I have an ICON Stage 3 Lift on my 2004 GX. This was installed by the previous owner less than 40,000 miles ago. This GX has been a daily driver, not a serious off-roading vehicle its whole life. The rear shocks are out, and the front Delta Joints have some play in them. I was told by an ICON dealer that ICON recommends servicing (remove, and send to an authorized shop) the rear shocks once a year, and doing the same for the front shocks every 3 years. This is a week long process, and I don't even want to know the cost. I am thinking about replacing the whole system with a less maintenance intense system. Is there anything out there that requires less removal for maintenance?
ICON Stage 3 Lift Service or Replacement
- Thread starter JPDLFT
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I worked at a shop that sold a lot of Icon. We had a local suspension guy we could remove the shocks and he could rebuild it in a few hours. The car wouldn't spend more than a day down on the rack. The stage 3 had the 2.0 shocks in the back. We would not waste time rebuilding these, we would just sell replacements. Personally I rebuild my own (Fox). The 2.5 shocks are pretty easy to rebuild. The only difficult part would be finding the nitrogen to refill it. With that said, zzyzx85 answered it best, go with the Bilsteins.
I have Ironman Foam Cell pro shocks. I just rebuilt the rear shocks after about 4.5 years of use and around 50,000 miles (I use my rig to tow a camper and a compact tractor, so it's used much "heavier" than most). They were not hard at all to DIY rebuild, and they perform like new. They do not use pressurized gas like other shocks, rebuilding is basically disassembling them, replacing a handful of seals, and adding new oil. However it's a messy job, required a bench vice, and Ironman's special tool.
Overall the Ironmans are IMO a more robust shock than a set of Bilsteins. If you aren't towing nearly 6,000# like me, the Ironmans should last a lot longer than 50,000 miles. But if you aren't into rebuilding shocks period, I'd agree on going with a less-expensive set of shocks like Bilsteins. Then you can just replace them when they get worn out. Shock replacement is not hard, including the front if you use a floor jack to decompress/compress the coil with the front strut still in the vehicle.
Overall the Ironmans are IMO a more robust shock than a set of Bilsteins. If you aren't towing nearly 6,000# like me, the Ironmans should last a lot longer than 50,000 miles. But if you aren't into rebuilding shocks period, I'd agree on going with a less-expensive set of shocks like Bilsteins. Then you can just replace them when they get worn out. Shock replacement is not hard, including the front if you use a floor jack to decompress/compress the coil with the front strut still in the vehicle.
There are a few options for upgraded but more long term oriented solutions. OME, Dobinsons, Ironman and Bilstein are the ones that usually pop to the top, and only really require rebuilding when you notice them degrading. That interval is usually dictated by use, but definitely last longer than a year under normal circumstances.
I work at a shop and we see leaking ICONs constantly. I see the cost to rehab them equal to the cost of replacement. Ironman foam cell or eibach are my go to replacements. If you would like a bit firmer of a ride go with bilstein
two years and 20000 miles into my ironman FCPs, i run hard and fast in the dunes and on trails, probably 2-3000 miles of hard abuse each year. still perform flawlessly. love em.
Maybe I’m just luckier than most, but my icons have been really good. Remote reservoir in front and piggy back in rear. Been on at least 15 years with only one rebuild about 4 years ago. Probably 80k miles total. This is on my FJ that isn’t driven daily but used for “overlanding” so maybe that makes a difference?
I have Bilstein on my tundra because I could not afford Icon or ADS (preferred now) and while the ride is good, it’s not “icon/ADS” good. My GX470 has ADS and it’s been good for 6 years and about 20k miles of use.
All that to say, bilstein is not gonna feel like Icon. But they are still good so I wouldn’t feel bad about using them. But if you can find a rebuilder and you can afford it, and you want it, then do it.
I should add: I’m talking shocks only. I do not use uni-balls for the reason you state. Camburg with stock ball joints…thank you very much!
I have Bilstein on my tundra because I could not afford Icon or ADS (preferred now) and while the ride is good, it’s not “icon/ADS” good. My GX470 has ADS and it’s been good for 6 years and about 20k miles of use.
All that to say, bilstein is not gonna feel like Icon. But they are still good so I wouldn’t feel bad about using them. But if you can find a rebuilder and you can afford it, and you want it, then do it.
I should add: I’m talking shocks only. I do not use uni-balls for the reason you state. Camburg with stock ball joints…thank you very much!
Icon shocks do ride better than Ironmans. We put a Icon kit of my buddy's Tundra and I was pretty impressed with how cushy it is. Granted my Ironmans certainly ride well, but don't have the Cadillac-like smoothness of the Icons.