Help deciding- GX550 w/ Icon CDEV stage 10 vs. GX550 overtrail

[SWCruiser]

Anyone have experience with both??? I know how the overtrail rides and wasn't overly impressed. My 2006 lx470 with 300K+ miles actually drives better on the road. I also have 2 80s and to be honest id rather be behind the wheel of either of those than the gx. It has the driving feel of an 80 but doesnt feel as robust. At the 80+K pricepoint the interior is a miss for me also. Anyway- The issue is we dont LOVE any options on the market so my wife says she would like the GX550 with panoramic window. The overtrail doesnt have it. I ike the ride of the non overtrail even less so has anyone drive a stage 10 icon lift? Is it a huge improvement compared to stock? how does it compare to the overtrail?

We like the feel of the LX interior and handling but cant get over the awful aesthetics. The C pillar looks like a minivan and nearly every other economy sedan and the vehicle from the rear is simply ugly. Im in the design industry so its hard to overlook something i find offensive. We are hopeful for the next update but need something soon. the 300 series LC looks like a big improvement over the lx but alas dont think it will make its way over.

 

[04UZJ100]

Icon is instabro garbage.

 

[SWCruiser]

that bad??? any suspension options out there that can improve the ride of the non overtrail GX?

 

[TaishoCruiser]

I haven't tried them on a GX550 yet, but a good pair of coilovers from King (number of vendors), Dirt King (great company, do Kings and their own shocks which I think I built off of Elkas), Fox, ADS, or BP51's. You can do a UCA (again, lots of options, I like Dirt King and OME from a maintenance POV).

A number of people here have had Icons snap shafts along with some other customer service issues (cracked wheels, leaky seals, etc). FWIW I haven't seen many complaints about their control arms.

 

[Tex68w]

Icon is instabro garbage.

I wouldn't go that far but I am not impressed with their stuff either and don't recommend it.

Anyone have experience with both??? I know how the overtrail rides and wasn't overly impressed. My 2006 lx470 with 300K+ miles actually drives better on the road. I also have 2 80s and to be honest id rather be behind the wheel of either of those than the gx. It has the driving feel of an 80 but doesnt feel as robust. At the 80+K pricepoint the interior is a miss for me also. Anyway- The issue is we dont LOVE any options on the market so my wife says she would like the GX550 with panoramic window. The overtrail doesnt have it. I ike the ride of the non overtrail even less so has anyone drive a stage 10 icon lift? Is it a huge improvement compared to stock? how does it compare to the overtrail?

We like the feel of the LX interior and handling but cant get over the awful aesthetics. The C pillar looks like a minivan and nearly every other economy sedan and the vehicle from the rear is simply ugly. Im in the design industry so its hard to overlook something i find offensive. We are hopeful for the next update but need something soon. the 300 series LC looks like a big improvement over the lx but alas dont think it will make its way over.

I don't think the ride is all that bad, just don't leave it in Comfort beyond 30mph. The pano is overrated. I'd go with no sunroof at all if it were an option. We chose the OT because we wanted the extra off-road goodies, and I liked that it looked decently aggressive enough for the misses without having to do much. We moved up a size on the tires, and it made the ride more stable and gave it a slightly more aggressive look.

The LX700h is ugly, even the OT model. Sure, the interior appointments are nicer, but they damn well should be for $40K more. We wanted to replace our 200 with a 300 Land Cruiser, but that's not going to be so I'd let go of that pipe dream and pick from what's actually available.

 

[SWCruiser]

I wouldn't go that far but I am not impressed with their stuff either and don't recommend it.



I don't think the ride is all that bad, just don't leave it in Comfort beyond 30mph. The pano is overrated. I'd go with no sunroof at all if it were an option. We chose the OT because we wanted the extra off-road goodies, and I liked that it looked decently aggressive enough for the misses without having to do much. We moved up a size on the tires, and it made the ride more stable and gave it a slightly more aggressive look.

