Which lift: Slee, Tough Dog/ Ironman or Icon stage 3 super deluxe (1 Viewer)

[serran8r]

So I totally went down the rabbit hole...

When I bought my Lx I always planned on removing the AHC and putting on an OME lift. Then I started doing my research and I have head that the OME lift (medium)can be rough, especially for an unloaded vehicle with a front bumper / winch combo (I plan on adding those down the line, no plan on rear bumper at the moment).

I also do love the smooth "luxury" drive of the LX and I don't really want to take that away, especially when I daily the LX.

I read the Ironman and Tough Dog suspensions were much smoother than the OME kit but they don't include upper control arms and a diff drop, which I would add for the sake of the CV joints, steering rack, and suspension.

However, once you add those you are dangerously close in price to the Slee suspension, which I hear is great.

But, that is dangerously close in price to the just differentials super deluxe package with ICON stage 3's.

Any experience and advice with this topic is greatly appreciated. I have never rode in any of these setups so your personal experiences would be great.

 

[jLB]

I'm going though this decision process as well. My 06 LX's AHC is finally starting to show its age. I've enjoyed the AHC system, and really can't complain after it has lasted ~13 years, but I am considering the conversion to a "conventional" suspension.

I don't know that I have the answers, but thought I'd share my thought process so far.

The options that I've been running through:

1) Replace the AHC globes with new OEM globes (at a cost that exceeds a conversion to a conventional suspension). With my experience of repairing a 04 4runner & 03 GX470 rear air suspension, and ending up spending enough to do an aftermarket "coil over"suspension, I'm a little hesitant to go this route.​

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2) Replace the AHC globes with the Pleiades Citroen adapted globes. I'm a little reluctant to deal with an overseas supplier that really doesn't seem to market/deal with International online orders all that well.​

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3) I've got a set of LC takeoff springs and torsion bars in the garage that I've set aside for this situation, as well as some OME 865 springs that we took off my son's LC. Pairing this kit along with some OEM shocks would probably be the most economical solution.​

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4) Typical OME kit. I dealt with my kid's 2000 TLC as a mostly stock "lightweight" (LT 285/75R16 tires) with the basic OME kit, and it really didn't start to "shine" until we added a fair bit of weight.​

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5) ToughDog from Trail Tailor, I cringe at their warning of "This kit is not recommended for a stock rig with no armor modifications." I traded some messages with Trail Tailor, and they seem to have some options for a light weight 100 series.​

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6) Just Differentials "Super Deluxe Suspension Kit". I'm somewhat interested in the Stage I version of this kit, but have have concerns over using rebuildable shocks on a daily driver, and how applicable the kit is for a "lightweight" vehicle. I reached out to Just Differentials, and they seemed to ignore my questions and responded with "links" to the "Super Deluxe Suspension Kit" on their site and a build thread on Expedition Portal for their mid to heavy weight "shop vehicle" using the Stage 3 version of the ICON shocks.​

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7) Slee kit with their shocks. Again, I'm not sure I really want to get into a rebuildable shocks on a daily driver. I like the longevity of the rebuildable shocks, but not sure that I really want to take the vehicle "offline" for the time it takes to rebuild the shocks.​

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8) Ironman kit w/ foam cell shocks. They seem to have an offering that they claim is applicable for an otherwise "stock weight" vehicle. As I discovered on my 80 series with my first OME kit, the Australian concept of "stock weight" doesn't always equal the American concept of a "stock weight" vehicle, and I'm curious which one is being used here.​

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9) KOR "Coil Over" conversion. This might be my choice for a weekend toy or dedicated off-roader, but I'm having a hard time justifying the cost for a daily driver with the occasional off-road trip, and we're back to the rebuildable shocks.​

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I've cycled through options 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, repeatedly, and finally just ordered the ToughDog kit (Option 5) from Trail Tailor. I hope it is more pleasant, in a light weight vehicle, than the OME kit was, when we started with my son's 2000 TLC.

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[serran8r]

Thanks for the input.

I am have never had a vehicle with rebuildable shocks. I have read they last up to 25K miles, depending on use, which is what my vehicle will see in probably 5 years. I am also unaware of the cost of rebuilding the shocks as well. Down time is not a major concern of mine because I can rebuild and still have another daily.

I have heard people raving about the ride quality of both the Tough Dog and Iron Man kits but once you add UCA's and a Diff drop kit you are very close in price to Slee / Icon shocks which are a big step up in terms of off road use but, they are rebuildable with shorter service intervals than simply replacing shocks.

 

[BeEvil]

I went with OME with medium springs and I really like it. We have recovery stuff and survival items in a bag in the rear but it's not that heavy and I can pick up the tote bag it's all stored in by myself. So not really heavy and I find the ride to be very good. I'm very happy with my OME suspension.

 

[4Beast]

I suspect that an OME setup will seem somewhat harsh compared to AHC, but I would recommend trying to go for a ride in someone's truck who has it before anything. Maybe you'd find it completely fine and not need to spend extra money etc. My truck has armor and a roof rack and often a RTT etc, but also has the extra heavy springs and I think it's totally fine while someone else might find it too harsh. There isn't a substitute for the boots on the ground perspective sometimes...

 

[custyota]

I have a 1999 100 with Heavy OME rear springs and OME shocks. My truck rides just fine and handles great on and off road.

 

[implayaz9]

just got my OME installed.. Off course its not going to be OEM ride but I like it. I like it a lot. Also I feel its best priced too for someone who is not into crazy wheeling and such.

 

[serran8r]

I won't lie, saving almost 2 grand sounds fabulous by going the OME route.

Does anyone have any experience in an OME lifted truck and a Slee / Icon?

 

[4Beast]

I won't lie, saving almost 2 grand sounds fabulous by going the OME route.

