Upper control arm issues

[nmfoto]

First off, I have been lurking on this site since I purchased my Landcruiser last January. So very helpful. I purchased the Icon 3.0 stage 7 kit for my suspension and I've had nothing but issues. I loved Icon on my two previous vehicles, but this one is a mess. First, the upper control arm doesn't have near the clearance it needs for the large diameter coil-overs. It's impossible to get the hoses routed out of the way so they don't rub. The control arm doesn't offer nearly the adjustment it needs to get the vehicle aligned. What upper control arm is heavy duty enough and offers the most adjustment? Eventually all the Icon crap will have to go. Icon never returns my calls, the back shock on the left is already leaking, and there's only 13,000 miles on the vehicle. Still trying to figure out which way to go with shocks and coil-overs as well. Thanks so much in advance.

 

[82SC]

SPC is known to have the most adjustment

Total chaos
Ironman
Arb

All have Uca for the 200.

 

[bloc]

How much lift? Depending on that number you may not need an adjustable UCA and that can reduce the number of potential issues.

 

[linuxgod]

SPC is the most adjustable UCA, by far. 4 degrees total caster correction available (+3 to -1 deg). Most other UCAs have a fixed caster correction (typically 1-1.5 deg I think). SPC UCAs can also set camber, which is helpful if your LCA cams are frozen but just adds complexity if they're not. That said there are some people on this forum who run what you have and to my knowledge don't have an issue. That's not saying you don't... just that in terms of adjustment there could be reasons (maybe you have more front lift than others? Maybe one of the LCA cams is frozen and not adjusting correctly?)

Hose routing is apparently challenging on lots of coilover kits with remote reservoirs. My Tough Dog shocks aren't bypass style so I don't know a whole lot there.

I have known a few people who have experienced Icon shock failure, particularly in the rear. Some of them twice.

 

[linuxgod]

How much lift? Depending on that number you may not need an adjustable UCA and that can reduce the number of potential issues.

FWIW I needed the adjustable UCA for my mild Tough Dog lift which was <2" up front. Without it I couldn't get caster back up to even the bottom of the Toyota spec. That was by a specialty alignment shop, even. I agree most of the lift kit manufacturers say if you're lifting no more than 2-2.5" you don't need an aftermarket UCA, but my experience (and those of a small number on the forum) seems to differ. I've seen the same with stock weights but different left-vs-right side using the longer rear spring coils, too.

 

[DesmoPilot]

How much lift are you running? I installed Icon UCAs and had plenty of adjustment available. Just did the alignment recently and it was super easy.

 

[bloc]

I really should nail down exactly how much lift I ended up with, but my OME arms got things dialed in while not being adjustable.

 

[nmfoto]

SPC is known to have the most adjustment

Total chaos
Ironman
Arb

All have Uca for the 200.

Thank you. I will check out SPC on durability and strength.

 

[nmfoto]

How much lift are you running? I installed Icon UCAs and had plenty of adjustment available. Just did the alignment recently and it was super easy.

I have 2.6 inches of lift in the front. The issue I think is with the 3.0 coil-overs. There is absolutely no room. The actual spring rubs on the UCA if you try to get more adjustment out of it. I think this upper control arm was designed for the 2.5 coil-overs. Which coil-overs are you running?

 

[Killacaviar]

I have 2.6 inches of lift in the front. The issue I think is with the 3.0 coil-overs. There is absolutely no room. The actual spring rubs on the UCA if you try to get more adjustment out of it. I think this upper control arm was designed for the 2.5 coil-overs. Which coil-overs are you running?

Do you have the icon billet or tube control arms? Also, do they have the adjusters at the frame mount or are they fixed?

With 3.0 you should have the adjustable heim joints at the frame on your control arms. Otherwise it will be tight without that adjustment to push them out.

People seem to like Icon…however, I have had nothing but horrible experiences with them. From parts failing to poor customer service. It was relentless with my old 4Runner.

 

[nmfoto]

SPC is the most adjustable UCA, by far. 4 degrees total caster correction available (+3 to -1 deg). Most other UCAs have a fixed caster correction (typically 1-1.5 deg I think). SPC UCAs can also set camber, which is helpful if your LCA cams are frozen but just adds complexity if they're not. That said there are some people on this forum who run what you have and to my knowledge don't have an issue. That's not saying you don't... just that in terms of adjustment there could be reasons (maybe you have more front lift than others? Maybe one of the LCA cams is frozen and not adjusting correctly?)

Hose routing is apparently challenging on lots of coilover kits with remote reservoirs. My Tough Dog shocks aren't bypass style so I don't know a whole lot there.

I have known a few people who have experienced Icon shock failure, particularly in the rear. Some of them twice.

