Icon Stage 1 Suspension Questions (1 Viewer)

[snowcruiser]

After 15 years and 120k on OME 850/860, my 80 is do for a suspension overhaul. She's sagging to the US Driver's side and just doesn't ride like she used to. Just did the wheel bearings and am replacing tie-rod ends, and every rubber bushing on the truck.

After reading the ultimate suspension thread and learning about all that has changed in the last 15 years, I am nearly ready to pull the trigger on the Icon Stage 1 kit.

The Icon shock and Slinky spring combo sounds awesome too but the Icon spring/shock sounds better for my purposes. I do have a few questions about both of these kits that I'm hoping someone with real world experience can chime in about....

1. Are either the Icon or Slinky Springs noisy (clanking) when daily driving, speed bumps etc? With the stacked coils sitting in the first stage of the dual rate and coils appearing to be touching in the softer stages, it looks like they could make a bit of noise when the load up and touch or unload over bumps etc as the coils clank together... (Pics reposted from ultimate thread above)

img_7693-jpg.1241661

img_7694-jpg.1241662

2. The early OME coils (back in the day at least) were side specific and there was confusion over left/right, driver/passenger sides etc, being that they were made in Oz where they drive on the wrong side of the road . Are the Icon springs side specific as well?

3. Are there any other current opinions on either of these set ups? Really want to keep the 80 as an all around capable mountain machine but also have it handle the asphalt twisties like a modern sports car....well as close as possible anyway.

4. I know the Icon Remote Reservoir 2.5 shocks are the ticket but they're not in the budget. Are the Icon 2.0 shocks truly a step up from Bilsteins? I mainly need springs, but it seems like the Icon springs will be best paired with the Icon shocks so that is the main reason for asking if its worth the extra cost over springs alone. Seems like the springs alone won't work properly with typical shorter shocks like the OME Nitros or Bilstein 5100s. So Icon 2.0 opinions after some extended use?

Looking only for real world experience with these products please!

 

[NV1971FJ40]

4wheelunderground 3 link

 

[voodu3]

FYI I was sold on the icon stage one kit as well but it’s a 6-8 week lead time on them. I was told they are made to order for the 80’s. I ended up going with the Ironman 4” kit and the Pro foam cell shocks. I’ve only had it on a few weeks but I like it so far. My old suspension was so worn out anything was going to make a huge improvement.

 

[cavboy78]

i have had the smoothbody icon shocks on for about 3 years now with OME springs. I have nothing but good things to say about them. They can ride harsh if your rig is light. I've since added a rear bumper, winch, and some other items that have added weight and it has smoothed out the ride. the shocks themselves look great still. No rust or peeling...my .02

edit: Oh, and when i swap springs to add some height, i plan on either the remote resis or the slee shocks.

 

[IanB]

I've got the ICON stage 1 kit, had it for about a year now, it's a really nice riding kit that works together as it was designed as a system.

I did have issues with the springs clanging over sharp bumps, it took quite a while to track the noise to the front springs, but once I did it was an easy fix with this product:

Tein Silencer Rubber (130mm+ Diameter Springs)

The only difference between the ICON stage 1 and the higher stages are the shocks, so years down the road when your shocks are due for a rebuild, you could always upgrade at that time and sell the 2.0's to someone else.

 

[Marco Lau]

I had installed ICON stage 1 about 4 months ago and couldn't be happier, no noise or vibration on the truck and it is a game changer on the trail. picture below with 33s and 1" spacers all around.

 

[snowcruiser]

I've got the ICON stage 1 kit, had it for about a year now, it's a really nice riding kit that works together as it was designed as a system.

I did have issues with the springs clanging over sharp bumps, it took quite a while to track the noise to the front springs, but once I did it was an easy fix with this product:

Tein Silencer Rubber (130mm+ Diameter Springs)

The only difference between the ICON stage 1 and the higher stages are the shocks, so years down the road when your shocks are due for a rebuild, you could always upgrade at that time and sell the 2.0's to someone else.

Nice, did you install a single Tein silencer on each front coil or need more? Logic tells me you could use one, spun on to the 2nd wind down and it would prevent any noise.

 

[IanB]

Nice, did you install a single Tein silencer on each front coil or need more? Logic tells me you could use one, spun on to the 2nd wind down and it would prevent any noise.

One was enough on each front spring.

 

[snowcruiser]

Anyone know if these springs are side specific?

 

[4rings5cyls]

I don't believe so, but the kit did include some spacers to counter lean.

 

[93FZJ]

I have the stage 5 kit on mine with the slinky coils and it is great to daily drive. No extra noise or other complaints.
It sits at about 4 inch lift with 35s it is the perfect combo.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

I've had the 2.0 shocks for a few months now. As was previously said they are harsh with light rigs but they will revalve for free in the first year if needed or you can just add more weight...which seems to be the thing to do...

I love their rebound characterstics off road though, but they get crazy hot. I wrote a thing about my initial experiences here if you are interested

https://overland.kinja.com/icon-vs-2-0-review-early-stages-1819557901

 

[Jgunner]

My icon springs rub my front bumpstop. On washboard it’s annoying. Not sure how to fix it, but it is an excellent riding and wheeling spring.

 

[ARB777]

I have icon stage 3s. The springs are actually great if your rig is not loaded. Rear sags when fully loaded with gear. The springs are same height for DS and PS so they come with trim packers to add to the DS. The included trim packers did not fix my driver side lean so i swapped in 1 inch spacers on the driver side. Going full icon (any stage) is good for high speed desert with not much load. For overlanding with a lot of gears, shocks are great but maybe pair it with other springs.

 

[GW Nugget]

My Slinky coils do have a Slinky sound to them... ha... maybe that's why there called Slinky's. They are not loud though.

Dylan has mentioned the Icon coils are for light to medium loaded 80s.

 

[snowcruiser]

Good stuff. I'm told the Icon kits are 5-7 weeks out and made to order. Icon direct, Metal Tech and a few others that list them on their websites tell me the same thing. Those of you that run Icon springs & shocks, did you have to wait this long after ordering or is there a vendor with these in stock?

 

[ARB777]

IIRC about 8 weeks for mine.

 

[Adatemp1980]

Still waiting on mine...ordered Jan. 15...actually have the springs, two rear shocks and one front...just waiting on one more front shock...supposed to be drop shipped from Icon...hoping to see it this week but starting to loose hope

 

[sunrk]

I have Icon 2.0's with 3" medium rate Lovells (Aussie made) springs currently in my 80. Works well. I don't have a rear bar but do have a rear (RHS to suit my barn door config) wheel carrier.

 

[Mighty690]

I've got the Icon Stage 1 kit on mine. It's lightly loaded (usually). It's great. No noises.