Icon Stage 1

[dallen341]

Not impressed with customer support there. Emailed with questions about my 2.5" reservoir shocks hoping/asking that my email would make its way to Dylan since he had the same shocks on his 80 series. I figured who best to ask. My questions really dealt with how his truck was set up compared to mine and how he set the shocks up. I figured it would give me a baseline to compare against how I perceived how my shocks performed.

Was passed to sales who told me they would pass me to tech support. Several days would pass after each time I was passed off before I would hear back. Ultimately, I never did get an answer. The "customer support" just fizzled out and I quit following up figuring if they were interested in helping I'd of had an answer.

For me, that was enough to convince me that if I had it to do over again I would look at King.

I'm sure Dylan is a great guy. No doubt he is busy and the likelyhood of dealing with him direct was slim. It was a big ask...I get it. Still no excuse for poor customer service from the company.

 

[Box Rocket]

Wow, this review has me considering another suspension update. I started out on OME (rough ride) and now I'm on TJM progressive/Fox 2.0. When I made that switch, my wife commented on the ride improvement off road, but on the road there is a ton of body roll and slop. One end of the spectrum to the other. Sounds like Icon is the happy medium.

If you're referring to Lumpskie's post it would be the Slinky kit, not the Icon kit. There is a difference in coils and in shock valving.
I had a similar experience with my wife though. She also rarely notices when I change anything on the truck. But she drove my last 80 as a daily driver for more than a decade on OME suspension so she knows as well as anyone how that feels. She comments almost every time we go out now how much smoother the truck is. Like Lumpskie's wife, for a woman that finds it difficult to notice many other changes, this is one that she notices, and comments on every time out.

Also, like Lumpskie described his recent trip its always interesting to be on the trails with other rigs, especially when they are other 80s. The different suspensions become very apparent especially in the faster sections. A road that was a white knuckle experience at 30mph in my 80 with OME is now no big deal and controlled at 50mph with the Slinky setup. The other big difference I see when I'm out with other trucks when we do longer distance trips with 8+ hours of hard, fast pace driving (and riding for the passengers) is that I'm no longer worn out from driving like the other drivers when we get to camp. Back to my wife, that's part of what she comments on. She wasn't a fan of long trail days in the past and would start to ask "how much longer?" much earlier in the day. Now it's the type of trip she pushes for and I can't think of the last time she complained about a long day in the truck.

 

[Dirty Koala]

I have run OME for years and they did the job, but they were never “inspiring”. Two years ago I put slinky stage 4 with extra heavy duty springs on my Cummins powered 80...she is a heavy Heffer at 8500lbs. The ride comparison can only be experienced, trying to describe the difference is difficult.

When I picked up my Supercharged LX450 18 months ago I knew It needed some slinky treatment also...but this time I went for stage 1 as at the time I was thinking this would just be my daily rig and not my desert blasting rig. As time has passed on I decided to build my LX as the primary cruiser I take on guys trips where it’s going to get flogged, hit more technical terrain and push boundaries at higher speeds. The Cummins will be the primary family tourer.

That said, I just got back from 4 days in the southern Utah desert in the LX with stage 1 shocks and HD coils. I was out there with a few friends on KTM dirt bikes and a BMW adventure bike, In the slow technical crawling sections the bikes were making better time than me as expected...they have a lot less bulk to manouver through obstacles, but out in the fast sections they were not able to keep up with me. We were pushing 50-65mph in many areas, power sliding through turns and burning a TON of petrol. I do have a relatively heavy setup, but not anywhere near as heavy as my Cummins rig. I did find that the stage 1 shocks were bottoming out on the bumps more frequently than I am used to running the stage 4 on the Cummins, but this was easily adjusted by slowing down more during the steep dips in the trail. On Sunday I also came across a “built” F150 and blinged our JK wrangler out on the trail. I sat behind them for about 10 mins at the painfully slow speed of 5mph in a section that I was comfortable doing 30-35mph. I eventually gave them a honk and they let me pass....I think they are still working their way out to the blacktop today.

In summary, Slinky Stage 1 are really solid shocks that will enable you to go much faster along tough trails than just about about anyone else out there...stage 4+ is just more betterer! Good thing I have a set of slinky Stage 5 shocks on order

 

[JaketheSSnake]

I have run OME for years and they did the job, but they were never “inspiring”. Two years ago I put slinky stage 4 with extra heavy duty springs on my Cummins powered 80...she is a heavy Heffer at 8500lbs. The ride comparison can only be experienced, trying to describe the difference is difficult.

