Thoughts after Icon RXT Leaf Pack Install

Squad,

I have another thread where I'd been discussing how to eliminate camper shell sag here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fear-of-the-sag.779572/

It has photos of my truck before and after the shell install.

I landed on getting the Icon RXT leafs delivered and installed (to eliminate said shell sag). Suspension is just something I don't do myself. I don't have the lift for it. So I got RPM garage to do it. They rule. Just incredibly nice, knowledgable, guys. I highly recommend them.

My truck came from the dealership - brand new - with dealer installed TRD Lift, 17 inch method wheels, and 275 wildpeaks. I loved the rake and lift. And it was exactly what I would have done to the truck myself... plus I got them to knock off the dealer installed option markup (and got the truck at msrp).

ANYWAY, I put a Leer 100XR on it. I lost an inch of rake and developed the appearance of a sag. Hence the above thread about sag.

RPM put the leafs on today. They pulled the rear one inch TRD lift block and put the Icons in option 2. I thought it would bring back the 1 inch of lost rake - but it seemed to boost me up two inches. I'm wondering if I should have gone option 1 now. The truck definitely gained some height. Love the drive. Just don't totally love the giant rear lift. I wish it was a bit more level. Would love some thoughts and opinions on whether option 1 would bring me down an inch? I really just plan on letting the shell live on the truck - and packing it up with camping/surfing/climbing gear when needed. But not all the time.

After leaf install (before in the thread above):



Now that it's done - and I'm up 2 inches (at least) do I need to upgrade my upper control arms at this point? I'm seeing a lot of conflicting opinions on this (searching old threads). It wasn't easy for RPM to align it with the oem uppers but they got it done - and I'm tracking straight etc. They managed to get about 1.6 caster out of the oem uppers which is about as much as they could go. Everything's great, the ride, nothings's rubbing etc. Just keep reading about how much I should want 4-5 degrees of caster on here lol. Not looking to spend an additional $1200 if I don't need to though, obviously (on upper arms). It really does ride great. Highway, city roads, train tracks... feels good. Easy to steer, not too stiff.

One more of the truck in the driveway with the icon leafs on:



On a side note: I only have 327 miles on the truck. So who wants oem Toyota leafs, U bolts, and TRD rear lift blocks with 327 miles on them? Come pick them up in LA for $100 for all (AAL's not included):

 

I would guess that the new leafs will still settle some eventually, maybe it will settle out where you like it? I have a camper shell on my Tacoma and with some extra gear back there the sag is pretty noticeable. I'd like to fix mine too but I'm not really looking for more lift either. Oh and I want it to not ride rough. Hopefully you figure out the magic setup for me!

I am new to the Tacoma game but have lots of experience with 4Runners and some Land Cruiser experience with UCAs. If you are fine with how it drives and tracks on the interstate and aren't trying to get some more tire clearance at the back of the wheel well, I wouldn't worry about new UCAs. I installed an Eibach Pro lift on my wife's Tacoma and think the caster after alignment came in at 1.6 too. Drives like it did before the lift as far as I can tell.

 

I think it looks good

 

I put a snugtop on my longbed. I found that just loaded for a quick camping trip my stock springs went flat. Switched to icon rxt on stage 2 in the back and replaced the coilovers and UCAs in front. I didn't change the front height much but got the 2" lift in the back described above.

It will settle a little bit but not that much. I've grown fond of the little bit of extra rake when completely unloaded. Where it shines is loaded for camping or carrying a bit of firewood. No sag at all and rides like a dream.

Don't sweat the rake. The look grows on you and it makes for better performance when loaded.

 

What’s your center of hub up to fender front and rear?

 

Trucks are supposed to have a little rake for carrying loads, ya know using a truck as a truck…

 

A LITTLE rake is what I’m looking for… ya know… to carry stuff.

 

Here ya go!




Oh I know, had OME heavies on my 1st Gen, looked like someone gave it a swift kick in ass. Used to haul 20 gallons of water by the tailgate so it would sit level, between when I didn’t have it loaded for trips. Rode better too…

 

itll settle

 

Congrats! I'd enjoy it before changing anything. It may settle a bit as advised above (perhaps even quicker if you load the bed during a long drive.)

Time to add a fire extinguisher (mounted on quick fists) and other gear that every prepared truck owner should have.

 

Agreed with other posters regarding settling... my RXT settled ≈0.5'' after a few months. The truck looks great btw!

 

How much does that camper shell weigh? Option 1 is good for up to 300lbs over stock to get the 1.8" lift, though mine lifted about 2.2" after settling. It's not uncommon for the RXT's to lift more than advertised, seen many reports about it in addition to my own experience. That + riding like crap is why I got rid of mine, but it should settle after 1000 miles or so.

 

hahaha thx for this

 

Thanks everyone! I def love the truck. It’s my fourth taco, but first 3rd Gen 4x4. Had an 1986, 1987 (from grandpa), 2017 2wd for my wife, and finally this is the dream truck.

So you hated option 1? And pulled the leaf pack? What did you end up going with instead?

Am I nuts or does it sound like option 2 is the preferred ride? Honestly, feels great to me with just the shell (about 200lbs).

 

Seems like everyone around here jumps to stage 2. After how harsh Option 1 was to me, I can't imagine how stiff Option 2 would be, but it definitely rides better when weighed down. I'm pretty much stock weight so it rode excessively harsh in my case, even though it advertises that it is supposed to be fine there. But I don't like Icon's shocks; I don't know why I thought their leaf pack would be any different (I blame the marketing). I replaced with a J66 which is more suited for a stock weight bed. The J66 also offers a lower lift height of about 1.5" as well which is what I was after to be able to keep my front lift lower to maximize travel and ride quality.

 

Be sure to mount your quick fists with quick fists

 

I run mine with option two. I have about 1.5 inches of lift up front (eibach pro truck in first clip) and a snugtop shell. Has a decent amount of rake, but when travelling I tend to load it down so that is what I prefer. Besides once you start adding stuff the weight increases. I added a bed mat, various tools, tire chains etc. and pretty quick there was another 100 or so extra pounds. I came over from a single AAL on the truck and I much prefer how the RXTs on option two behave.

 

Eh?

 

Good point. I do have the shell + bed mat + scattered random gear + surfboards and etc on any given day. I'll ride it for a while without messing with it. But, damn, it's def lifted lol. My 2 year old calls it a "monster truck" now.

 

I wish they made a option 4 for my set up, moved from an OME HD due to the endless squeaking and that it was starting to sag a lot after 3 years, but that was due to all the consistent weight I am sure. It’s been about 2 months since I have had them on and can feel them and see they are starting to settle