King 3.0 or BP-51 (1 Viewer)

[eatSleepWoof]

I had ICON stage 4 on my Tacoma. Three blown shocks in 8 months with very light use, stiff, uncomfortable ride, UCA uniballs worn out in 1.5 years. The only thing worse than ICON suspension is their "customer service." I would never recommend anything from the company.

Friend had BP51s on his Tacoma (and Ironman before) and went through about five or six warranty replacements in the first year or so. He now has custom valved Kings and is very happy with them.

 

[Milaad]

Thanks Eatsleepwoof. This was what I was the feedback I was looking for. I too had ICON on a 2010 Toyota 4Runner in 2011 and had issues with the icons. I though maybe they would have changed by now but it appears as though others may have had similar experiences.

 

[Reckless]

My experience with Icons are much different. I have had them on 50k miles and they still drive brand new. They are AWESOME at high speeds 80+mph. They are slightly worse than stock under 25mph. I dare say they are better than Kings off the shelf for my use. I'm pretty sure filthymotorsports can custom valve them better than Icons to give best of both worlds, low speeds and high speeds. I run stock springs as comfort was my goal. Rear shocks made the biggest difference IMO. I run empty in rear and feel Icon valves them incorrectly for vehicles with additional weight.

Personally, if you can wait I'd order them on cyber monday for 20%off (I believe my set with CDC ran $2500). If you don't care for lift I'd go 2.5, 3.0 raises the vehicle but when I got my 2.5s I was wishing for 3.0s.

I do wish there was an even better suspension that didn't feel the weight of the truck but thats what AHC is for. I'd hate driving AHC as it disconnects completely from the road.

 

[Milaad]

Spoke with Filthy today. Seems like the 3.0 would be the wrong set up for my application for reasons I would have never expected. I ordered the 2.5 King’s with custom valve and springs. Can’t wait. Just need to wait 4 weeks till they get in. I’ll report back. I strongly suggest anyone interested to contact filthy, dude knows what he is doing, spent 1 hour with me on the phone and listened to everything I had to say and ever educated me on more things than I could have wished to learn today.

 

[drftsub]

Spoke with Filthy today. Seems like the 3.0 would be the wrong set up for my application for reasons I would have never expected. I ordered the 2.5 King’s with custom valve and springs. Can’t wait. Just need to wait 4 weeks till they get in. I’ll report back. I strongly suggest anyone interested to contact filthy, dude knows what he is doing, spent 1 hour with me on the phone and listened to everything I had to say and ever educated me on more things than I could have wished to learn today.

That’s what a good suspension shop can do, congrats !

 

[bloc]

Spoke with Filthy today. Seems like the 3.0 would be the wrong set up for my application for reasons I would have never expected. I ordered the 2.5 King’s with custom valve and springs. Can’t wait. Just need to wait 4 weeks till they get in. I’ll report back. I strongly suggest anyone interested to contact filthy, dude knows what he is doing, spent 1 hour with me on the phone and listened to everything I had to say and ever educated me on more things than I could have wished to learn today.

What was the reason against 3.0s? We have a good grasp on what you are after, but I’m curious how these weren’t a good fit.

 

[Milaad]

Apparently the operating temperature needed to have the oil inside the shock get to optimal viscosity would be difficult to obtain given the day to day use I intend to do. I’d never get the oil warm enough and therefore never get the most out of the shock. The 2.5 doesn’t require as high of temps and will likely work better. With that said, I’m sure all of this is overkill for my particular application but the most interesting part was the recent disappointment with my current set up has more to do with the OME shocks going out and no longer providing the dampening they did on the first day I purchased them. Also, I’m running much lighter spring rates given my trucks set up and additional weight. Also, the 200 series in the markets outside of US tend to be slightly lighter than those in our domestic market. This is Something I had not even considered when I was thinking of purchasing the OME. In speaking with Filthy he noted all my modifications and changed the spring weights on front and back from the off the shelf king set up.

 

[hickuptruck]

Apparently the operating temperature needed to have the oil inside the shock get to optimal viscosity would be difficult to obtain given the day to day use I intend to do. I’d never get the oil warm enough and therefore never get the most out of the shock. The 2.5 doesn’t require as high of temps and will likely work better. With that said, I’m sure all of this is overkill for my particular application but the most interesting part was the recent disappointment with my current set up has more to do with the OME shocks going out and no longer providing the dampening they did on the first day I purchased them. Also, I’m running much lighter spring rates given my trucks set up and additional weight. Also, the 200 series in the markets outside of US tend to be slightly lighter than those in our domestic market. This is Something I had not even considered when I was thinking of purchasing the OME. In spelling with Filthy he noted all my modifications and changed the spring weights on front and back from the off the shelf king set up.

