Suspension setup

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exigex

exigex

10 Year
Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Threads
6
Messages
137
Location
MA
I have a 2005 GX470 with 155,000 miles which is currently all stock.

I am going to install new front cv axles, suspension, new tires on the stock wheels, and some brake work before this winter.

Right now I am planning to leave the rear suspension stock and just put some washers on the ride height sensors until spring when I plan to convert to coil springs and replace the shocks.
I also plan on a steel front bumper next year so I will want suspension that can accommodate that.

For the front suspension I am thinking Icon extended travel coilovers (without the external reservoir). Anyone have opinions on the Icons, do they provide a comfortable ride?

I will do uniball front UCAs, not sure on Icon or Total Chaos, is there a difference?

I am also not sure on tire size yet. I am thinking of Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires. I want to stick with the OEM wheels. I think 285/70R17 fit with the aftermarket UCA but I don't want to have to do a lot of trimming and I want to run the stock running boards for now so the wife can get in it easily (it's her truck).
I think I have read that 275/70R17 fit no problem without trimming on the OEM wheels. Not sure if that size will look right with the lift, any one have pictures?

Any suggestions/recommendations or additional things I really should upgrade/replace at this time?
 
I was also thinking about Radflo, but I am not sure what the pros and cons are between Radflo and Icon.
 
Icon is good stuff, ride is great.

Do the rear spring conversion, tricking the air bags will get you the height but the ride quality goes to crap.

Skip the uniball control arms and grab the SPC adjustable uppers. A standard ball joint will outlast a uniball for daily use, not to mention they are cheaper and easier to swap out.

You can fit that size tire but depending on wheel offset you may need to trim the fender well or body Mount.
 
I will be going with springs in the back, I just don't have time to do them right now and I need to replace the front axles so I may as well replace the front suspension now. To be honest the rear is so much higher than the front as it is right now that depending on where I set the coilovers for now I may not need to even trick the rear.
 
I will most likely be sticking with stock wheels so I am guessing I should go with the 275/70R17 so they clear alright.
 
Good catch on the SPC uppers, I completely forgot about winter and the uniball joints. I ran spherical joints in my autox car years back and thought nothing of it when I saw them for the truck...forgot that the car never saw the winter roads. So yes I will defiantly be going with the SPC UCAs bc I don't want to wash the uniball joints every day in the winter. Thanks.
Still kind of up in the air on Icon vs Radflo for suspension.
Also wondering if any one has experience with 275/70R17 on stock Lexus wheels with a lift and keeping the OEM side steps.


Sent from my iPad
 
Icon and Radflow were both started by guys that worked for Donaho suspension from what I understand. The quality is there on both but I think icon has a little more experience with the GX. Take a look at Adventure Driven's GX or the Bundu gear GX, they put a ton of miles on every year and both preferred Icon. I have Fox 2.5 on mine and can't complain either.
 
I think downsouth Motorsports usually has the best prices.

The long travel is a bit of overkill as the GX has known rear drive shaft issues and really suffers from a lack of up travel opposed to down. I would call icon directly as they could probably give you exact information on the rear setup.

The Metaltech spring conversion is a nice complete kit.
 
exigex said:
Good catch on the SPC uppers, I completely forgot about winter and the uniball joints. I ran spherical joints in my autox car years back and thought nothing of it when I saw them for the truck...forgot that the car never saw the winter roads. So yes I will defiantly be going with the SPC UCAs bc I don't want to wash the uniball joints every day in the winter...


Sent from my iPad
Click to expand...
check out the camburg ball joint style UCA's as well. i have nothing against the SPC's and no experience with the camburgs. i just like that the camburgs use a factory ball joint which is likely to be easier to source when its time to service them.
 
Yes but you have to press the Camburg ball joints in and out of the arm, the SPC is two nuts and done. Any auto parts store can get SPC parts which is nice too.
 
Thanks, this is the info i am looking for. So I don't need to go with long travel in the rear, just spring conversion, 2.0 Icon shocks, and springs.
Replacement balljoints seem easy enough to find for SPC and not having to press them in and out sounds good to me.


Sent from my iPad
 
This is what I was going to order from Toytec for the front:
RCI Metalworks 03-09 4Runner Front Skid Plate
Front 29mm Sway Bar Bushing Kit (need to confirm that my sway bar is 29mm, haven't checked yet)
Light Racing Upper Control Arms
ICON 2 Pin Spanner Wrench
Front brake lines for 96+ 4Runner
Front ICON Extended Travel Coil Overs

I will check out downsouth motorsports see what they have.

thanks


Sent from my iPad
 
Looking around at the Icon coilovers I guess I should get the IVD coating since I live in New England and this truck gets most of its use in the winter.


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Give them a call tomorrow, everyone speaks highly of them and the pricing lol
 
So will the SPC UCAs be ok to use with extended travel coilovers?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A
 
ChiTown said:
Icon and Radflow were both started by guys that worked for Donaho suspension from what I understand. The quality is there on both but I think icon has a little more experience with the GX. Take a look at Adventure Driven's GX or the Bundu gear GX, they put a ton of miles on every year and both preferred Icon. I have Fox 2.5 on mine and can't complain either.
Click to expand...

IIRC Adventure Driven hasn't used Radflo. SouthernStyleSpeed has built a few trucks with Radflo suspension.

I initially started looking at Radflo because they offer a 2.5" monotube shock (Icon goes from 2.0" monotube to 2.5" reservoir). I've decided to go with remote reservoirs, but after having a conversation with Radflo I've decided to go with them.

Back in the day, Overland Warehouse did a valve setup for the 120 chassis and that valving is now what MetalTech is selling with Radflo setups. It's supposed to be very, very good.
 
This is what Toytec is saying about the Uniballs:

"Total Chaos, however, uses a solid 1’’ stainless steel uniball (better) and have had no issues with people living in areas with salted roadways in the winter. I sell these to people in Alaska, the northeastern states, as well as Canada."

So maybe I can still go with Uniball joints but still be ok with salt and s***?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A
 
So I spoke with Total Chaos and they said their stainless steel uniball uppers are fine with the salt and everything. They said that they changed to full stainless steel because they were shipping a lot of them to Russia and the crap they use on the roads out there is pretty bad.
So it looks like the Total Chaos UCA is a good option, I don't mind spending the $ on them as long as they are good and will last.
I just want to do it right the first time.
Now the Icon vs Radflo is a tough decision...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A
 
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