Icon vs King vs Fox

I have had an Icon "Stage 2" but currently have 2.5" Kings extended travel w/ compression adjusters. The Icons were valved too soft in my opinion, but more so, I was turned off by the limited amount shops near me that rebuild Icons (due to digressive valving). I live 10 minutes away from the Kings factory in Orange County, and am very happy I upgraded to them. If Kings seem just outside of your comfort zone financially, saving a couple hundred per set without compression adjusters is a no brainer (although I do adjust from time to time).

 

Accutune offroad has an article detailing the difference in construction of fox vs king shocks
Worth a read

 

ADS.

 

My exact thoughts. I went Kings, but also considered ADS and (to a lesser extent) Foxes. Icon were never a consideration for the reasons mentioned here. No matter what you go with, make sure it's not a big deal to get them rebuilt because with these higher end shocks, you will have to rebuild them.

 

One item not mentioned...if you live in an area that uses a lot of salt on the roads you might want to avoid adjusters across all the brands as the adjusters might lock up.

 

I have Kings and I love them. Never had the other 2 brands so I can’t speak for those.

 

I went kings based on customer service and availability of having an issue resolved If their ever was one.

i went from random trips off road to multiple trips a month off road. I’m able to drive down paths that were once a crawl for me.

mans on road trips 500+ miles these are super smooth and ride better than factory.

you’re obviously on the right path. Pick once, buy once and do it right.

find out what’s best customer service wise. Not what some random vendor tells you they get good deals on or install the most.

to me as well as many customer service means more than buying a good deal sometimes.

 

I agree, and from my experience, King and Icon have better Customer service than Fox which is a much larger corporate style company.

 

Or...I know it's a crazy thought and not very manly, just make sure you keep your shit clean . Yes that might mean you clean your stuff while there's 1' of snow on the ground and it's between storms. Seems to work for me

With that said, had I known then (when I bought my Kings) what I know now, I would have not gotten the adjusters.

 

Just watched their video explanation and it really helps.

 

Great information here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW1xGS5NtgUFOVpaYh7yeFw

 

I've found that most shops will have their preference (usually Fox or King), especially shops that actually work/tune the shocks. It seems most shops that recommend Icons are the shops that don't work on the suspension and are just drop shipping or a reseller. Think 4wpw for example.

 

ADS or Kings. Don’t know of many people that are happy with their Icons. Plus their owner is a pedo.

 

exactly and the fact others compare the two based off a youtube video or another shops review is bad.

 

Any thoughts on OME BP51?

 

Good shocks, had them on my '16 4Runner. However, I would put them in a similar category as Icon, which is below Fox/King/ADS.

 

So which suspension do you suggest?

 

Fox/King/ADS...I went with Kings. BP51 would be my next choice to those (way before Icon).

 

Happy with my Icons. On the highway, the digressive valving makes them tight in the corners and loose over bumps.

Offroad, my understanding is that they need a little speed to loosen up over bumps. If you want flex while crawling slowly probably not the best choice. For me, they really shine hauling ass on washboard logging roads

Also, I've had them for over 80k and no leaks or issues other than the threaded adjustment collars getting frozen

 

Please - you could put your truck through a Silkwood decontamination on a daily basis and parts of it will still eventually develop rust.