When I picked up my Supercharged LX450 18 months ago I knew It needed some slinky treatment also...but this time I went for stage 1 as at the time I was thinking this would just be my daily rig and not my desert blasting rig. As time has passed on I decided to build my LX as the primary cruiser I take on guys trips where it’s going to get flogged, hit more technical terrain and push boundaries at higher speeds. The Cummins will be the primary family tourer.

That said, I just got back from 4 days in the southern Utah desert in the LX with stage 1 shocks and HD coils. I was out there with a few friends on KTM dirt bikes and a BMW adventure bike, In the slow technical crawling sections the bikes were making better time than me as expected...they have a lot less bulk to manouver through obstacles, but out in the fast sections they were not able to keep up with me. We were pushing 50-65mph in many areas, power sliding through turns and burning a TON of petrol. I do have a relatively heavy setup, but not anywhere near as heavy as my Cummins rig. I did find that the stage 1 shocks were bottoming out on the bumps more frequently than I am used to running the stage 4 on the Cummins, but this was easily adjusted by slowing down more during the steep dips in the trail. On Sunday I also came across a “built” F150 and blinged our JK wrangler out on the trail. I sat behind them for about 10 mins at the painfully slow speed of 5mph in a section that I was comfortable doing 30-35mph. I eventually gave them a honk and they let me pass....I think they are still working their way out to the blacktop today.

In summary, Slinky Stage 1 are really solid shocks that will enable you to go much faster along tough trails than just about about anyone else out there...stage 4+ is just more betterer! Good thing I have a set of slinky Stage 5 shocks on order

View attachment 2096546View attachment 2096548

So what is the stage 5 setup anyways? Do I need a secret handshake or something? I've seen it referenced a few times, but nobody has actually said what it is or how it differs from stage 4.

 

[Dirty Koala]

So what is the stage 5 setup anyways? Do I need a secret handshake or something? I've seen it referenced a few times, but nobody has actually said what it is or how it differs from stage 4.

No one in the states has them yet...but it’s like stage 4 shocks with bypasses added. Allows for more tuning and is particularly useful on heavy rigs that like to get rowdy.

 

[JaketheSSnake]

No one in the states has them yet...but it’s like stage 4 shocks with bypasses added. Allows for more tuning and is particularly useful on heavy rigs that like to get rowdy.

Good to know, thank you very much!

 

[Bludozer]

The different suspensions become very apparent especially in the faster sections. A road that was a white knuckle experience at 30mph in my 80 with OME is now no big deal and controlled at 50mph with the Slinky setup.

This is the main reason (for me at least) having a fancier suspension is worth it. So much smoother and more comfortable at higher speeds off pavement...feeling like your teeth are going to rattle out of your head at speed on washboard roads gets old very quickly.

 

[Box Rocket]

This is the main reason (for me at least) having a fancier suspension is worth it. So much smoother and more comfortable at higher speeds off pavement...feeling like your teeth are going to rattle out of your head at speed on washboard roads gets old very quickly.

Yeah, it's interesting when I'll talk to people that are building trucks and they ask for suspension suggestions. I'm amazed how many say "I don't need a fancy suspension because I won't be rock crawling, just mostly highway and fireroads." It's not the rock crawling where a nice suspension shines (although it can do well there too), but it's on the highway and on the fast dirt sections where it puts the truck on another level compared to those with lesser setups.

 

[66scout]

I have a stage 1 kit going on 2 years now and love it. Biggest issue i had was there wasn't any caster using their caster bushings. I went back to OEM bushings and Landtank 4in caster plates and couldn't be happier. Basically with the Icon bushings i was at 0*. with the plates i got closer to 4*. Rides like a dream and soaks up the bumps. Your luxury land yacht will out wheel long arm Heeps! I would recommend if you can swing it is to get the 2.5 resis with the adjustable valves for the rear if you do and overlanding type camping. After the 20+ miles of whoops on the Mojave Rd all loaded down I could have used more dampening in the rear.

 

[BlackRifle]

For those that have an opinion:

1. Seems like in a battle between a full Stage 1 Icon suspension vs. the OME 2-2.5” kit (from Slee as an example), the winner here would be Icon? Is that correct? Would the recommendation therefore be “skip the OME and go Stage 1”?
2. What would be the reasons to go for the OME suspension vs going Icon stage 1? Is it just a cost consideration?

 

[RevFZJ80]

Loving the feed back guys much appreciated! However, after reading Box Rocket and Lumpskies post... damn those Slinky characteristic sound damn good! ughh

 

[cvenom96]

This thread has been an immense help for me. Definitely going Stage 1 for now.

 

[Dirty Koala]

A lot of the feedback here has been regarding the Slinky Stage 1 and Slinky Stage 4 setup. Although the slinky shocks are made by icon, they are not the same as icons own line of shocks. They are spec’d our with custom length shafts different shock body style and the secret sauce of valving is custom to the Slinky design. Just an FYI since it can get confusing and I have hear people refer to Slinky and icon synonymously. Rule of thumb...if you carry a bunch of gear and your cruiser is heavy...Slinky all day long.

