They are night and day better than the OME Nitro Sport Shocks that I had on. I've only done a brief "on road" test though. I'll give a full review in the spring. I live in Pittsburgh so I still have a few more months of winter hibernation. My LC is afraid of salt!
Shocks: Ironman Foam Cell Pro vs Icon stage 1 vs ?
- Thread starter DenverLX
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If you havent installed the Icons yet... take a ride in my rig. I have stage 1's, front and rear bumpers and siderails.
I've had them for about 1 year. I'm looking to try the Pro foamcells, I feel my current ride is rougher than I would like. The ody rolls a bid, I have some nose dive and the ride can be bumpy. IMHO You are welcome to come and judge for yourself
I'm in Denver BTW
I've had them for about 1 year. I'm looking to try the Pro foamcells, I feel my current ride is rougher than I would like. The ody rolls a bid, I have some nose dive and the ride can be bumpy. IMHO You are welcome to come and judge for yourself
I'm in Denver BTW
Haha, Im looking forward to review
I'm currently looking for a set up that will be really close to stock comfort ride, so are the Icons not as good for the money?
I too am interested in hearing more about peoples experience with different setups and need some advice!
I have an 03 LX 470 and literally just got it back with the OME setup up w/ 860's, OME nitros, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't heed the advice on this forum like I should have. The LX is my DD so 90% of its time will be spent driving to/from work in Boulder (45 MPH and slower on fairly "crapily" maintained roads). In addition, my rig is mostly stock and I really only plan on adding some sliders at most as far as weight goes. On day 3, the OMEs are so freakin stiff I get a headache driving -- though I should say on good roads, at speed, they aren't that bad.
My question is, are the ICON 1's or the Foam Cell Pro's worth the cost to switch to based upon my setup and driving conditions? Will they make that much of a difference? Any other shocks I should be considering for a more stock-like ride on a stock-like setup? Will my OME setup "loosen up" after a few hundred/thousand miles and be more drivable? I really love the look and the KO2s are amazing, but I can't handle this setup long-term (may see a For Sale ad in the classifieds soon
...)
I have an 03 LX 470 and literally just got it back with the OME setup up w/ 860's, OME nitros, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't heed the advice on this forum like I should have. The LX is my DD so 90% of its time will be spent driving to/from work in Boulder (45 MPH and slower on fairly "crapily" maintained roads). In addition, my rig is mostly stock and I really only plan on adding some sliders at most as far as weight goes. On day 3, the OMEs are so freakin stiff I get a headache driving -- though I should say on good roads, at speed, they aren't that bad.
My question is, are the ICON 1's or the Foam Cell Pro's worth the cost to switch to based upon my setup and driving conditions? Will they make that much of a difference? Any other shocks I should be considering for a more stock-like ride on a stock-like setup? Will my OME setup "loosen up" after a few hundred/thousand miles and be more drivable? I really love the look and the KO2s are amazing, but I can't handle this setup long-term (may see a For Sale ad in the classifieds soon
...)
I wouldn't spend the money on the Stage 1 shocks if I had to do it again.
I had the regular Ironman Foam cells before I got the Stage 1 shocks. The IronMan Foam cells handled better, didn't feel crashy over bumps and were not as noisey. My local shop says they can hear me coming....
In the next few weeks I hope to purchase the Pro Foams.
I plan on selling the Stage 1's.
I went from stock on my 2000 LC with 105k miles to Ironman Foam Cell Pro. Increased height about 2 inches ended up getting Upper control arms from Slee to fix the front alignment. With out the UCA, when taking a turn the steering wheel did not return to center. UCA fixed it the issue as was able to tune alignment perfectly. I've had the system now for about 5k with miles lots of highway (including trailing to Sturgis) and a couple of adventures off road. I am very happy with the system. Although this is not a daily rig, I would have absolutely no problem driving it daily. The system is firm yet compliant, no jarring and quiet. I can't compare to OME since I have never driven an LC with that setup but I did have an OME system on my 98 4runner and it definitely was more stiff and jarring. Ended up selling that rig. I would suggest if possible to try and find someone with the Ironman setup and test back to back. I'm in Chicago so probably a little far. I do plan on attending the 100's in the Hills this year. I think it would be a great time overall but also to check out the setup of other rigs.
For what it's worth, I have a 1st gen tundra with the equivalent of Icon Stage 1 in the front and Stage 2 in the rear (non-resi, non CDC but with 2.5" body and internal bump stops), and Camburg UCAs. I have them set up at about 2.5" front and 1" rear. The setup rides amazing on roads with big bumps and dips. I've jumped it many times and you cannot really tell that the suspension is even bottoming out. It's like a mini Ford Raptor.
