Stock shock tower buckets different sizes?

Ok. Got a new one that had me scratching my head. Has anyone noticed that the stock rear shock towers are different sizes on the driver and passenger sides for 2nd gens? I was installing Icon 2.5 rear shocks on @the dashing ham ’s 2012 today and the shock fit fine on the drivers side but would not fit on the passengers side. After some back and forth I verified that both shocks were the same and the part number was indeed for a 2nd gen Tacoma but the old tape measure told me what was wrong. The shock tower on the drivers side sticks out about an inch more than the passenger side which in turn moves the mounting hole for the top stem outward on the drivers side (or inward in the passengers side). The 2.5” shock body would make contact with the frame and not allow the top bushing to seat all the way. The drivers side shop went in just fine as expected. At first I though something must’ve happened to his truck for this abnormality but I verified on mine (2015) and it was the same.

Didn’t see anything on Icons website that even mentioned the difference.

Has anyone noticed this before? Any known workarounds to install 2.5 shocks in the stock location? I can fav something up but just trying to gauge what other have done before I start cutting and welding.

pics of passengers side:







pics with measurements for comparisons (and 2.0 shocks).
passenger:



driver:

 

2015 prerunner. Verified approximately 1” difference.

 

Thanks.



I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there that has successfully installed 2.5 rear shock in the stock buckets without modification and/or what mods they did to get there. I know there’s a shock relocate but the owner wants to keep it stock-ish.

 

Yep noticed this on my 3rd gen as well. I just elongated the hole on the passenger side with a Dremel and carbide cutter. Not a big deal esp. when you have to drill a hole in the frame for the resi bracket.

 

Thanks for replying.
I thought about doing that but took into consideration that with off-road driving that the elongated hole could cause premature wear to the shock mounting stem with the excessive movement. I’d be curious if you ever remove the shock if you’ll notice any abnormal wear either to the stem of bucket.
How much did you notch the hole?


My initial thought was to elongate the hole and weld in a steel washer of appropriate thickness, essentially relocating the hole in a way. It’s probably the least intrusive fix that I could think of as opposed to making a new bucket from scratch.

 

The OEM Kings are 2.5” and bolt it just fine. Installed a set myself on someone’s truck. Doesn’t answer any questions you may have, but a data point for you.

edit: it WAS a third gen though. Maybe a difference. But never heard of this issue before.

 

Thanks Randy. I did notice it was just a hair off with the upper collar of the icon being bigger than the shock body. I figured if they were they same size, it would fit.

 

It won't matter, because the hole isn't close-tolerance fitment anyway. Once you tighten down the nuts and put a little squeeze in the urethane bushings, there is minimal side load from the shock stem to the hole.

 

That was my guess as well. I did edit my post to reflect it was a third gen I installed on so maybe a difference, but I’m not sure. I know @fatfurious2 had icon 2.5 on his second gen with no supposed issues.

 

Now that a few people have chimed in I feel a lot better about it. I’ve been doing installs for a few years and this is the first time I’ve ever noticed this so it threw me off. Especially since I could find no mention of it anywhere- and that’s using my super sleuth search abilities here and google-fu. Kinda feel like Icon should mention this.
Very reminiscent of the whole “notch the bucket” fiasco from a couple years back.

 

This? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-rear-2-0-rr-shocks-too-close-to-upper-shock-mount.396459/

It's actually a similar issue. OP had a problem with the hose elbow clearance on the driver's side, because the hole is farther from the frame. Everyone else posted pictures from the passenger side saying they had clearance.

Compared to all the other fuckery routinely done here (like cab mount chop), elongating the shock bucket hole or notching it a little is low on the risk scale.

 

Oh you missed it. This ones a doozy of you care to read it over.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-leaking-resi-warning-notching-bs-and-f-ks-given.483316/

 

Right? Wierded me out. At first I thought it was some lazy shenanigans at the factory like the different spark plugs. Still can’t think of a reason the these to be different though.

 

I had 2.5s a while ago. @RUSSELLTACO has his icons off his truck right now and can take some pictures.. I didn't read the previous posts because im camping right now and in between service

 

I don't remember any issues when i installed mine.

I thought i saw people trimming the bucket. But it might have been for the 2.0s. But i don't remember having issues with the frame, just the bucket