What is a good preload setting for an Icon Stage 10 kit on a 3rd gen?

I did some searching and wasn't able to find any definitive information as it relates to the amount of preload that Icon adds before shipping. Chances are I didn't look hard enough and if that's the case, please go easy on me.

Recently installed an Icon Stage 10 kit on my 2023 TRD OR and the front is sitting pretty low when compared to the rear. Hub center to fender bottom measurement for the front is ~21.25" and the rear is ~23.75". There is a very visible rake when looking at the truck from the side.

The front springs are the standard rate with the preload set at 1.25" when measuring from the bottom of the top cap to the top of the preload adjuster (there are 13 exposed threads). The rear RXT springs are installed in the "option 1" configuration which adds 1.875" of height according to Icon's documentation.

Apart from the suspension and wheels and tires the truck is completely stock. Wheels are made by Icon in 17x8.5", 4.75" BS/0 offset with 285/70/17 Toyo R/T Trail tires. The front tires rub quite a bit towards the rear of the wheel house and I'm presuming it's because of the low front ride height.

I've asked Icon if the measurements I'm getting are correct, and if not what they should be...I'm still waiting for a response.

It would be extremely helpful if any of you with Icon coilovers on a 3rd gen can tell me what the preload was set at out of the box and how much lift it added when measuring from the hub center to the bottom of the fender opening. For anyone using Icon coilovers and Icon RXT springs, in option 1 configuration, what preload measurement you wound up at (thread count or distance from bottom of top cap to top of preload adjuster) to achieve a level ride height.

Thanks for the help.

 

Probably no one-size-fits answer. Here is what I would do:

1. Jack up the front of your truck until it reaches the height you ultimately want to finish at. Take a hub-to-fender measurement and see how much it has increased.
2. For Tacomas, roughly, front coilover adjustments use a factor of 2. If you adjust to add 1/2" more compression, you will probably get 1" of lift. Not exact science but a good rough guideline.
3. Take off your coilovers and adjust them per steps 1 and 2. Then reinstall and check. Repeat process as necessary to dial it in.

Now at this point most people would say "but I don't wanna make adjustments" and to that I reply "why did you buy adjustable coilovers, bro?" So yeah, good luck.

 

I certainly don't have any issue making adjustments to the front dampers in order to get the ride height dialed in. I've been thinking about this since I published the original post because I came across an old post on TW late last night in the 3rd gen section in which somebody said their Icon front dampers had 1.25" of preload out of the box so I started doing some math...

• Icon states that their coilovers provide an increase of up to 2.75" of front ride height on the 3rd gen which, when using the 2.13" preload limit in the tech notes, works out to a 1.29:1 ratio of ride height increase to preload increase. This passes the sniff test based on the measurements I took after installation (the front of my truck went up ~1.6" with 1.25" of preload).
  
• Stock, the rear of the truck sits 1.5" higher than the front and Icon's RXT springs add 1.875" to rear ride height which would put the rear at 3.375" over a stock front ride height. I also need a closer look at the rear of my truck since the ride height should be much closer to 23" not 23.75".
  
• If Icon's front dampers allow for a max of 2.75" of ride height adjustment the rear of the truck will still sit .625" higher than the front.
• The front dampers will require 2.6" of preload for the truck to sit level front to back unloaded.

This gives me a starting point when I pull the front dampers off and start the adjustment process.

 

Just curious as to what your end result was on your stage 10 lift? I recently installed a stage 7 and have found the same issue with the rake. I will be installing bigger rims and tires and will probably need to raise the front end in order to do so. Did you raise your coil overs to the max setting at 2.1” in order to level it the best you could?

 

Tech at Icon told me that my measurements are what is to be expected with Icon’s factory settings and the rake is normal.

I didn’t mess with it because according to Icon’s specs the amount of preload needed to level the ride would result in a harsher ride.

 

I have the stage 8 on my 2007. I stayed with the factiory setting on the coilovers... didn't want to mess with the up/down travel and ride quality. I'm at option 2 in back (have a canopy) and wanted a rake for towing/hauling. Be aware that your rear will drop as you break it in. I've read that option one will sagg with weight... load up the sand bags and take it off road.

 

Do you have oversized tires/wheels on the front? I’m going with some 285/70/17’s. I realize I might be rubbing here and there on trails, but I really don’t want to rub in and around town. I never thought of the settling… I can go cut some wooo and load up to get the rear to settle. Thanks!

 

I went with 275/70/17 RT Trails... the wheels are 17X8.5", 4.5 BS, 0 offset. Had to do some minor plastic trimming but they clear the cab mounts. If your hitting the mounts try having a alignment shop take a look at it or go for the cab mount chop. If you do any towing/hauling you'll want a rake. After the leafs selttle it should drop the rear at least a 1/2"... maybe more with weight on option 1.
Edit: Mine did hit the mud flaps in front of the cab mounts... had to cut and mold with heat gun to clear.