The Mini Fridge (5th Gen T4R) Build -- SOLD

How are the Kings compared to the Icons?

 

Butter? I usually hear that term used in the golf forums. I'm sure its a butter smooth ride. I'm debating changing out my Toytec Boss 2.5s for the Kings.

 

Kings are worth it if you ask anyone that has them. I personally do not have kings and have no desire to get them because it's a lot more shock than I require (hell, my current Icons are more shock than I require). I have ridden in trucks with Kings and can tell you the butt dyno-meter reads a much smoother ride. A lot of it has to do with valving and comparable spring rates to what you have your truck built up with, but most guys are within the 650-700# range on springs.
Icon's will be an improvement over your Boss setup and Kings are the next step beyond that (personal opinion). I've never heard of anyone regretting going with kings or "upgrading" after the fact so that says something. Whereas other brands have left people wanting more.

I don't like recommending shocks to people because everything depends on what your ultimate end-use will be for the truck (not to mention budget). If you're considering Kings and are already looking beyond the Boss kit, then I'd say go for it, you wont regret it.

Edit: being friends with Matt and knowing the evolution of his truck and now T4R, I can tell you that he had the top of the line setup from Icon and went with a "lower tiered" kit form King and reports a smoother ride on-road and off, but I don't want to speak for him, just adding my $.02.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Kings are def on the radar. I'm hoping to jump on someone's truck the next time I'm out there.

 

I agree! If you get Kings in a group buy though, they are the same price or cheaper than icons.

I also need to specify that my icons were beat to shit and that is why there was a good difference. When the icons were freshly rebuilt, when I got the truck, they rode great! I can't do a fair comparison because it was long ago that it rode that well.

Another reason I made the switch is that in calculating the cost to rebuild all six shocks, versus buying new kings and selling all 6 shocks, I actually made a solid profit (my fiancée thanks me for that because it added a small amount to the ring fund). Yeah, I have less of a set up according to some, but it rides great, and I drive 100 miles a day in Los Angeles. I would rather wear down 4 shocks on the road than 6.

Last reason I switched. Shocks were freshly rebuilt when I bought the truck at 24k miles. At 50k (26k on the shocks), 3 of the shocks were leaking, and both coilovers needed new shafts. I have heard a lot about icons having these problems but never king so I made the switch. I actually would have gone with ADS if I didn't get the great deal on Kings. They are both the top tier companies in my opinion.

Sorry for taking so long. I've been traveling a lot for work this week. Currently in my favorite state, Florida...

 

Thanks for the response brother. I'm leaning towards the Kings. Did you stick with the standard coils and travel? How's the performance? I'm getting the Relentless front and rear bumpers. I want to make sure that the spring rates are solid. What rear springs are you running in a the rear?

 

It's interesting you say this and I am intrigued for sure. I drove the SDHQ 4Runner with the same Icon setup you had and can't imagine a ride being better than that. That thing was smooth as silk. Was beyond impressed with it.

 

I think it is safe to say that the set up I had with a fresh rebuild (Brooke's rig) would ride close to how my rig rides now. It was just long ago and I can't remember to compare the two.

I'm not a big fan of people who knock Icon completely. They have just as many happy customers. I would have kept the set up if it made sense for me and just rebuilt.

 

You getting the same bumpers as me then? Or variations?

For my exact set up, I've done some trial and error. I have 650 coils up front, extended travel (uniball control arms). If you get the full plate, I'd get 700 coils.

Rear springs, I cannot reccomend icon overland springs enough. @JerryTaco has their leaf spring equivalent pretty much and I think he loves it as well. Icon has some great springs.

 

Also @JerryTaco, when is S2 coming for you??

 

I'm getting the same StingRay with a Warn VR10 winch. I currently have the Boss 2.5 with 650lbs in. I was planning on getting the Kings with 700lbs and the 2.5" springs.

How's the ride with the Icon Overland springs when on reg road? Is it harsh?

 

Not really sure yet. I'm sure it'll be in before the end of the year, but can't say exactly when just yet. Last piece of the suspension puzzle though... VERY happy with the new Icon RXT rear setup though. Got 2 solid camping trips in with them and they have held the weight of my gear without a problem and the ride quality is superb

 

@christyle recently pointed me to a very interesting website that has deepened my understanding of shock setups: http://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/

I've long appreciated Icon and King. My friends and I have run both and never seen any noticeable performance differences. They are premium shocks and greatly improve the performance of the truck. The key is getting shocks that are set up for the terrain or driving that you do most often. But understand there will be trade-offs every single time. There are no silver bullets.

Read the article; I'm still processing it. As I understand it all, digressive shocks (such as Icon) are great for handling, but may feel harsh on small stuff. Progressive shocks (such as King) may feel buttery on the road and in washboard, but may feel really bouncy in the whoops.

 

That's exactly why I don't like recommending suspension to people that are new. There are some fanboys for Kings that consider everything else to be garbage, but really that's not the case. One size does not fit all. I always recommend people do their own research and take people's opinions with a grain of salt.

Thank you for the article, I'll have to read the rest of it in greater detail, but one thing I didn't see mentioned in there was, "What's the biggest tire I can fit?"

 

Yep. Similarly, I have long been an Icon fanboy. Adding Icons to my truck was probably the single best performance enhancement and worth every damn dollar. Now I'm building a 5th gen T4R with different use and needs in mind, so I'm trying to be objective before I buy. (Hard).

For biggest tire, see Procomp

 

Did you throw the extra leaf in?

 

Sorry just realized I didn't respond.

They are spectacular on and off road man.

 

Not yet. Gotta get caught up on projects from being down with the broken ribs. New swtichpro brain mount went in last night, prinsu this weekend and maybe the leaf mods next week. Gonna help a local member/buddy get his tacoma back together this weekend which is derailing my plans for my truck, but he's up against a deadline to get his done.

 

Just checked out the t4r site as I have the itch to pick one up for wifey. Shits confusing af on a cell phone geezus