The LX700h is ugly, even the OT model. Sure, the interior appointments are nicer, but they damn well should be for $40K more. We wanted to replace our 200 with a 300 Land Cruiser, but that's not going to be so I'd let go of that pipe dream and pick from what's actually available.

yeah i would like the OT myself but its a truck for the misses and honestly this truck isnt going to be wheeled. Agree on the aggressive look- a good balance of modern look and rugged look without being too much. Alas, the lady wants panoramic roof so...... i guess im out of luck. This will be a daily driver. I also thought getting the OT would be a better investment for resale if we see a nice update on the lx model and decide to get into one of those.

Thanks for the info on the shocks. Ill do some looking for down the road.

 

[m1w]

I have a lower end non-CDEV Icon lift kit and I've test driven an OT.

Stock vs stock, the OT ride was smoother compared to my Lux+. I felt the difference in tires at all speeds, and ekdss helps driving dynamics. Both were as expected. I didn't get enough time behind the wheel to the OT to can't compare my lifted GX.

The overall ride is more composed, and it soaks up small bumps or series of bumps at all speeds. It sometimes feel floaty, smooth but a little disconnected. There's noticeably more brake dive on sudden stops.

A stock LX570 feels more refined. Feels similar to my friend's lifted 200. It feels incrementally better in almost every way versus my old GX470 and various 5th gen 4runners I've spent time in.

When I purchased my options were King or Icon. King had a 8 week lead time so I went with Icon. I don't regret it but I'm not sure I would make the same choices today with all the options out there now.

Hope this helps!

 

[Specialeyes]

Have you looked into the OME MT64’s? I don’t have any firsthand experience but was researching them a few weeks ago. Seen a few favorable posts from people running them on 250’s and Tacomas.

 

[Oakleyguy]

I wouldn't go that far but I am not impressed with their stuff either and don't recommend it.



I don't think the ride is all that bad, just don't leave it in Comfort beyond 30mph. The pano is overrated. I'd go with no sunroof at all if it were an option. We chose the OT because we wanted the extra off-road goodies, and I liked that it looked decently aggressive enough for the misses without having to do much. We moved up a size on the tires, and it made the ride more stable and gave it a slightly more aggressive look.

The LX700h is ugly, even the OT model. Sure, the interior appointments are nicer, but they damn well should be for $40K more. We wanted to replace our 200 with a 300 Land Cruiser, but that's not going to be so I'd let go of that pipe dream and pick from what's actually available.

I mean, I think it look pretty good with 35s and sliders

Agree, avoid Icon. Each year at LCDC there were one or two catastrophic failures of their shocks. Looks at Kings if you want high end.

 

[Specialeyes]

I mean, I think it look pretty good with 35s and sliders

View attachment 4093327

Agree, avoid Icon. Each year at LCDC there were one or two catastrophic failures of their shocks. Looks at Kings if you want high end.

I don’t really want an LX but every time I see @Oakleyguy ‘s I reconsider!

 

[MRego]

I don’t really want an LX but every time I see @Oakleyguy ‘s I reconsider!

Yeah...as the saying goes - beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me the LX OT is the evolution of the traditional LC200 shape modernized to the current times. On the other hand, I happen to find the GX fugly as hell. IMO it just tries too hard to be futuristic and emulate the LR Defender, but with that ugly hump in the beltline towards the back. It is the hot-new-squared-thing that all ladies want (like the Defender) but I do not think it will age well. Even the 250Prado has a better grill/hood/headlights/bumper combination - though having the same body as the GX.

 

[Corbet]

I plan to add Slee’s ADS shocks to my LC-250 when funds allow. I’ve been running them on my 80 for a long time. Another option to King above Icon IMHO.

 

[SWCruiser]

Update. placing an order for a luxury premium. the dealer was willing to deal on a 700. but the wife says GX. i see great pics of the 700 but when i see one on the street it falls flat. huge looking bulbous rear end and that rear window cannot be fixed. the earth color and blacked out design definitely helps.

thanks for the info on the shocks. i've heard good things about the ADS and kings from the 80s group. love to hear how the ADS do on the 250.

 

[JWNissan]

Congrats! You'll love it. My only recommendation (besides running our Dissent Off-Road armor ) is have the shocks custom tuned once your build is complete. It can make a world of difference. Or buy the shocks from a reputable retailer like Accutune or similar that will tune the shocks for free with purchase.