FOX vs ICON

Fox 2.5" non reservoir vs Icon 2.5" non reservoir.

• Will be lifting the truck 2.5"-3"
• Will be pairing each with UCAs
• Will be pairing each with either brands rear shocks
• both will be extended travel

What the shocks will be used for-

1. Driving too fast on gravel roads, fire roads, logging roads. Washboards are there but tiny, (still wrecks stock suspension)
2. Daily driving, mostly small mountain roads with plenty of pot holes, some interstate, and some speed bumps in parking lots id like to not slow down over.
3. Small mountainous sometimes rocky steep trails

Pros and cons-

Fox's Pros- has progressive shocks which are softer at slower speeds and firmer at high speeds, since I won't be going sand dune fast really and still hitting a lot of small rocky slow trails this seems to be the better fit than Icons digressive tuning.

Icon's Pros- 2.5" shocks can be adjustable up to 3.5" of lift where Foxs are only up to 3". I could potentially max out the fox shocks and I've heard the ride is terrible when shocks are maxed out.

Fox's Cons- Can only be set to 3" of lift. Heard they can make a clunk sounds when they drop due to shocks being set to high.

Icon's Cons- Less information and less known shock. Slightly higher in price for front and back. Digressive tuning.

Final question- So in my situation which shock is going to be the better fit and give me the best ride possible. The Fox 2.5 non reservoir with its progressive tuning for a smoother ride although it could be maxed out or the Icon 2.5 non reservoir with room left to flex although it could be rough at low speeds.

Please also explain why you picked which shock.
Opinions are more than welcome and facts even more so!
Pictures of either lift get bonus points.

 

The problem with putting too much pre-load into any shock is it will always ride like crap because you take away all of your droop which is very critical for ride quality. Also why are you only considering those two brands?

 

Shock preference is quite subjective however if you look at the purpose behind the valving of the two shocks, ICONs seem to be more daily driver friendly vs FOX IMO.

Digressive- better for towing, prevents squating and rolling. Hard hits will not be as noticable due to less reaction by the shock which means softer ride at high speed.

Progressive- more racing inspired. The purpose behind progessive is to keep the shocks from bottoming out on hard hits. At slow speed the vehicle will be less stable do to less shock resistance, meaning less capable of resisting a load. This is why the ford raptor which comes with fox, has a lower tow rating when compared to a stadard f-150.

So if desert running is your thing then I'd say go with FOX, but if you will be loading with additional weight or use your taco to tow then Id go with ICONs.

 

I started looking at just 5100s decided I wanted something better than stock when lifted, looked at the 6112s for a long time and they are still in the back of my head but seems to be more of a "wanna be".

Where I live its not only cold but there isn't any long stretches of hard core fast off roading to be done so I would push the suspension in small increments which is why I decided I have no real need for a reservoir shock.

Looking at non reservoir shocks means King is out, camburg only offers 2.5" of lift which basically leaves me with FOX or ICON.

 

Thanks this is exactly the kind of information/opinions I was looking for! That being said the heaviest thing my tacoma hauls is my yeti cooler.
But in theory the Icons would be better at absorbing something harsh like a speed bump where the Foxs would be better on the 10-15mph gravel roads

 

Oh I see, didn't realize you were looking for one without a reservoir. Well from what your saying you'll be driving on it seems to me that foxes would be best for you because the digressive set up Icon has wont be as nice on washboard or small rocky/ gravelly roads because on that stuff you want your shocks as soft as possible. As for the lift, I don't think I can help you out there, I would consider putting spacers in addition to the shocks just to keep your ride quality while also getting the lift you want.

 

Something tells me this has been discussed many times on here.

Maybe search this topic

 

Go icon if you'll be going fast off road more than slow

 

I'd like to chime in on this from my personal experience.

On an FJcruiser I've ran the 2.5 w/o resi and I'm now running 2.5 w/ resi
- Zero complaints for DD and hitting the trails. (mountains, desert, highway, city, etc)
- A proper tire inflation does play a huge role in the comfort of either shock. It can make the truck feel like its on clouds or feel like non-stop speed bumps
- Yes, the ride quality did diminish when trying to reach 3" Lift.. Currently I'm at 2.25-2.5" and very happy.

Most of this comes down to personal choice. All of the top companies make quality kits that will make most average users happy.
Pick a color and hit the trails


Thank You for your time,
Bailey

 

Here's the thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/king-vs-icon-vs-fox-racing-coilovers.203714/

 

Likely a couple more too.

 

It really hasn't, Ive searched, and searched... A few threads on which kit is the best period but nothing comparing just the two, defiantly nothing for the more average user.

Also that thread ^ is the one i was referring too lol, where I have got all my info up to this point, I believe it was the one that said a bunch of fox 2.5s were making noise when bottoming out and also it was the first Ive heard on Icon having the digressive tuning.

and the pick a color thing.... fox and icon's shocks are the same color!

But will the extra .5" of lift the icon delivers help any or if i set them at 2.5" thats not going to matter?

 

Icon uses black coils, fox uses silver coils. They match the bezels on my Squadron Sports so that is a plus
the extra .5" adjustment will probably not make a difference. You can always play with spring rate, length, and other adjustments if you really want to get technical.

Go ahead an give FOX a call. They are very helpful in setting you up with the right kit based upon your needs.

 

Eye candy just so everyone knows! Will be getting non reservoirs. So yes bailey was right they are slightly different! I wish the Foxs were Straight blue and Icons yellow, make choosing so much easier lol.

The rebuild thing is a small factor although I trade cars so much it probably won't matter...

Still completely undecided so keep the opinions/facts rolling in!

 

I think this picture better represents the awesomeness

Any guys running Icon got any persuading pictures

 

I'd like to take that setup for a drive up and down the mountain my friend lives on. My 6112s are pretty good, but I bet that thing rides like a dream.

 

Yeah I have a feeling that's what I would want too even if I went to that setup.

That's why I follow the long travel thread lol.

 

Any Icon guys want to back up if their shocks are soft like going up a gravel drive way?

 

i drive mainly on washboard roads and gravel fire roads. Its nice at slower speeds but its extremely smooth after 25mph+. I can fly around on a washboard road with gravel and loose bigger rocks around 45-60 without any worry and its smooth. It really impressed me how you could feel it under 20mph but as soon as i pushed it a little bit it literally smoothed out the faster i get. Its also really plush on the street as well. I cross railroad tracks every day for work and i just drive over them like no problem.

I have rear fox 2.0s and i want to swap them to match my ICON front 2.5s because i can tell my rear is rougher than the front by far.

 

I was afraid the sweet spot for icons would be like 45+, because my roads up here are so steep and windy I'm pretty sure unless the suspension is crazy good I won't ever get over 60, 45 will be sketchy