Icon Lower Stages

Don't worry I've looked through websites and look through all the threads, but I haven't seen anything on the lower stages on Icon lifts. I've never seen anybody with lower than Icon stage 3, I was looking at Icon stage one? Is this good or do you not get good off-roading ability? What's the difference? I know higher up you get more things like leaf springs and UCA's. but could someone explain on this? Hope to help myself and others who are condisdering Icon Stage lifts. Thanks in advance, to the suspension guys on here.

 

Nobody?

 

It's just like you said. The higher up you go, the more parts you get or you get remote reservoirs etc. You can still off-road just fine without an Icon stage 17.

 

Thanks guys haha, just wasn't sure if there was huge difference like between 1 and 3 in the shocks and everything, but thanks for the replies!

 

The lower stage kits are kinda cheap crap with an Icon sticker and price, so nobody really goes that route. If they do, they usually upgrade later.

Even their highest end kit still comes with a crappy AAL, so eh. Marketing wank like most things.

 

Hmmmm that's good to know.

 

Each of those kits shows a parts list associated with it. Suggest you piece together your own. I started with an Icon Stage 1 kit and have subsequently replaced all of it with components that are included with the higher number kits.

 

i have a stage 2

 

The biggest disappointment with any of the Icon kits is the rear AAL. Toyota leafs are shit to begin with so your basically just dressing up shit. Don't matter what you do to it...it'll always be shit.

The front of my truck is essentially an Icon Stage 4 with billet UCAs but I pieced the rear together. I have OME Dakar's with the

$81 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL leaf, "custom" length Icon shocks for the leaf pack, and Icon hydro bumps.

Assess what you're going to do with your truck and what you want out of your suspension before dropping any cash.

 

I have the stage 2 and am very pleased with it. Everything seemed very well built, beefy and the ride is great. I live in Central Kentucky so I don't have any long desert roads to fly down, all my wheeling is low and slow. It suits my uses perfectly.

 

I agree, I had brand new TSB leafs when I installed the AAL. It rides good and flexes pretty well but all load carrying capacity is gone basically, in the future when funds allow I am going to upgrade to a better pack.

 

You take that back!

For the amount of off-roading I'm able to do these days even the base model shocks are overkill. What made the biggest difference for me was the Deaver leaf pack which I only did because my oem leafs broke. Going from the Icon 3-leaf to the J66 was a huge improvement even with the "stage 1" shocks.

 

I meant like, they're standard shocks. Standard single AAL or 3 leaf.

Not really any better than another emulsion shock that might cost less because it isn't an Icon Stage 1 Lift Kit System.

 

Haha I know

I still feel like my wife's 4Runner with 5100's rides better than my truck, but that's probably because it just always has and always will. Every time I drive it, I want one.

 

That's what seems like a really good idea instead of buying all new shit!

 

Your happy with how it works? Any complaints?

thats more or my kind of off road too. Pretty comfy ride? Not super stiff?

 

I love the ride. It is stiffer than stock but I always felt the stock ride was way to soft. It has a firm but plush ride to it, going slow over stuff it's firm but driving down the road and hitting a pot hole or something it is very plush. I have had it installed for a few weeks now and it's getting softer everyday as things break in. I love the ride, I've never ridden in a truck with Kings but I have ridden in a truck with Fox, OME and my last Tacoma had 5100s. I definitely prefer the ride of the Icons myself. Everyone has different ride qualities they like, some love a "boaty" ride, some like a very firm ride. I like the middle ground. I don't want to jar my guts out when I hit a big bump but I also don't want feel like I'm riding in a 1960s Caddy. The Icon ride is right in the middle and perfect for me. I'd highly advise trying to ride in a truck with one of the big 3 and seeing which ride you prefer if at all possible. No matter which one you go with it's a pretty big investment, you don't want to regret it.

 

Thank you for the input! Really like to hear actual peoples opinions on how they feel about it. Instead of just guessing.

 

Not exactly what I meant, but buying used is a great option with re-buildable parts. For instance, my original rear setup went from non-resi 2.0 with AAL to 2.5s and hydro bumps with Dakars. I sold my used stuff for about half what I originally paid for it.
Not sure what stage this is, but damn it works well.