Does anyone have any experience in an OME lifted truck and a Slee / Icon?

Like i said, you're better off trying to ride in one (or two) yourself, otherwise you run the risk of everyone just justifying their own choices (which are personal to them and may or may not apply to you). A lot of people aren't going to admit they are stupid for buying a $4,000 setup when they could have gotten a perfectly suitable one for 2, or not springing for the better setup, when they went the inexpensive way.

 

[brando1]

I went ome full kit, with diff drop and UCA’s,definitely stiffer then OEM,but not bad as long as you understand you made some sacrifices for Offroad performance. I swapped out the shocks with Ironman pro foam, about a year ago, and they are a big improvement.
After you lift it,seriously look at upgrading the rear lower control arms. I went with big land tank ones from wits end, and that might have made one of the biggest differences in drive quality since I lifted it.
I wish I had done it earlier.

 

[geanes]

ToughDog 53mm Ralph Front/45mm Adjustable Rear on ToughDog torsion bars, heavy dual-rate coils (660-1100#) with Nitro UCAs. Definitely meant for heavier rigs. However, the 41mm front/rear on medium coils would do very well on a stock rig with no armor. It won't ride as smooth as the Toyota OEM. But, it will handle much better.

If you don't plan on armoring up, just don't get the heavier coils and stronger shocks.

 

[MongooseGA]

ToughDog 53mm Ralph Front/45mm Adjustable Rear on ToughDog torsion bars, heavy dual-rate coils (660-1100#) with Nitro UCAs. Definitely meant for heavier rigs. However, the 41mm front/rear on medium coils would do very well on a stock rig with no armor. It won't ride as smooth as the Toyota OEM. But, it will handle much better.

If you don't plan on armoring up, just don't get the heavier coils and stronger shocks.

This. I have the 45/53 TD shocks and SPC UCAs, OME 865 coils. Besides the roughness from my E-rated tires, it rides great. No, not as cushy as the AHC but definitely comfortable. I'll swap in my gold medium TD coils when I put drawers or something else in the back and expect similar ride comfort.

 

[Knowbuddy]

I won't lie, saving almost 2 grand sounds fabulous by going the OME route.

Does anyone have any experience in an OME lifted truck and a Slee / Icon?

This guy does. I have heard mixed from various people. Some love it, others have said don't waste your time with icon. I am a set it and forget it person. So I went OME Heavies because they were local and I know I will eventually have weight.

Builds - Ikarus' LX470 Offroad Build

 

[trdcorolla]

Everyone has difference opinions on harshness. I haven't sat in any lifted 100's yet, but if your coming from sports cars or lowered cars with suspension upgrades OME might be fine with you. If your coming from lifted custom valved shock, the ToughDog might be the way to go. If your coming from reservoir shocks/boutique shocks , your probably going to want the same type on your 100.

 

[MongooseGA]

For reference sake, my perspective is based on being used to functioning AHC or my old w123/126 Benzes with new oem suspensions. I imagine that with a set of less heavy duty tires, you'd hardly notice much difference in comfort than stock with my setup (assuming you have the weight to help out).

 

[Knowbuddy]

I also had fully functional AHC which was amazing until it wasn't. But in hindsight I prematurely got rid of it. Because I like you was worried about a failure in the field which is rare. I have OME now and to me it's great just in a different way. Something else to look at is radflo

 

[serran8r]

For reference, this will be my first lifted "built" truck. I owned a FJ cruiser in the past with a spacer lift and I didn't mind that but I have fallen in love with the comfort of my LX. Also, I left my m3 suspension mainly stock because I love the dual personality of that cars electronic damping control where it can be slightly more forgiving with a push of a button and an unforgiving animal when on the proper roads.

I have been involved in sports cars for the better part of the past decade so I am use to a harsh ride but I feel like a best of both world setup is what is best for me with this build.

Unfortunately, I have also become accustomed to paying the sports car tax so a 3,000 dollar suspension setup is not unheard of. I, like most of you, want to spend the money where it is best served.

That being said, if the real "best of both worlds" is the Slee or Icon or others that may be where I go.

 

[serran8r]

I also think I want to retitle this thread to what is the best "best of both world" setup; nice and comfortable on the road but still highly capable off road.

 

[ga12r1]

For reference, this will be my first lifted "built" truck. I owned a FJ cruiser in the past with a spacer lift and I didn't mind that but I have fallen in love with the comfort of my LX. Also, I left my m3 suspension mainly stock because I love the dual personality of that cars electronic damping control where it can be slightly more forgiving with a push of a button and an unforgiving animal when on the proper roads.

I have been involved in sports cars for the better part of the past decade so I am use to a harsh ride but I feel like a best of both world setup is what is best for me with this build.

Unfortunately, I have also become accustomed to paying the sports car tax so a 3,000 dollar suspension setup is not unheard of. I, like most of you, want to spend the money where it is best served.

That being said, if the real "best of both worlds" is the Slee or Icon or others that may be where I go.

I think the best of both worlds in your case might possibly be Tough Dog 41 fronts and 45 adjustable rears with the appropriate rear springs (maybe OME 860?) with Trail Tailor Diff Drop and his UCAs. I would reach out to Jason @TRAIL TAILOR if you haven’t already and see what he has to say(make sure to ask him what sets his UCAs apart from the others).

The adjustable rears were a game changer for me. My current setup rivals my LX570 on the HWY and is pure awesome off-road. I’d definitely say that’s the best of both worlds.

 

[huddleston]

My setup is:

Icon stage 3
OME medium duty springs
Nitro UCAs
Icon lower control arms
Slee diff drop kit
OME torsion bars

I love it. Had excellent luck with icon on my 80 and have a great relationship with the guys there.