Icon or fox?

Cant decide which to go with.
I go offroading frequently, slow & fast. I want some flex when crawling and float over bumps while speeding. I do haul bikes so whats more sustainable for weight on the back? I want a affordable kit that can do it all. I know im asking for too much on a budget but i wanna know which one is more suitable for my needs. I've been scouting on Headstrong and Im drooling over the Fox level 2 or Icon Stage 2. Whats the max lift height I can get out of these? Thanks in advance!

 

Foxconn! Wait, wrong industry. I run Icon and they work well, but will probably be switch to some larger King's when they need to be rebuilt. At the stage 2 level they are all fairly similar. Max lift you should expect is ~2.5 front 1 rear. You can crank the coilovers higher but it is not recommended.

 

Can you run stock UCAs with stage 2? Do I really need the reservoir or should i consider stage 1? They bot

Can you run stock UCAs with stage 2? Do I really need the rear reservoir or should i consider stage 1? They both will perform the same right?

 

i was you 6 months ago. Go with King and never look back.

Downsouthmotorsports gives tacoworld discount

 

UCA is recommended if you want max lift. I do not run the rear reservoir, but I also do not throw bikes in the bed so don't know what to tell ya in that regard. But generally a remote reservoir allows the fluid to heat up less by having a larger movable volume thereby allowing longer performance times. If you don't plan on running a lot of heavy offroading then I wouldn't worry about the remote reservoir.

 

Exactly that But 9 months ago

 

I asked a bunch of people and they all say kings

 

I would base my choice on digressive (Icon) vs progressive (Fox).

 

How much lift can I get with kings? whats the max tire size? Are there different options for them?

 

Fox

 

I think you are correct in pointing out you are asking a lot. ICONs offer digressive shocks and therefore great handling and deep response. Lift and suspension are not the same. You need it to be tuned and balanced and you need to do your homework based on your long term needs. Great suspension lifts that meet your criteria criteria above will miss on your price requirement. Lesser kits still offer great options but you have to give up more features or top end performance. Look at the kits that run about $5k then see what of them you give up at $3k, $2k and etc. Since you off-road a lot, ask your trail runners to check out or even drive their rigs.

I personally landed on an ICON kit that is perfectly matched for my needs, but I am not you. Good Luck filtering the one or the other advice you’ll get on this thread, you gong to need it.

 

This... all day this... There's a shit-ton of information around the web on digressive vs. progressive valving on shocks, but it can get mucho confusing. I'm FAAAAAAR from a subject matter expert, but from what I've gathered I can try to simplify it to this. If you want a ride like a sports car on the streets (think stiffer than stock over little stuff), get the Icons. Digressive stays tighter/stiffer until it reaches a certain inch/second travel speed on compression (i.e. hitting a larger obstacle at speed) and *then* lets loose/softens up. Progressive, like the Fox shocks, will be easy breezie consistently, on road and off, and tighten up as it reaches the end of it's available travel. Maybe the pros can chime in on it, but this is how I understand it so far.

I have the icons because the body roll on the stock suspension seemed like more than I could handle for street driving (sports car background here), but I haven't been off road with it yet (next weekend!!! Lone Star Toyota Jaaaaaamborie, bby!). I've been happy with it so far, but it's for sure stiffer on the street.

 

Fox

From all I hear icon has leaking issues and their customer service is shit.
And fox uses the best material for the shock body.


Your tire size will be limited by how much you are willing to cut.

I might be slightly biased as I have fox 2.5 extended length and Dakar leaf pack


Icon is supposed to be better on road and King the best off. Fox is a great in between.

Honestly only thing I would change would be if I went for a longer shock but that means relocate in the rear. And i would still stay fox

 

@jquest see edit above

 

Hows the ride with dakar pack? Im thinking about going HD dakars.. also whats the difference between deaver AAL vs HS-3 leaf AAL?

 

Whats the benefit of longer shocks? How can I achieve that? Sorry total noob here

 

Not positive on the aal options

I have the medium dakars and empty be you feel it can't imagine with heavy duty.

Aside from them being the noisiest cunts possible I love them. If they are not coated in something they squeak constantly. I've been told after a year or so they get silent so I'll know by the end of this summer.

If you carry lots of weight constantly hd might be the better choice.

Also if you live where winter and salting roads exist fox is supposed to stand up to it the best which was one of my deciding factors

 

Does HD Dakar affect ride quality? Heard it gives a bit of rake.. I plan to have rear metal bumper in the near future. Thats the reason I consider

 

More travel.

You would need to do a relocate for the rear shock and have a leaf pack that can droop enough where it's useful.

My fox is actually about 1.5" too short for my dakars. So I more so want to max out that travel.

My wheeling is mostly all rock so I could use the droop. Will I do it? Maybe one day. I've priced it out it is no where close to cheap. Think including fab work I was up around $4500 and that is only for the rear.

Only option for front would be going with long travel which would be longer lca, coil over and axles.

I want my bumper first and saving for a ring for the girlfriend so dunno when I'll eventually do it but the suspension will probably get changed eventually.