Icon Lower Control Arm for 2nd Gens - Design Flaw?

My installer did call them and was unable to get a straight answer. Anyways, they're not taking calls for the past week until I think Monday due to SEMA. At this point, I really prefer to have it in writing from them.

 

Sounds like you have great patience. Thanks for keeping things all info & technical without the usual razzle dazzle. Great discussion going on at Best. Hope a resolve comes right quick.

 

Typically folks who have modded their trucks to the point of using upgraded LCAs have already done more invasive work like cab mount relocation, welding in new rear shock towers, etc. There should be no hesitation to try something as simple as swapping the steering stops left and right.

 

I agree. I have no problem with that, as I've already done most of those mods...and will swap the steering stops if that's what works. Swapping stops is new territory for me, as well for many others here. I haven't seen or been able to find anything on the pros/cons of doing this, especially to the Tacos.

 

I’ll be doing an install for these next week. I’ll be sure to add any helpful info that I find. The only issue I can think of with swapping the LBJs side to side (and reversing the steering stops) is that it would limit the turning radius. If they were designed that way, then it shouldn’t be a problem. still seems like a massive oversight from icon to not have noticed or mentioned this.

I know first-hand that when installing their secondary shock kit with LCA skids, you have to weld on an extension for the steering stop to prevent the tire from hitting the shock at full lock so maybe this was accounted for in the design.

 

Did you guys get around to this yet? @GHOST SHIP @Georgeth1022

 

Saturday.

 

Yup, this Saturday. Mr. Ghost Ship does killer work, he has done all of the suspension work on my rig. I’ll be sure to take photos/videos of the install so everyone can see how it turns out. He’s gonna be doing a bunch of work that day.

 

I’m looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with. My installer is waiting on some other parts since there’s a lot other work being done on my rig.

 

The fun has begun

 

Nice build!!

 

It’s official, the steering stops CAN NOT be flipped. Definitely not gonna work. Pics coming soon

 

Have a Plan B?

 

This is very disappointing. I'm anxious to see those pics. Thank you, gentlemen @Georgeth1022 and @GHOST SHIP for doing this and doing a service to the rest of us.

All I can think right now is...MASSIVE FAIL by Icon not only on QC but also on business ethics since they're completely avoiding the subject. Can anyone here verify a couple things:

1. Did these work correctly with the Third Gen Tacoma? (Are the steering stops on the rear side with the Third Gen?)

2. Would a Total Chaos lower control arm work with an otherwise all-Icon front suspension set up like what @Georgeth1022 has?

 

So I can speak to this. The Icon S2 setup will not work with Total Chaos LCA’s. I was going to go this route about a year ago, and was told my TC that it was a no go. The Icon S2 shock is too long.

Regarding the steering stop on the third gen, it is identical to the second gen. The stop is located on the front.

 

Do you think that same applies to this Icon shock? (I have the same LCA as you do)
ICON 2005-2023 TOYOTA TACOMA 2.5 VS EXTENDED TRAVEL REMOTE RESERVOIR COILOVER KIT, 700 LBS/IN COILS IN STOCK SKU : 58735-700:
https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/accessory/14639/icon-accessories-icon-2005-2023-toyota-tacoma-25-vs-extended-travel-remote-reservoir-coilover-kit-700-lbs-in-coils/

I guess the Sales Manager Fred Brayton was full of it then...this obviously won't work for the Third Gen either, if that's the case.

 

So the steering stop issue…. It appears to me that the LCAs were designed this way- to have the extra block on the back of the arm and have the stock steering stop just contact the leading edge of the LCA. The block on the back contacts the knuckle and acts as a stop that way while the front just gouges away at the powder coat. Cutting the steering stops off the stock ball joint mounts wouldn’t really net you much more steering angle since the block at the back of the arm would still contact the knuckle at full lock. We did try flipping the LBJ mounts side to side to have the steering stops at the back of the arms and it was an obvious no go. First the stop doesn’t line up with the block on the control arm and it would just barely catch if at all. Second, if they did make contact, your steering would be severely limited. I’m talking 8-point u-turns, limited. That was my initial theory with stacking steering stops, but we had to check to be sure.

1: I confirmed with several third gens and the steering stop issue identical to second gens. So they should work the same on third gens.

2: TC arms will work with icon but they can’t accommodate Icons secondary shock setup without some cutting and welding/ fabrication.

Overall my impression of these is that they are not a direct bolt on part. We did have to do a little grinding and adjust the pressed in bushings by spreading them back out a little. They came pressed in too deep from the factory which caused a fitment issue where they were too narrow overall. It’s an easy (although tedious) fix if you got the tools, but would be full-stop if you’re a casual weekend wrench. QC was lacking a little as these looked like they had been tossed around a bit- scratches and scuffs in the powder coat which isn’t a big deal to me or @Georgeth1022 since he plans on using these as intended, but for someone that wants pretty parts on their truck, they would be disappointed. I’m not saying don’t buy them, but expect some work to get them on. I haven’t heard these types of issues with TC or BTF LCAs.

 

The end result

 

Few more shots

 

Pictures of the steering stops:

stock orientation, full lock:


stock orientation, neutral setting:

Swapped LBJ mounts. Notice how close the steering stops is on the LBJ mount to the block on the LCA. Not much turning radius there