king vs. icon vs. fox racing coilovers

It all comes to valving, all of the reputable brands use high quality components.

 

Yes, I know you're right. I really like the Kings but since 90% of my driving is on pavement and rough roads I'm still thinking about ICONs. I know digressive is better for the street. I have acouple of months to think about it. When I'm ready I'll probably just call Wheeler's and ask them what would be the best for my application with the J59 Deaver's I just ordered and have the shocks and front springs set up to match those springs front and rear. Jbery already gave me his opinion and I may well just go with that. Whatever I decide will be so far superior to this stock, worn out suspension I'll feel like I'm riding on a cloud. A set of Monroes and Rock Auto springs would be a huge improvement.

 

Save up the $ , but also watch for group buy's could save u several $ ! Also when u lift consider extending ur sway bar end links and having uca does make a big difference in ride quality as well as handling . Good luck on ur decision it's definitely difficult . Way too many options .

 

I don't want or need a lift which is why I ordered the J59's. Once they settle with the shell I have I might end up with an inch or hopefully 0 lift. This Taco is a daily driver and spends 98% of it's time on the road. Of course that very well might change once I get a real suspension under it. It's quite miserable off road right now. Almost as miserable as it is on road. In my above posts I think I mentioned I live in WY and we have a rather high speed limit here for safety reasons, of course. Just like Utah and others are going to. In any case hitting a patch of rough road or a bridge at even 65 mph is sometimes an "Oh Jesus" moment. Even a manhole cover at 30mph or even less makes it jump to the right or left. I know this is a truck with an extremely short wheelbase being a regular cab but I just want the rubber to stay on the road and a smoother ride off the road. It won't ever be a Caddy which was the only car I owned for 18 years before I gave it to a friend and bought this Tonka Toy from my dad. A '73 Coupe DeVille to be exact which was the best, most reliable car I ever owned and I've owned a few real good ones over the last 40 years.

I don't need or want a lift for a few reasons. I have a regular cab and for where I go and what I do with this truck it has PLENTY of ground clearance. Lifts ruin mileage. Not that I really care about that but they do. Then there is my biggest issue. CV angles and droop. I don't even want to get involved with diff drops or anything else when it comes to those two subjects. Toyota engineered this truck to sit at a certain height and I want to keep it that way. It's no hardcore off roader and even though it has no lockers or posi it has absolutely amazed me when it comes to where it will go and what it will climb with just the Michelin MS/2's on it. I can only imagine where you guy's with your lifted tricked out Taco's can get to. Uh, this is my first 4X4. Anything it won't climb or go through I don't want to be climbing or going through. However, when the time comes it will get lockers or posi front and rear and I'll probably lower the gear ratio's a tad at the same time. It's geared a little too high with the 3.90's. 4.11's would be better.

If I can get zero lift out of this when I'm done I'll be thrilled. If I'm forced to end up with an inch I can live with that. I've got the springs coming and when I get ready to get the shocks I'll call Wheeler's or SDQ or Down South and just get a shock and spring set up that will work well with the Deavers. Whatever I can't haul will be fine with me. I knew before I ordered the J59's they were NOT the spring for heavy loads. I'll get some air bags or Timbren's under there for that "once in a blue moon" 1000lb load. I have really been torn between the Kings and the ICON's but I'm thinking that even though it seems like the Kings are the most durable and reliable the ICON's are probably a better choice for my 80 mph cruising over rough pavement while reducing sway and lean at lower speeds. Or, for that matter my 70 mph cruising over rough pavement which is really the top speed I want to run at on the road. Besides I doubt that for what I do an ICON would ever have a failure. I'm sure they are way past "bulletproof" for what I do. I still have time to think and read about it because you're right. It's better to spend the cash once and do it right. As they say, "Spend once Cry once" and at this particular time reaching this far up my ass for this kind of cash for shocks is going to make me cry for a long time. A year from now it wouldn't be a problem at all. But I need this stuff ASAP. It really is more of a safety issue with me than a ride quality issue and this truck will rattle apart far sooner if I don't fix this suspension ASAP.

 

A progressive valve set up will be much more predictable when hitting things at high speeds so it sounds like you would be better off going that route. A progressive will also give you closer to a Cadillac feel at lower speeds. Also body roll between the two are almost negligible unless your hucking the thing around corners in which case you would only notice a small difference. A sway bar will have a much larger effect in that aspect.

 

Thanks. Suave. I will keep your suggestion in mind. I really do like the kings based on what I've read. I didn't mean to suggest that I wanted to get a Cadillac ride out of this truck because it is impossible. I'm far more realistic than that. A firm ride doesn't bother me at all and actually that old Caddy I had was stiffened up all the way around with stiffer springs and bigger sway bars because it was downright dangerous the way it was stock if you ever had to do an evasive maneuver at speed. It didn't even come from the factory with a rear sway bar. I had to add one.

 

Which Fox shocks did you end up going with? Do you have Fox front and rear? I currently have Bilstein 5100's that I'm not happy with so I'm considering Fox or King.

 

I have Icons in the back.

The fronts are 2.5 Factory remote res without DSC (but can be added) IIRC



I have Icon boots in the front to protect.

 

What is the best kit for 3 inches of lift on a weekend warrior?

 

Is this you asking what I think would look best on my truck? Because I think the icons match the best with my paint and trim

 

Truth.

 

OTB valving on both of these? How does progressive up front, digressive in the rear ride?

 

It rides really well.

The front has more body roll (no link bar) than the Icons before but much smoother in road bumps.

The rear is great, there is not much weight so I don't think the disgressive/progressive is noticeable.

I don't have the valving, it can be added later though.

 

This has probably been asked before but what is the difference between progressive and digressive?

 

Progressive, the shock starts out soft, then gets more firm with faster rate of travel. Digressive, shock travel starts out firm, then softens up with increased rate of travel.

 

Free up some toilet time and read this.

 

Progressive= daily driver sometimes used for wheeling?
Digressive= trophy truck?

 

other way around