Icon vs. OME

Mitch,

I just put my numbers in as per your request. At this point everything is stock and, to be honest, I have no idea what to measure for the other areas.

Right now, I have $1,800 to spend on a 3" suspension lift. But, I can throw in a few hundred more to get the right products.

I don't do much off-roading at this point in time. I never wanted to cause any damage to my truck since it's my daily driving vehicle; therefore, I was hoping with this 3" suspension lift I could start doing more.

 

My current plan is to have a maximum lift of 3". Will Icon give me a 3" lift? Have you noticed any vibrations with the 650lb front springs? I think my '99 TRD already has a plate covering the transfer case, but I plan on installing an after market front bumper and winch.

 

I did an Icon Stage 1.5 from DownSouthMotorsports. Its the Icon Stage1 with their AAL. I did not do any remote reservoirs which kept the cost down. Then I installed LR UCA's instead of Uniball UCAs again to keep cost down. You can get that same kit installed by yourself for under 1800

 

I'd like a 3" suspension lift. I want to be able to go through all types of terrain: mud and snow. I currently have $1,800 to put toward the project.

 

Oh shit. I just realized that you have a Gen 1. My stats and experience is 2nd Gen only.

 

O.k. forgive my stupidity here, what does "AAL" stand for? I know UCA is upper control arm, however what does "LR" stand for? I plan on doing the project myself along with a buddy who is a certified mechanic. I do know that Icon comes with three different stage systems, but I don't know what the benefits are of having a reservoir shock...

 

AAL stands for Add-A-Leaf for the rear leafs. That is where you gain your real lift.

LR is Light Racing, its a company that is about half the cost of the uniball UCAs since it is a Ball Joint UCA.

If you have a remote reservoir, you have more oil that is able to keep the shock cooler. This helps in long distance runs at high speeds. Keeps the shocks cooler during operation.

 

No worries, man!! So, does your opinion differ now that you know I have a Gen 1 Tacoma?

 

Gotcha!! Thanks for acronym lesson lol.

I normally don't drive over 75 mph, so I don't know if a remote reservoir is necessary. I'm pretty sure you don't need an aftermarket UCA with the OME system. But the Icon Stage 3 sounds pretty awesome!! If I were to get that then I guess I would have to get a heavy duty front spring to support a winch and an aftermarket front bumper.

 

You may not even need a heavier spring for a bumper and winch. If you have a 4 cylinder the 650lb coils can hold a winch and bumper no problem.

The Icon stage 3 kit is great. In No way a bad choice.

 

I've got a V6. Will the stage 3 kit provide a 3" suspension lift?

 

Yes, the stage 3 kit will give a 3" lift. Most coilovers are adjustable for 0-3" of lift. But with a v6 you may want to eventually upgrade the coils because av6, winch, and bumper may cause the existing coils to sag.

 

We are actually about to release our own ICON engineered 14 x 700lb coil as a second option when heavier weights are added to the front half of the vehicle. This coil will be best when you have a heavy steel bumper, winch, heavy skids that push additional weight up in the 250+ over stock range, otherwise it may stiffen up the front a little more then most would desire. Because our standard 13 x 650lb coil does not coil bind in the useable travel range of the shocks, you can adjust them to compensate for a decent amount of weight and still work as designed.

 

Hell yes! Any plans on a 14" 650 lbs coil for people who don't have the extra weight but want less preload?

 

I need more ICON

 

Not sure if a 14" x 650lbs will ever be made.
There aren't any benefits to be gained from a longer 650lbs. Our 13" x 650lbs and threaded cylinders are made to complement one another. The cylinder threads end before you can coil bind the spring. Adding 1" to the overall length without changing the rate can, in theory, reach coil bind if crank too much preload into the spring.

 

But it would allow you to have the same height of lift with less preload on the spring.

 

Correct.

Less preload but run the risk of some customers cranking the adjuster to coil bind. That's why the spring was designed to be 13" rather then 14" and the threads on the cylinder end where they do currently. There are some people that may not be as mechanically savy and/or would ignore a written warning to not cant more then (whatever length it may be)" of thread showing. That would lead to broken coil buckets, broken shock tabs and spring sag at an unimaginable rate.

There really is nothing to gain from running less preload, other then less threads showing.

 

Okay

 

I went with Icon and I have 0 complaints! Even after I adjusted mine to be level with the rear end the ride is still fantastic! I went with the extended travel coilovers with resi, rear resi shocks, camburg UCA's, dakar leaf springs and timbren bumps and a diff drop and carrier bearing drop (ended up not using the diff drop and got a beafed carrier bearing drop so I didn't use the one I bought first). Total cost me about 3400 shipped.