought and since. Was just emailing back and forth with him last week regarding the lower heims.

Lower heim joints for the radflos run $20 each so when they do go - you just pull the c clip, press the new ones in - voila! Definitely more 'maintenance' than OME, etc but easily worth it given the performance and ride characteristics.

If you're definitely set on the 2.0 Radflos as your Radflo option, I'd probably look at the Icons based on other folks experience with the 2.0's.

 

[redbull9944]

If you're definitely set on the 2.0 Radflos as your Radflo option, I'd probably look at the Icons based on other folks experience with the 2.0's.

So far nobody has recommended the 2.0 set up from Radflo, they all say to either go 2.5 or get the Icon's. I suppose it would be worth it to fork out the extra $200 for the 2.5 Radflo's, which would still be considerably less than the Icon 2.0's

 

[Jeremy556]

So far nobody has recommended the 2.0 set up from Radflo, they all say to either go 2.5 or get the Icon's. I suppose it would be worth it to fork out the extra $200 for the 2.5 Radflo's, which would still be considerably less than the Icon 2.0's

Icon only has 2.5 coilovers. They have 2.0 and 2.5 rear shocks.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm much happier with the Icons than I was the Radflo 2.0s I ran previously. IMO the icons ride better and there isn't the annoying clunk every time you hit a bump.

Where are you getting pricing? Icons usually run a little cheaper than Radflo. Looking at MetalTech4x4:
Radflo 2.0: $1537.10
Radflo 2.5: $1947.50
Icon: $1754.80

I have a feeling you aren't comparing apples to apples. Radflo offers two designs of shocks, emulsion and internal floating piston. The emulsion shocks are much cheaper and likely what you are looking at. The IFP shocks are what most places sell, but they are considerably more expensive. You can search for emulsion vs IFP if you want more info on the differences, but most everyone here runs the IFP version. As far as I know, Icon only offers the IFP shocks.

One thing to note, with any extended travel shock, you will need aftermarket upper control arms (you'll also need them if you plan to go above 3" lift).

I also wouldn't mark the Boss kit off your list. For the price it seems to be a great value. I haven't had any experience with it, but I also haven't seen any complaints.

The best advice I can give is take your time deciding and don't settle. Get what you want the first time, otherwise you may end up second guessing yourself. If at all possible, find someone local with the setup you want and go for a ride.

 

[redbull9944]

Well guys it's been a while since I posted in this thread. I've pretty much decided on the BOSS kit because I think it'll be just fine for what I'm planning to do, which is to fit 33's and take my 4runner out to the hunting property or on an occasional off road trip. I can't justify paying for the Radflo or Icon's when I don't think I'll see a whole lot of benefit for the type of wheeling I'll do.

Any tips for install? Mainly concerned about getting the existing front strut out. Of the three bolts on top the one nut is kind of hidden and hard to get to nearest to the engine. Any advice?