 

[SHREDwagon]

Still no excuse for poor customer service from the company.

Were you rebuilding or mod'ing the flutter stack? Or, looking to adjust pressure?
I was walked through on the phone by ICONs tech support while rebuilding / mod'ing my first 2.5 w/ CDC. First one was a pain, probably wouldn't have been successful without their expertise. The remaining 3 were a breeze. That was 2 years ago, so hope things haven't changed? At the time, the only other company I'd experienced that next level tech support was from Down South Motorsports

Not to derail this thread, but Kings use progressive valving while ICONs use digressive. digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving Probably already know that. But if you're that unhappy - that's who I'd recommend being in CA. First re-valve is free @ DSMS. But King's have a LONG wait time and what coils will you use? If King made matching coils for the 80 - that would be one sweet set-up. I blew my budget on other build "priorities" so the Stage 1 has been a welcome upgrade for the $ for now.

@RevFZJ80: What does your 80 weigh now (F+R)? Final intended weight (F+R)? This should be your first step. Then call retailers.

 

[RevFZJ80]

@SHREDwagon Everything is stock right now I just bought some wheels and 35's, but Its always loaded with a family of four. I plan on getting roof rack, front/rear bumper and sliders down the road. I got a quote of $1574 for the Icons out the door from 4wheelparts but now that slinkys are in the picture idk lol

 

[SHREDwagon]

Don't think you will actually see much difference performance-wise between the 2.0 shocks. Slinky coils might be worth the extra with your weight though (no experience) as it sounds like you will end up 800 - 1000# heavier than me. 6500# GVW is always my target but I'm a backpacker and have a spreadsheet (of course)

 

[Delta VS]

To muddy up the waters a little here:

Like @mryanangel mentioned, Icon != Slinky

Icon kits (ALL of them, stage 1 through stage 3) are designed around stock-ish weight vehicles. Front/rear bumpers, winch, dual batteries, full size spare are about the limit for the Icon springs.

Slinky kits (I am not 100% sure on this info as I am not dealer for them even though I have requested the ability to sell them since they fill a different need than the Icon kits) are designed specifically for MUCH heavier vehicles. All the things mentioned above PLUS RTT, drawers, extra fuel tanks, etc.

@RevFZJ80 I would appreciate the opportunity to get you a quote for the Icon stuff (am dealer), please send an email to info@deltavs.com (if interested of course)

@BlackRifle the biggest two differences between the basic OME setup and the Stage 1 Icon are going to be:

• Icon has rebuildable shocks, OME does not
• Icon has dual rate springs, OME does not

 

[Box Rocket]

Were you rebuilding or mod'ing the flutter stack? Or, looking to adjust pressure?
I was walked through on the phone by ICONs tech support while rebuilding / mod'ing my first 2.5 w/ CDC. First one was a pain, probably wouldn't have been successful without their expertise. The remaining 3 were a breeze. That was 2 years ago, so hope things haven't changed? At the time, the only other company I'd experienced that next level tech support was from Down South Motorsports

Not to derail this thread, but Kings use progressive valving while ICONs use digressive. digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving Probably already know that. But if you're that unhappy - that's who I'd recommend being in CA. First re-valve is free @ DSMS. But King's have a LONG wait time and what coils will you use? If King made matching coils for the 80 - that would be one sweet set-up. I blew my budget on other build "priorities" so the Stage 1 has been a welcome upgrade for the $ for now.

@RevFZJ80: What does your 80 weigh now (F+R)? Final intended weight (F+R)? This should be your first step. Then call retailers.

The accutune article is a good one for general performance differences between the different types of valving. But you have to keep in mind that the article is describing each type like it's either VERY digressive or VERY progressive which exaggerates the worst aspects of each type. The valving can be set up to be much more mildly digressive or progressive and not have the extremes of performance described in the article. For example, the article describes digressively valved shocks and having a harsh ride on small, sharp bumps. My experience with the Slinky/Icons has been just the opposite. Sharp bumps are MUCH smoother than they were with OME shocks which are linear IIRC (which the article states is the typically the best choice).

 

[RevFZJ80]

@SHREDwagon Its used as somewhat a daily as well. Icons are more practical i'm guessing? also I don't get out much for wheeling/trails. But later down the road sounds like slinky's are suited for more comfort on tails w the armor I want to equip rig with.

@Delta VS Will do!

 

[Hankg550]

Such snobs . Taking the Toyota out of Toyota. I just ordered some OEM Toyota shocks.