Deciding on leaf springs... '16 Taco, Icon 2.0 rear shocks

I've got an ICON Stage 4 suspension setup right now, including the progressive add-a-leaf. This comes with the 2.0 rear shocks w/ remote reservoirs (part number 56503R). ICON's site does not specify shock travel length.

My daily "extra" weight is as follows:

- canopy (~150-170lbs)
- bed slide (~80-100lbs)
- misc gear (~40lbs)
- sliders (~80lbs)
- aux batteries (~60lbs)

Soon to come is another drawer setup that'll be in the 100-150lb range. Also just ordered a PrInSu canopy rack (40-50lbs?). My camping gear will vary between another 100-250lbs, plus 80lb dog.

The current setup gave me 1 7/8" of lift in the rear (the front coilovers were adjusted to match). I would like that to go up to 3", while keeping the front height as-is, for a roughly 1" rake.

I'm liking what I'm reading about the All Pro Standard and Expedition leaf springs. I think the Expedition springs would be a good match for my needs, but I'm not sure if my rear shocks have the necessary travel.

I came across an older thread here that suggested my shocks are too short for the Standard all-pro leaf pack, much less the Expedition one. Then again, Headstrong Off-Road's description for my shocks says they can handle up to 3" of lift (which is what those leaf packs would provide), but this seems to be listed under the 2nd gen products, so I don't know whether that's still true for the 3rd gen, or whether the max lift is less.

I'm open to going with Dakars, or getting custom leafs made, too. Hoping to avoid having to get new rear shocks to accommodate a higher lift.

Any thoughts?

Also, I'm planning on swapping out the front coilovers' springs for a 1" longer version (while keeping the same weight rating of 650lbs) to decrease the preload while keeping the same 1 7/8" lift. Don't think that'll affect the rear leaf discussion, but thought I'd throw it in just in case.

 

All Pro got back to me and told me that to use their Expedition leaf pack, rear shocks should have between 9.1" and 9.6" of travel. Anyone know what the travel is for the ICON 56503R shocks I mentioned above? I can't get a reply from ICON themselves.

 

Okay, finally got the numbers from ICON:

Extended: 24.35"
Collapsed: 14.225"

Travel: 10.125", which is longer than the 9.1"-9.6" range desired for the leaf packs.

Anyone know what this combination/mis-match will result in, as far as ride and capability goes? All Pro tell me the shocks may bottom out, but I'm having trouble wrapping my head around that. If the shocks have more travel than the leaf pack, shouldn't it be the leaf pack that reaches its max capability first?

 

At compression the shocks will bottom out before your bumps. So you would just need to adjust your bumps to ensure you are at full bump before the shock is at full compression. At droop the springs will be the limiter which is preferred so you don't overextend your shocks.

 

Gotcha. That makes sense - thank you.

So I'd need rear bumpstops to compensate for the 0.525" difference between the leaf pack's max desired travel, and my shocks' range. I could grab something like this along with their bumpstop spacers, or perhaps just the spacers (if they'll fit on OEM bumpstops)? I could stack one 3/8" spacer with another 1/4", for a total of 0.625", which would lower my rear shocks' travel to 9.5" - right in the desired range for the leaf pack.

Am I missing anything?

 

I have the wheelers bumps on mine, but haven't spaced them yet. From what I have read, since every truck is a little different, you should do something along the lines of removing the shocks and finding a way to take it to full bump. Then measure the distance from bottom to top shock mount and adjust your bumps until that distance is slightly more than your collapsed shock.

Edit: I'm running the same shocks with AP standard leaf springs so I really need to do this exercise and get my bumps right

 

Gotcha. Sounds like I need to find a shop w/ a forklift. Or maybe my Hi-Lift jack can do the trick... In any case, simple enough of a solution, so now I'm confident enough to order the expedition leafs (when they become available in a month)! Thanks for your help.

 

I Know this is an old thread, but I have an ICON Stage 4 and am about to upgrade from the 13in 650lb coils to the 14in 700lb coils, and from the 1.5in AAL to the ICON RXT leaf pack.

I also have the 2.0 rear shocks with remote reserviors (PN: 56503R). Could you send a pic of the setup after the new leaf pack and what you would recommend with the rear shocks? What was your solution and outcome?