Yep, just like track vs street brake setups. I should have used that in my analogy. Anyways, congrats on your purchase. Let us all know how you like the setup and a good review of them.

I would never get BP51s unless the cost was significantly lower than Kings. It isn't a true 2.5 inch shock, but you do get adjustability. The BP51s are somewhere in between a 2 inch and 2.5 inch shock. However, Im someone who would rather just have it set and let it kind of person which is why I didn't get adjusters on my Radflos.

 

[Tex68w]

My 4runner is on 35s, Kings all around (coils, bypasses, bumps), and it’s like riding an Amish wagon on a brick road.

Lol, good to know. That was my next major upgrade on the 4Runner and it seems to be the hands down favorite in the 5th Gen world as well. I still commute in that vehicle so I might need to rethink King's.

I had ICON stage 4 on my Tacoma. Three blown shocks in 8 months with very light use, stiff, uncomfortable ride, UCA uniballs worn out in 1.5 years. The only thing worse than ICON suspension is their "customer service." I would never recommend anything from the company.

Friend had BP51s on his Tacoma (and Ironman before) and went through about five or six warranty replacements in the first year or so. He now has custom valved Kings and is very happy with them.

Icon is crap, especially when it comes to a heavier or more built out vehicle. I ran them on two different Super Duties, I had constant blown shocks and zero help from Icon themselves. I ran their stuff once more on a FJC and once again I found myself rebuilding shocks constantly and I was left holding the bag when they puked their guts in under three months. Never again will Icon get any of my money nor will I recommend their junk to anyone else.

 

[TonyP]

The BP51s are somewhere in between a 2 inch and 2.5 inch shock.

The "51" in BP51 is in reference to the 51mm bore which is, essentially, 2 inches.

 

[options2]

Is it necessary to do extended brake lines or panhard for lifts 2 to 3in? Just curious after reading through a couple suspension threads.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Is it necessary to do extended brake lines or panhard for lifts 2 to 3in? Just curious after reading through a couple suspension threads.

I'd suggest getting your car up on a lift, and looking at lines at max droop. When I lifted my Tacoma, a certain shop definitively told me I needed longer brake lines, so I bought theirs. After lifting the truck, it was obvious there was plenty of flex/length left in the OEM brake lines and the longer ones were not needed.

 

[Milaad]

Is it necessary to do extended brake lines or panhard for lifts 2 to 3in? Just curious after reading through a couple suspension threads.

I was told with 6 inch lift the panhard would be necessary

 

[Union]

I was told with 6 inch lift the panhard would be necessary

I have a 2.75'' lift and needed the panhard.

 

[Milaad]

I have a 2.75'' lift and needed the panhard.

2.75 in the rear or the front. If the rear can you send a pic of your truck, thats got to be pretty awesome looking.

 

[Union]

2.75 in the rear or the front. If the rear can you send a pic of your truck, thats got to be pretty awesome looking.

My mistake. I just measured and from hub to fender I'm at 22.5'' so about 2'' over stock. 38'' from ground to fender.

 

[Yeti White]

congrats on the 2.5's! Its a great set up.

 

[ChowChilla]

I've been looking at the Kings, Icon, and BP-51..... since I live in Riverside, CA I'm fairly close to both shops to drive to them. What turned me off was have to rebuild them. I'm going with BP-51.

 

[Union]

I've been looking at the Kings, Icon, and BP-51..... since I live in Riverside, CA I'm fairly close to both shops to drive to them. What turned me off was have to rebuild them. I'm going with BP-51.

Don't you have to rebuild BP-51 as well?

 

[Milaad]

Given the amount of homework I did about shocks unless budget is a constraint I think your better off with a set of kings. But call around and ask what different shops say. I called all the manufacturers and everyone sells their products. Only reason why I went with filthy and king is because Ben spent a lot of time educating me but also I was able to get them adjusted based on my particular truck. But I’m sure any upgrade will be better than the stock stuff, best of luck!