Any update or time tested experience that can be shared on the ICON remote reservoir shocks, reservoir mounting location preference and recommendations, best UCAs to pair with, issues with bottoming out on UCA frame, etc....?
Mine have been on for just about 6 months/5K miles and have done well overall across a range of driving conditions.
Top benefits: higher speed feel/control on pavement and dirt, more flexibility, less harsh on slow speed hits to the front wheels
Drawbacks: Location of front reservoirs, need to protect rear shock shafts from rocks/gravel
More details:
As posted above, I'm using the Icons in the front with SPC UCAs and have the reservoirs mounted horizontally in front of the front wheels. I have OME torsion bars. On the rear, the reservoirs are on the cross member in front of the axle. I'm running OME 864 springs and extended ASB links. Other than the torsion bars, I installed all that stuff around the same time, so it is hard to isolate exactly what changes came from the shocks themselves and what from the overall combination.
This setup does especially well under heavy load which is how the truck spends most of the time. On the road, it is very stable and smooth. I don't remember OEM exactly, but if feels more like that or even like a solid car than a heavy, fully loaded SUV. I can easily and comfortably do 85 MPH or more which wasn't the case before. On the trail, the same is true. High-ish speed trails disappear and even significant washboard is a lot more comfortable (less rattling, less jarring) and can be done at much higher speeds than before. Even at slow speeds, hitting unexpected bumps, especially with the front with the OME shocks would be a bit "harsh". The Icons take the edge off those very well...even my wife noticed. Feels a lot more controlled and balanced.
The extra droop/added flex of the UCAs and front shocks seems to keep the wheels on the ground more often than before. This has kept me moving forward without having to tap the CDL or rely as much on ATRAC. The same seems to apply to the rear. Overall, in more extreme flexing situations, the truck feels more, well, flexible. Obviously I'm not doing scientific testing, so this may be the fact that I spent so much may be influencing what I think I'm feeling.
The location of the front reservoirs is a drawback. I'm not running spacers (as some suggested I should) and perhaps as a consequence, the wheels can rub the reservoir when turned all the way. I've snapped the hose clamps that holds the reservoir (the ones closer to the wheel) on both sides as a result. I now carry extras. So far no harm to the reservoirs, hose, etc. Another inch or two of hose and you could probably get the reservoirs out of harm's way.
Another thing to note is that you'll for sure want to protect the rear shock shafts from whatever flies off your front wheels. My OMEs were pretty much sand blasted completely clean of paint. I clamped on some pieces of thick rubber that act as a sort of reverse mud flap. Problem solved, but not so elegantly.
Granted, I haven't had to have them serviced yet, so my opinion may change, but overall, the Icons have worked well and I'd recommend them.
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