ICON coilovers TOO STIFF

I'm in a 3rd gen with full ICON setup if you want to check it out. I'm out of town at the moment but I'll be back on April 3rd.

 

Read thru some of the posts. I lowered it to less than a inch of preload and ... wait for it ... it still rode like shit

 

Hmmm, idk sir, that might make me want to sell my truck and buy another one!! Have you had a 2nd gen before? I for sure wouldn't mind checking it out. Definitely appreciate the hospitality.

 

I have never cared for mine and am about to take them in to get re-built and valved, which is a complete PITA to find a shop to work with by the way. This is something that doesn't get discussed. The support for Icons is poor here in AZ. You have 1 option out in Gilbert and they want your shocks for 2-3 weeks and need 4-6 weeks lead time for scheduling. I spent an entire morning calling offroad shops and getting recommendations before finding a place in Glendale with an offsite suspension tech when I needed to get my rears rebuilt a couple of months ago. Practically every shop will take your Fox or King's by comparison.

 

This is really good information, thanks for letting me know. I think I will be going with Fox shocks from the information I've gathered so far.

 

Too long a thread for me to scour it all, but OP, do your coilovers not have external adjustable compression damping? You could try backing that off for increased comfort, at the cost of body roll control and slower speed off road composure. If that's not enough, sell those puppies and find some fox or kings. Progressive shocks are just comfier.

 

You’re a bit late, I’ve had Kings for the best 7-8 months & haven’t looked back

 

I had Icons and didnt like the ride so I switched to kings; I'm not sure which I prefer. 1st gen but should be similar for you:

Icon:
-Pros: Much better body roll control, better dampening for large bumps / pot holes
-Conns: Small bumps are more jarring

Kings:
-Pros: Smaller bumps are less jolting, rides like a Cadillac
-Conns: More aggressive body rolls and larger bumps / pot holes are more harsh

I prefer the handling of the Icons way more than the kings. I was able to drive with more confidence. If you have a sway bar installed (I don't), this may not be as much of an issue. The Kings ride a bit better but larger bumps / pot holes, specificaly at higher speeds, can be very dramatic vs Icons. Icon's don't exactly 'float' over pot holes, but at higher speeds, vs Kings, the difference is rather large.

Ahh, TLDR

 

I'm gonna say that my icons are kinda jarring over potholes. I think I'm gonna bit the bullet and have them revalved at the crazy wait time shop in Gilbert.

Does anybody have suggestions on valving to make icons ride better?

 

if you’re going to get them revalved, pick up a 600lb 14” king spring and you don’t have to crank those 13” 650’s so much. That will help.

It’s the same amount of “preload” if you keep the ride height the same - but will result in a softer ride.

 

I purchased 14” 650lb eibach made springs from wheelers off road, and swapped them out for the 13” springs that come with Icon. Less preload, love the ride. Its like a european touring sedan on road. Off road its supported pillow softness.

 

The lack of logic in this post is astounding.

@chrslefty please do not filling the above advise.

 

This also makes little sense. Going to a longer spring in equal rate will not “lesson preload.” It’s will actually stay the same assuming both springs are still good.

The only way to lesson preload is to go up in spring rate or reduce the weight of the vehicle. Going up in spring rate will offer more lift but depending on other variables will ride more harsh.

 

Kept the same spring rate; and yes- the ride is much better. Moved the adjustable collar up to keep exact same ride height AND lessen pre-load.

 

Here are the 14” 650lb springs from @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc

Made a huge difference!

 

Preload only changes with spring rate.

Two good articles:
https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/spring-preload-matters/

https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/coilover-spring-rates-for-toyota-tacoma-4runner/

 

You don’t understand the definition of preload.

The ride quality difference you feel is called the placeabo effect. Many studies have been done to prove it.

 

Is the flutter stack still the one to get as far as valving?

 

Yeah- you guys are right....


No need to overthink it. The 1" longer spring rides differently.

Much rather have 14” spring, than a 13” spring that is compressed to equal the same height. The ride and behavior IS different.