Icon vs Radflo vs OME vs Bilstein and the service requirements

[NMBruce]

getting closer to ordering, So "moab cj5" how's the ride and do you like what you have done?
I plan on putting on a rear bumper when installing the new suspension, so I am really interested in the ride and how you like the HD rear springs.

I am going to changing out a lot of stuff, but just looking at shocks and springs, a Radflo "extended travel front and long travel rear HD" works out to be $548 more than Bilstien 5100 kit. If I wanted the Bilstien 6112, then that decrees the difference in cost.

 

[moab cj5]

@coops2k, I think my rear is a little bouncy without the extra weight of a bumper, but I don't mind it at all. I wish i had gone with more lift in the front, but that is my only regret, and it is a small one. I am pretty happy with my setup.

 

[jclarke450]

@moab cj5 , how much lift did the OME kit actually net you in the front?

 

[moab cj5]

@moab cj5 , how much lift did the OME kit actually net you in the front?

I didn't measure before and after, but I still have a rake back to front, and I need to massage more in the fender wells to eliviate tire rubbing. I think I got about 2 inches, but would need someone to tell me their before measurement so I can tell you my after.

 

[Onefastrx7turbo]

Just curious, is there a reason you didn't consider King Shocks? My brother has them on his FJ and the ride is awesome, was thinking about getting a set for my truck.

 

[NMBruce]

I didn't measure before and after, but I still have a rake back to front, and I need to massage more in the fender wells to eliviate tire rubbing. I think I got about 2 inches, but would need someone to tell me their before measurement so I can tell you my after.

from what I have read, to get a 3" lift from the OME, there is a "top hat" spacer for the front shocks

 

[mtwilly87]

Has anyone looked at Fox? I stopped by Toytec shop the other day and they tried to get me to take a look at them. Honestly I never have given them a thought.

 

[moab cj5]

I went with affordable, reliable, and disposable. In Utah, high performance rebuild-able coilovers can last 2 years, 1 year, or 4 years depending on the weather and abuse. I had performance shocks on my Jeep and they needed work after 2 years of moderate use. When researching my options for my GX, I went affordable and replaceable. It was more of a pain (and expensive) to find a shop to rebuild my old shocks. Personally (and this won't apply to everyone) I went for disposable this time to get away from that. If I hate them when they are worn out, I'll chuck them and try something else. If I had dropped twice the amount on the other stuff high performance shocks, I couldn't justify chucking them for that expense.

There really are a ton of options to look at, and it all comes down to preference & budget. I chose what i did for my reasons. Others may agree or disagree, but you are spending your own money, so choose what makes you happy. I don't need the bling and cushy ride of the high dollar stuff, and I wanted to spend as little as I had to until i know i want to keep this rig.

 

[NMBruce]

I was really thinking of the OME, but I want the 3" lift and not sure a spacer is the way to get it.

 

[GXO]

Adjustable coil overs are the way to go

 

[NMBruce]

has anyone tried Toyotec on their GX or other Toyota vehicle, they are priced a little lower than Radflo and higher than Bilstien, they are rebuildable.
Boss Suspension System for 03-09 4Runner, 07-09 FJ, 03-09 GX470
Boss Suspension System for 03-09 4Runner, 07-09 FJ

 

[mtwilly87]

GX470 Build for Overland (build thread) pic heavy - Club Lexus Forums


That guy has. Looks pretty good. I'm thinking about them too. I live 10 miles from Toytec.

 

[NMBruce]

found out a few more things, the Bilstien 5100 and OME shocks are 2.0" shock bodies, where the Icon & Radflo can be 2.0 or 2.5.
Not sure about the others, but Radflo recommend a 2.5 shock for 5000lbs - 7000lbs(?) vehicles, which we are close to.

could this make a difference? in ride to some people? Long term use?

 

[co4wheel]

There is ALWAYS something better. To me the 5100's are enough. My old Tundra was a great truck stock on the trails I did. This is better. For me,that's enough.

 

[NMBruce]

I have been looking and can't find it anywhere, extended travel front coilers give you about 1" of extra travel.
The question is how much extra travel does a "Long Travel" rear set up get you, this is from Metal Tech " 27.5" of wheel travel (compared to a OME 2" lift that has 20" of wheel travel) without using a sway bar.", so what wheels travel will you get with a Icon or Radflo reg rear kit?

 

[paulunm]

I have ~100k miles on my Icon extended drop coil overs. Had them rebuilt at about 50k, Icon said the seals were basically new. I won't rebuild again until I see them weeping oil.

My rears are the old Edelbrock/Icons, haven't touched them for 100k miles.

 

[NMBruce]

today I ordered the Radflo 2.5 extended/long travel kit and trailing arms and stuff.
My buddy in Houston is getting the stuff to rebuild this type of shocks.

 

[zooman61]

Just but Radflo 2.5s in front at first I thought that's a lot of money for shocks but let me tell you so far best bang for buck mod done so far.

 

[Bluetribal]

today I ordered the Radflo 2.5 extended/long travel kit and trailing arms and stuff.
My buddy in Houston is getting the stuff to rebuild this type of shocks.

So what else do you plan to do to the suspension with the 2.5 Radflo's? Upper or Lower Links, extended brake lines, drop brackets of any kind?

What rear spring did you end up choosing?

 

[NMBruce]

With the Radflo 2.5 shocks front & rear. For the rear I also did MetalTech long travel HD springs, extended brake lines, upper & lower rear control arms, bump stop, Toytec pan hard bar, and Icon rear shin guards. For the front, I did the extend travel shock, light racing UCA, new brake lines. I thought I had order the diff drop, but did not, but the angles look good.