However, on rough washboard roads or sharp bumps, it is way too firm in the initial part of the stroke. I'm not sure if this is due to my truck being lighter than what they likely used for testing (access cab, plastic front bumper, no armor or winch), but it definitely feels like it is set up more for big, gradual desert bumps rather than small sharp stuff. Even on the highway it can feel like it's bouncing around a bit. To their credit though, they will re-valve them for free. I just have to find some time where I can park my truck for a week or two since it's my daily.
My advice is, if you go with Icons, give them a call. They are very helpful and can get you set up correctly to match your vehicle weight and target terrain. Or just get the CDC adjustable ones. You just have to call them beforehand rather than doing what I did and waiting to find out later.
However, on rough washboard roads or sharp bumps, it is way too firm in the initial part of the stroke. I'm not sure if this is due to my truck being lighter than what they likely used for testing (access cab, plastic front bumper, no armor or winch), but it definitely feels like it is set up more for big, gradual desert bumps rather than small sharp stuff. Even on the highway it can feel like it's bouncing around a bit. To their credit though, they will re-valve them for free. I just have to find some time where I can park my truck for a week or two since it's my daily.
My advice is, if you go with Icons, give them a call. They are very helpful and can get you set up correctly to match your vehicle weight and target terrain. Or just get the CDC adjustable ones. You just have to call them beforehand rather than doing what I did and waiting to find out later.
I went from OME Nitro Sports that came with my 1.5" OME medium lift kit, to stock Landcruiser OEM shocks. I don't do technical 4 wheeling. I do some rock crawling (not Moab like) to go elk hunting and camping. The stock shocks have handled that with ease as well as being awesome on road. Probably wouldn't do it for hard 4 wheeling.
Thanks @chuckscap thats helpful information. My LX will primarily be my daily driver so I am looking more for comfort than off-road performance which it sounds you've achieved. No issues with the shorter length? I do plan to do a couple of things like tow a light weight pop up and drive minor off-road up to a campsite but I'd anticipate they would still be ok for that.
I was actually thinking about taking out the lift all together and going to a stock Toyota LC TB and spring set up as well. Any consideration of that for you? Would you mind sharing the part #s for the shocks just so I can confirm?
Thanks
Also @chuckscap, just to confirm, you have the following OME kit:
- (2) 303001 HD Torsion bars
- (2) 60000 OME Nitrocharger Sport front shocks
- (2) 60002 OME Nitrocharger Sport rear shocks
- (2) 860 Springs (or do you have 865?)
This is what I have
1.5" Medium Load
Level Stance Lift Kit
Part: ARB1031 - $1120.00
Slee - Toyota 100 Series Land Cruiser Suspension
I also have BIOR sliders, and a full set of BIOR skid plates as well as the diff drop and SPC UCAs. Once I switched out the shocks, I love the suspension. I think towing a light weight popup would be no sweat, and by the sound of it I may do harder trails (17 miles up a really crappy rock strewn 4 wheel drive road to Red Mountain, trail head is about 4 miles north of Gunnison). I haven't noticed any issues with lack of travel, but really don't stress it like lots of folks on this forum do. I don't tow anymore and always used our 2001 diesel Excursion for that anyway. Hope this helps. The shocks are pretty cheap ($40 each), so definitely worth a go.
1.5" Medium Load
Level Stance Lift Kit
Part: ARB1031 - $1120.00
Slee - Toyota 100 Series Land Cruiser Suspension
I also have BIOR sliders, and a full set of BIOR skid plates as well as the diff drop and SPC UCAs. Once I switched out the shocks, I love the suspension. I think towing a light weight popup would be no sweat, and by the sound of it I may do harder trails (17 miles up a really crappy rock strewn 4 wheel drive road to Red Mountain, trail head is about 4 miles north of Gunnison). I haven't noticed any issues with lack of travel, but really don't stress it like lots of folks on this forum do. I don't tow anymore and always used our 2001 diesel Excursion for that anyway. Hope this helps. The shocks are pretty cheap ($40 each), so definitely worth a go.
Thanks for the info -- I may need to chat with Slee about it. I've got the 860 springs (2.5") and really a stock setup as far as weight is concerned (no bumpers, sliders, etc.). The Toyota shocks are pretty cheap but going back to the full stock set up with TBs and springs starts to add up.
I called them and had my fronts revalved about a 1 yr ago I thought it was too harsh. My truck has BIOR rails, front and back bumpers and dives when I brake... I don't like it. If k send them back... they can only get harsher.
Did you change over to the foam cell pros? I blew my front icon stage 1 shock so I’m considering other options