ICON vs BP-51

First let's the get the links ought of the way:

ARB/OME BP51 $3173.00
ICON Stage 4 $3092.00
ICON Stage 5 $3564.00

The front:
The ICON Stage 4 and Stage 5 seem to be indentical in the front and include a longer travel UCA, while the BP-51 does not include a new UCA, so if you may have to make that a separate purchase, though OME says the kit is only 2" lift (not adjustable) so perhaps not. While the ICONS are ride height adjustable, the BP-51 has a tool for adjusting spring rates while the shock is mounted. Both compression rate and rebound rate can be adjusted separately.

The rear:
The only difference I can find between the ICON Stage 4/5 kits are the rear shocks. The Stage 4 uses Part# 56503R vs the Stage using Part #57805. Not sure if that difference is worth the $450 price tag, but if anyone knows why it is I would appreciate it. Both the ICON Stage 4 and Stage 5 Come with a progressive add-a-leaf while the BP-51 comes with a complete spring replacement. Rear ride height is also adjustable on the ICON and not on the BP-51, which is listed at 2", however, as with the front the BP-51 compression and rebound rates can be adjusted while mounted.

In short:
BP-51: 2" lift (fixed) but adjustable ride quality
ICON: Adjustable ride height (0-3") but fixed ride quality (though tuned to be vehicle specific at the factory)

I chose the both the Stage 4 and Stage 5 ICON kits for comparison because if you choose to buy a new UCA it will place the price range for the BP-51 more inline with the Stage 5 kit. Both of the ICON kits come with a new UCA. When I first started looking I thought this would be a lot easier decision. While BP-51 is more adjustable (you can have a setting for highway and for OffRoad I am guessing, though I am not sure how often I would actually be making adjustments) the ICON is a more time proven set of components. Not that OME is new to the market, but the BP-51 is. Granted, because the BP-51 is newer is seems to be the new "hotness", but ICON has a long a demonstrated history with Tacoma's.

I am currently running Bilstein 5100's in the front set 1.75 and an add-a-leaf in the rear which gives about 2 1/4". Previously I was a running a 2.5" spacer lift in front (I know, I know) and I liked the leveled look a lot better so short term I was considering adjusting the front up to the top setting. This is what got me to thinking of just investing the money and getting a real suspension upgrade. My biggest issue with my Tacoma is, there is so much aftermarket support that it can be hard to figure out which options to go with. I am assuming that since the BP-51 ride height is not adjustable it will keep the factory rake.

I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has had either or both installed. Thanks for any feedback.

 

I don't think anyone has BP51 installed yet on a Tacoma.

I might know of a few 4runner guys that do in T4R.org.

 

I've got an Icon stage 4 kit (extended travel remote reservoir front and back) with the tubular Icon UCAs and a Dakar leaf pack in the rear. I would highly advise spending the money for a whole leaf pack and not just an AAL. It rides great and handles the extra weight I have when fully loaded up with gear. Wheelers off road let me keep customize the "kit" with the Dakar very easily.

Overall I love the suspension and am extremely pleased with the ride on and off road. The adjustability in the front in very easy to do, but once a found a good height I've really left it alone.

 

Man that looks sweet

 

@SC2SC (icon) and I were just at URE

 

Yes it does!

 

Comments and questions in red

 

Need more pics, I got em.

 

@Sandman614 Thanks for the info. I have never seen any of these setups in the wild and I don't anyone who has them, which is why I was asking. I am only going by the information the various dealers/makers have on their web sites. Thanks for the feed back! It is very much appreciated! Oh, and what are you cutting on in the pic?

@Bluebear Do you need new bump stops with ICON?

 

I have also heard that Ome advertises 2" of lift but that's based on a already higher stock ride height than we have here. The gain would likely be at least 3". I've had some of their stuff on my wife's old 3rd gen 4Runner and really liked the ride quality.
I put the icons on my 3nd gen and am really happy with it so far

 

@Camel51 has bp51s installed @Blackouts and I have them on the way I paid 3150 w LR UCAs included

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/old-man-emu-bp51.432598/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ome-bp-51-suspension-coming-in-2015.344508/

 

Rear lower shock bolts were seized

Here are my gains, with the same rear leaf pack.

OME 886s:
Driver front
22.5
Driver rear
24

Pass front
22.5
Pass rear
24

OME BP51s:
Driver front
23.25
Driver rear
24.5

Pass front
23.25
Pass rear
24.5

 

With my recently installed OME BP51s it gave me about 4" of lift.

 

Thank for all of the replies everyone!

 

what the max tire size to run with the bp51's?

 

I have 31.5" tires. It looks like I should be able to fit 33s. Not sure if it'll fit larger than that.

 

Any more BP51's out there? I'm at the same cross roads as the OP. Wonder what the OP went with.

 

Unfortunately the Army said it was time to move again, so until things settle down, I am forced to wait.

 

@twalchlii1 I think said he went the BP-51 route.

 

Bummer. Did you make a decision before you decide to hold off? I've been searching everywhere to get more info on the bp51. I can't even find what the spring rate is. Called arb and they weren't any help at all