So helpful.

 

[nmfoto]

Do you have the icon billet or tube control arms? Also, do they have the adjusters at the frame mount or are they fixed?

With 3.0 you should have the adjustable heim joints at the frame on your control arms. Otherwise it will be tight without that adjustment to push them out.

People seem to like Icon…however, I have had nothing but horrible experiences with them. From parts failing to poor customer service. It was relentless with my old 4Runner.

I have the Icon billet and they do have the adjustments at the frame. The rear control arms have heim ends, but the front does not. I think the ride is great, but getting it all to work together has been difficult. It is way too much money to have all of these issues and no one return a call.

 

[nmfoto]

I have the Icon billet and they do have the adjustments at the frame. The rear control arms have heim ends, but the front does not. I think the ride is great, but getting it all to work together has been difficult. It is way too much money to have all of these issues and no one return a call.

Sorry about that, it does have the Heim ends at the frame, and the delta joint that you can grease.

 

[Killacaviar]

I have the Icon billet and they do have the adjustments at the frame. The rear control arms have heim ends, but the front does not. I think the ride is great, but getting it all to work together has been difficult. It is way too much money to have all of these issues and no one return a call.

I know SDHQ in Arizona has a lot of experience with your kit on 200s, they seem to like the Icons.

May be worth a call for some insight.
Any suspension of that level is going to take a good bit of trial and error to get working properly. That much adjustment ability is a blessing and a curse at times.

 

[nmfoto]

I know SDHQ in Arizona has a lot of experience with your kit on 200s, they seem to like the Icons.

May be worth a call for some insight.
Any suspension of that level is going to take a good bit of trial and error to get working properly. That much adjustment ability is a blessing and a curse at times.

Thank you . I'll give them a call.

 

[Killacaviar]

Also, if or when you do decide to swap the icons out. Tough dog makes a fantastic entry level kit. Divisions MRR seems to be liked. And if you want something comparable to what you have call Radlfo. Incredible shocks and best service around for any high end suspension product.

 

[nmfoto]

Also, if or when you do decide to swap the icons out. Tough dog makes a fantastic entry level kit. Divisions MRR seems to be liked. And if you want something comparable to what you have call Radlfo. Incredible shocks and best service around for any high end suspension product.

Perfect! Thanks for taking the time.

 

[linuxgod]

Also, if or when you do decide to swap the icons out. Tough dog makes a fantastic entry level kit. Divisions MRR seems to be liked. And if you want something comparable to what you have call Radlfo. Incredible shocks and best service around for any high end suspension product.

I like my Tough Dog 45mm adjustables, and in fairness I've not driven on Icons, but the TD kit is an incremental upgrade from stock whereas Icon/BP51/King/etc bypass setups should be a significant step up. TD 45s are a great value, but going to them from Icon might be a disappointment in the ride quality (even though they're easier to set up).

Anyone who is in the Chicago area, or who meets up with me at the next LCDC or whatever, is always welcome to drive my truck and compare it to what you have. It's not always apples-to-apples (weight, tire size, etc) but it could be helpful.

 

[UPR LC]

Total Chaos Fab has both urethane bushing and heim joint UCA for the LC200. They also have built a LC200 around KING 3.0 CO and shocks.

You may want to reach out to them to discuss your setup.

Most aftermarket UCAs are built with modified geometry to correct for a lift, I have not heard of people (with a typical lift height) having to make even more changes beyond the UCA and normal cam adjusters on the LCAs. I am not sure the SPC UCAs extra adjustment is really needed, and they may not have the clearance you are looking for to fit the 3.0 COs.

 

[nmfoto]

Total Chaos Fab has both urethane bushing and heim joint UCA for the LC200. They also have built a LC200 around KING 3.0 CO and shocks.

You may want to reach out to them to discuss your setup.

Most aftermarket UCAs are built with modified geometry to correct for a lift, I have not heard of people (with a typical lift height) having to make even more changes beyond the UCA and normal cam adjusters on the LCAs. I am not sure the SPC UCAs extra adjustment is really needed, and they may not have the clearance you are looking for to fit the 3.0 COs.

Thanks. Yeah, I had the total chaos uppers on my 4runner. I replaced the Heim with the Icon delta joint. It was an awesome setup. I think the issue with what I'm running now is the aluminum billet Icon UCAs were designed for the 2.5 coil overs. There's just not enough room. They will move enough to get it aligned properly, but then you have issues with the coil overs rubbing on the UCAs. I love the Icons and the way they feel. I don't mind sending them off to get re-built once in a while. The issue is, I need my truck for the job I do. I spend so much of my time off road in really rough conditions, so I understand they need to be rebuilt more often. I just can't let go of the L.C. to do so.