Too many choices for Coil Overs

ok, so first off, if you look closely...I have a PreRunner. However, I am going to be buying another Tacoma soon, 4WD. so please note, these questions are for 4x4 only...nothing about spindle lifts, etc.

Anywho...looking at the choices out there for coilovers. I was hoping to get peoples input, who have, or had, any of the kits out there, to get your impressions on them.

1.ICON...sexy as hell, but worth all the extra money? And that goes for the UCA's also, vs, say Total Chaos, or Light Racing. Sure, billet arms are flipping sweet looking...but will they do anything the other arms wouldnt?
2.ToyTec...SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than ICON, but I hear nothing but good about their kits. Would love to hear from someone that has had both kits maybe???
3.There are plenty of options out there...if you have a better choice, tell me why. What route would you go for suspension(in the 3" range), co's, UCA/LCA's, etc.

Also, I suppose its worth noting that I absolutely plan on wheeling the truck, but Im not under any illusions about how much said coil overs would improve the performance, flex, etc. I dont think that if I slap on some springs, I could go run the King of the Hammers in an other wise stock Taco. General trail riding, some mild rock crawling(when I can find them), more towards the expedition route than rock buggy, is what Im going for...I hope that makes sense.
Oh, and although I did plenty of searching...I didnt really find what I was looking for, so if someone has already posed the same question, please just point me towards it, and save everybody the time of re-explaining everything.

Thanks,
Dom

 

Will you be on mud trails, going fast on a dirt road, crawling huge rocks or running in the snow?

 

A little of everything, to include DD. Not a whole lot of rocks, as I live in Ga...just not a helluva lot of HUGE rocks around. Also, not really into the PreRunner/go fast thing.

 

To 98Tacoma27:

No kidding? I always thought they had a pretty good reputation. Granted, Im going completely on second hand experience...had a couple buddies who had various parts or kits from them, spoke very well of them. Interesting point.

Is money an option? Well, money is always an option, but I also would like to build it once, not several times over because parts break, or just because I'm not satisfied with the performance. As far as the billet arms...not claiming to know all there is about ICON, but thats definitely what they call them, so I'm gonna take their word on it. Either way, I mean the $1000-1200 ICON arms vs. the other brands...TC, AP, Light racing, etc.

 

Boom

http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/store/products/2005-%2b-Tacoma-Billet-Upper-Control-Arm-Kit.html

 

The higher end coilover and shock setups can be custom valved and are rebuildable. The Toytec/Bilstein stuff is not. Remote reserviors are nice to keep the shock oil cool on say a high speed desert run where the shocks really get a work out. What's your budget, that should really limit your search. Toytec and OME make some good stuff for the money and will allow you to tackle a lot of terrain.

 

Wait... is that a BILLET upper control arm?

 

with the Icon arms you get Heim joints instead of bushings

Only a few members on here run the Icon UCA, but lots run the others (personally I like Total Chaos)

 

they are made of Billet Aluminum

 

I was poking fun at Ben...

 

do it right, do it once

Get a good set of coil overs (King, Fox, or Icon) and UCAs

If you can't afford it now save up for it

 

I would only agree with this if you have a need for the higher end products. Personally, I went with 5100's all around, Eibachs and an AAL because it is more than adequate for my use. Icon, King or Fox are overkill for light trail riding or light off roading. The Toytec ULK or a full OME kit would be sufficient for the average person and they're a fraction of the cost of the others.

I agree, I just wanted to take the opportunity to give you a hard time

 

I happen to agree. I just wanted to hear peoples opinions on the subject.

 

Oh, and as far as the ICON arms...personally, I dont really dig the bling factor they bring, but thats just me. Honestly, I doubt that I would ever really use $1200 worth of control arms, but I'm just exploring some of the options out their. I dont want to say I will spend $xxxx, not a cent more...it all depends on what I convince myself(and more importantly my wife) is absolutely necessary, lol.

 

There are no billet arms on the market....they must be prototypes.

 

The problems that I see with the billet Icon arms for a DD is 1. The cost and 2. those heim joints. I even know a racer that hates them because of the way they transmit vibrations.

I would entertain the new Icon tubular UCA's though.