Icon Front Suspension installed!
With having great success with Old Man Emu we know what good suspension feels like. Some people have already asked whats wrong with OME suspension. The answer is nothing. Its good stuff and at a great pricepoint. However, there is another level to suspension. We have reached that level by going to ICON Vehicle Dynamics. The main thing to recognize here is that Suspension matters! Quite possibly the most crucial upgrade to your vehicle when it comes to comfort and the longevity of your vehicles interior/frame/and bearings etc. Its one of those items where you should buy the best you can afford (This doesn't mean that you buy what you think you "can" afford but since you did you find yourself no longer going out to explore because your "Truck poor"). Ok enough financial advice.
At Expedition Overland we made that same decision. The decision to put on the best suspension available to us. ICON Sponsored our vehicles and we are STOKED!
What does the best suspension available mean to us at XO?
It means...
-We have less fatigue at the end of the day from HEAD BOBBLE (true story your head jaring all day or swaying about takes it out of you.) Less fatigue means a better show because we have the energy necessary to produce it.
-Protecting your asset. AKA the Vehicle. The better the suspension the less abuse the rest of the vehicle takes. On long extended trips in the middle of nowhere this really matters.
-The suspension is tuned for exactly what your using it for and has the best technology built into it to make it work better for longer. (within parameters)
This is the first set of really high end stuff I (Clay)have ever owned. I can already say that it is remarkable!
My wife Rachelle Croft of the XElles drove the MAXTRAX FJ cruiser equipt with ICON in the Rallye Aiche Des Gazelles race in Morocco last year. She was able to participate for the entire 9 day event without a single mechanical issue. At times crawling and other times racing at 80+ across the dried lake beds. She became an instant fan of the ICON suspension and now I am too!
Here are the general details.
We installed the equivalent of the Stage 4 system from ICON. (
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/...ota-Tacoma-Suspension-System-%2d-Stage-4.html)
Overview: This suspension system will give your 05-Up Tacoma the best ride quality and performance compared to any other suspension system on the market today. The front and rear reservoir shocks dissipate heat for long lasting performance. The Billet Upper Control Arms increase articulation and allow for the extended travel shocks to give you the additional wheel travel. The Rear Add a Leaf System will increase your on road ride quality by taking the place of the thick factory over load spring. This system is complete bolt and require very little effort to install. Recommended tire size 285/75R16, wheel 16X8 with 5" back spacing.Stage 4 System Contents:
-New Upper Control Arm Kit
5-8735 - Extended Travel Remote Reservoir Coil-over Shock Kit
5-1100 - 1.5" Lift Rear Add a Leaf Kit ( we replaced this with custom made DEAVER rear springs for a 1000 LB weight increase over stock payload.
5-7505 x 2 - ICON Series Rear Reservoir Shocks
DEAVER Rear leaf springs.
http://www.deaverspring.com/
Front Coil overs:
No comparison between the two!
DEAVER rear springs:
Rear ICON Dual Reservoir Shocks:
Hole drilled for Reservoir Mounting bracket.
Results!
