Icon Stage 4 Sweet looks Ehhh performance

Hey guys, I just installed a stage 4 2.5 lift from Icon on my 2012 Taco DBC LB 4x4, new wheels (TRD's) and new rubber (BFG TKO's). And I'm pleased aesthetically but not nearly as comfy as I had hoped. $4k for suspension lift should feel smooth on the street, certainly NOT rougher than stock. I'm hoping putting some miles on the truck will soften up the springs a lot. It rides stiff, particularly over speed bumps with a hop from the front. Also, when I come to a stop the truck seems to rock back and forth slightly. Any advice or experience out there? Thank you

 

Have you tried them in the dirt yet? Hate to see you spend $4K of street suspension haha

 

Most aftermarket suspensions are stiffer than stock... The Icon Stage 4 kit isn't made to run the street, it's made to take hit hits off road which is where it shines over stock. I hate to say it but if you never leave the pavement, you needlessly spend way more than you needed to for a lift...

Also, what load range are your tires? If they are D or E, that could be part of your problem.

 

OP one thing you can do to alleviate it being rough on the street is to get soft springs. I think Icons come with 650lb springs for 2nd Gens, but you can go as low as 500lb springs. Just a thought

 

Plus it takes them some time to break in. Ive heard that with almost every shock
Available the first couple days are terrible. Go do some
Quick runs in the mud and get that suspension working, that's the best thing for them. Dakars and expo leaf packs are noticeably different after a few runs through the dirt.

 

Streets are not what lift kits are meant for.

 

have you checked your tire pressure? if they are over inflated it would feel that way over a speed bump. how far are your icons cranked up?

 

Thank you all for the information. I agree Stage 4 should shine off road (fingers crossed), but heck it should also shine on-road also. Reality is most driving is on pavement, but I went with Icon because they claimed to be the most comfortable daily use lift. If the setup was truley progressive, speedbumps shouldn't feel worse than stock, extra travel should equal extra comfy

Black Hawk, thx for the info on coil rates. If this doesn't get better I'll def be reaching out to Icon for different rate springs.

Yes, my tires are BFG TA KO 285/75/16 E rated and running currently at 35psi. This may play a role. I plan to run a chaulk test and find optimal street psi.

Ben, I agree with you as I'll be heading to the desert this weekend to rub some dirt on the setup and hope it finds a happy place.

All in all this setup just makes me want a dual rate instead :/ and so far no bueno

 

speed bumps make me feel like my truck is falling apart

 

lol i love the noises that come with it

 

Thats a good chunk of change! That sucker better start riding better!

 

Exactly my point FireFighter!

 

Also, how far down have you cranked those springs?

 

Rears we're supposed to lift 1.5" and front's were supposed to come 2.0 lift from the factory. After measuring level, I cranked the fronts 10 full turns each. They seam to sit half way on the threads overall. This left me with .5 in higher in the rear to compenste for light loads in the bed or additional passengers.

 

sub'd. Just bought icons. Hope I won't be disappointed.

 

we're not gonna crank pre-load with the 500lbs, gonna have her ride stink bug; face down - ass up

reduce nitro psi could help a little too

 

Crank some presure off the springs, lower the lift and add a 1/2 top plate with longer bolts. Thats what i did and the front is softer then what i had before.

 

Icon suspensions are made for medium to high-speed offroad use. If you're driving one around on the street, you just bought the wrong suspension for your job. Do your homework next time.

A progressively valved system (King, Fox) typically works better on road at low speeds offroad at low speeds in terms of damping. Digressively valved systems like Icon work better offroad at higher speed and on bigger hits (think potholes) on road.

This.

10 turns is adding about 2" of lift from whatever they were set at factory, which is usually about 2.5". If you're running 4"+ of front lift on coilovers meant for 3.5 or less, you're gonna have a bad time.

Would you also like a boat that is excellent in water and on land?

It's digressive.