OME w/ Dakars v. Icon Stage 2

Good day all! I am looking to upgrade my '14 DCSB 4x4's suspension and am debating between two kits.

First, the vehicle:

2014 DCSB 4x4 A5
71K miles and counting
Leer 100R cap

Vehicle use is 95% road (daily driver) and 5% trails in a good year. I will be staying w/ the stock tire size. I will not be adding any armor for the foreseeable future. I plan to move back west in the next 2 years and as such will be hitting trails far more often. No rock crawling foreseen, mainly forestry roads, etc. I plan to keep this truck as long as possible (such as the 400K+ 2nd Gen a member has on here), so I will pay more for better quality.

My end goal: Improved suspension quality, eliminate rear end sag caused by my cap, retain factory rake. Adding any height is secondary, and I'm not interested in lifting to the point that I would need to do a differential drop, upgrade LCA's, etc.

With all of this in mind, I am looking at two kits:

Toytec OME kit w/ 884's and Dakar leaf pack: https://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/OME-TAK--OME-Tacoma-Suspension-lift-kit_p_231.html

ORW Icon Stage 2 kit (no link right now but it's the same Stage 2 that Icon sells everywhere).

So what are the pros and cons of each kit? I've always heard that OME is the go-to for Toyota vehicles, but I've also heard a lot of good about the Icons, and w/ the group buy going on right now the price for the Icons is excellent (won't post price IAW group buy rules).

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

As far as the shocks go, there is not much comparison between them. The Icons are much large with much more dampening ability than the OME shocks. Both are good quality options though.

For the rear an OME kit is going to come with complete replacement leaf packs which you may or may not need. The Icon kit will come with a 3 Leaf Progressive Add-a-leaf set. If your stock springs are in good shape, then the aal is an excellent option and really helps improve the rear end ride and performance.

 

Neither. Buy Kings.

 

Wow, that's really helpful.

 

Icon Stage 2 with the OME Dakar.

It is what I am doing right now. I tried the AAL, but in the end I didn't like it. With all the added weight of the cap and bed platform, and the toyota leaf spring recall, the drop on the rear finally got to me.

I briefly looked at the OME shocks and springs, but I was told that the Icon shocks are much better. I couldn't find anyone to dispute that. I do not have experience with OME shocks/springs...but I can say the Icon shocks/springs are worth having.

 

After researching TW for weeks, I ended up purchasing an Icon stage 3 suspension with OME Dakars in the back. Replace the entire leaf pack. All the cool kids are doing it.

 

It is. Both of those options are crap and OP will regret it in the long run.

 

Ok, care to elaborate on why that is?

 

Chosen OME set is crap because it is budget components and will not attain OP's goals of being a quality, long-term improvement. If buying OME, BP 51 is the way to go.

ICON is crap because their customer service is atroscious (I can write up a damn dissertation on this subject) and any encountered problems will result in OP wanting to tear his head off instead of enjoying his vehicle.

Buy quality, cry once. BP 51, Kings, high-end FOX options. Nothing else.

 

Honestly... if you don't really plan to do any real off-roading I'd say save money and do the full OME suspension setup. Though I'd do 885's instead of 884's (which are for access cabs). The 885's net about 2-2.5" of lift up front on a DCSB. You can also do 887's if you want 2.5-3" but then it's recommended you upgrade the Upper Control Arms so things align better. If you do the full Dakar leaf springs and only do 884's up front the truck will probably look a bit lobsided.

The Full Dakar rear leaf springs are designed for carrying loads. So they can be really stiff if you don't have a topper or other weight in the back (you won't notice on paved city streets though).

Icon is really good stuff but your money's worth comes from using it for hardcore off-road in my opinion. Icon is all about improved dampening for hitting rough roads and being able to do it at speed with stability and ride/handling.

 

OP, if you want improvements on the cheap, buy a few sets of near-new 2016+ TRD Off-Road take offs that are available by the dozen on every Toyota forum. You'll get a 1-inch lift, comfy ride, and OEM stuff that will last. Far from highest quality, but probably the best bang for the buck in your case. I say buy several of these sets because that way you'll have low-mileage spares any time you need them in the future.

 

You are freaking hilarious.

You really think buying 2016 take offs is better than Icon or OME stuff? And you really think a guy who is doing 95% daily driving and possibly 5% dirt trails should buy Kings, Fox, or OME BP-51s? Why? That's all like Baja racing styled suspension systems for a guy who just wants to go down a forest service road.

Seriously.... W...T...F...

 

The best reason to replace the entire rear leaf pack is simply because Toyota's factory leaf packs are well known for sagging over time. And nobody wants a pickup with a droopy rear end!

 

I'm definitely hilarious, but you've yet to hear one of my jokes.

For OP's need of 5% dirt trails, OEM off-road Bilsteins will be perfectly capable, will be cheaper, and will last longer. Plus they'll give him the small lift he wants. It's simply the most logical and economical option. If he's going to buy aftermarket, there's no sense half-assing it with low-mid grade OME or ICON gear.

 

I can understand your view that upgrading from the OEM stuff to OME or ICON isn't required for his type of usage. That part makes sense. But telling him that OME and Icon are junk and that he should blow a huge wad on cash on Kings or Fox for his usage made absolutely zero sense at all. That was your initial approach.

 

OP: my usage of the Tacoma is like yours. It's 95% of the time my daily driver aka pavement princess. 5% I might do some offroading and that's just trail stuff no crazy rock climbing or anything to rugged.

I went with the OME lift with the 887 coils and the dakar leafs for the back. The ride is dramatically better than my stock OEM TRD Sport suspension and thats with the E-rated KO2s for wheels.

Hope that helps.

 

Is lift guaranteed with the Icon stage 2? I have no use for added height. I would rather retain factory geometry while improving ride quality. Is that an option? Sorry for the hijack.

 

If you do aftermarket suspension you'll end up with some amount of lift. Unless you just go to a repair shop and ask for generic replacement shocks (which probably wouldn't be an upgrade anyhow).

 

I figured as much. Will it look ridiculous if I keep stock size tires (265/70/16)?

 

Depends on the amount of lift you get. If you stick with 16s I'd say go with 265/75/16. Close to stock size and should fit your lift look a little more.