Wanted to write my pelimary review on the Icon Lift. I'll update post for a long term update down the road.
Kit Overview:
This kit is more of a leveling kit, but done the right way. I knew this going into it, but I wanted a full suspension upgrade, not just spacers. Rear is a fixed lift as it simple adds a 1" block under leaf springs to gain height. On the rear you also get a full shock replacement with piggy back. The rear is pretty straight forward. Install it and never think about it again as there are no post install adjustments.
The front gives you UCA's along with full coil overs. On their website, Icon says 2-3" Lift. This is accomplished by providing an adjustable collar on spring that can be spun to provide up to 3" lift.
Overall I'm very happy with quality of kit and the install is straight forward (although I did have a shop install for me).
What I would like to see from Icon is 2 different blocks for the rear of truck. One 1" block (already includes) and a 2" block. The reason for this is how the front setup operates. If I put front at 3", I end up with a Cali lift (front 1" higher than rear). I think Lift would be perfect with 3" in front and 2" in rear so it sets itself apart from a $150 leveling kit height wise. Not sure it's this easy to just put 2" block on rear, but it would be nice.
Ride Quality:
I wasn't sure what to expect from kit. I've riden in full 3/4 ton trucks and they ride like crap. This was one big positive with XD, you get many features of 3/4 ton with 1/2 ton ride quality.
Keep in mind kit is new and is not broken in so Ride will likely improve. First thing I noticed was a little more "bouncy" feeling cruising side streets. I was a little annoyed, but then I hit my first big dip in road and was blown away. Just freaking eats it like nothing. Same with speed bumps, just eats em. So loose a little ride quality in the real small road bumps, huge gains everywhere else. I'm also having an alignment issue that I'm going back for. They didn't do a good job here and likely because shop that aligned didn't have specs for XD. I'm doing dealer or another shop once suspension settles to fine tune.
I can wait to get a trailer behind this thing and I'm sure it will be very well mannered over stock.
Would I buy it again?...yes but.
Kit is actually pieced together when ordered. I would order Stage 3 shocks for rear so I can adjust compression when pulling 10k lbs. Stage 2 can be rebuilt with Stage 3 stuff, but would have been nice to have thought about it beforehand.
Also, why in the **** doesn't Icon include spanner wrench? I mean seriously. Had to buy on Amazon to adjust front suspension. Speaking of, it's a huge pain to adjust even with wheel at full droop. 4 complete turns on spring collar will net you about 2" Lift in front. I have mine at 3 and ended up with 1.75" Lift. This gives me a tiny bit of rake so when I load it up, the front isn't popped way up over rear. Also doing this it made suspension feel tighter which is a good thing. Didn't care for the feel of suspension with collar all the way up (1" Lift).
Up next wheels/tires.
Kit Overview:
This kit is more of a leveling kit, but done the right way. I knew this going into it, but I wanted a full suspension upgrade, not just spacers. Rear is a fixed lift as it simple adds a 1" block under leaf springs to gain height. On the rear you also get a full shock replacement with piggy back. The rear is pretty straight forward. Install it and never think about it again as there are no post install adjustments.
The front gives you UCA's along with full coil overs. On their website, Icon says 2-3" Lift. This is accomplished by providing an adjustable collar on spring that can be spun to provide up to 3" lift.
Overall I'm very happy with quality of kit and the install is straight forward (although I did have a shop install for me).
What I would like to see from Icon is 2 different blocks for the rear of truck. One 1" block (already includes) and a 2" block. The reason for this is how the front setup operates. If I put front at 3", I end up with a Cali lift (front 1" higher than rear). I think Lift would be perfect with 3" in front and 2" in rear so it sets itself apart from a $150 leveling kit height wise. Not sure it's this easy to just put 2" block on rear, but it would be nice.
Ride Quality:
I wasn't sure what to expect from kit. I've riden in full 3/4 ton trucks and they ride like crap. This was one big positive with XD, you get many features of 3/4 ton with 1/2 ton ride quality.
Keep in mind kit is new and is not broken in so Ride will likely improve. First thing I noticed was a little more "bouncy" feeling cruising side streets. I was a little annoyed, but then I hit my first big dip in road and was blown away. Just freaking eats it like nothing. Same with speed bumps, just eats em. So loose a little ride quality in the real small road bumps, huge gains everywhere else. I'm also having an alignment issue that I'm going back for. They didn't do a good job here and likely because shop that aligned didn't have specs for XD. I'm doing dealer or another shop once suspension settles to fine tune.
I can wait to get a trailer behind this thing and I'm sure it will be very well mannered over stock.
Would I buy it again?...yes but.
Kit is actually pieced together when ordered. I would order Stage 3 shocks for rear so I can adjust compression when pulling 10k lbs. Stage 2 can be rebuilt with Stage 3 stuff, but would have been nice to have thought about it beforehand.
Also, why in the **** doesn't Icon include spanner wrench? I mean seriously. Had to buy on Amazon to adjust front suspension. Speaking of, it's a huge pain to adjust even with wheel at full droop. 4 complete turns on spring collar will net you about 2" Lift in front. I have mine at 3 and ended up with 1.75" Lift. This gives me a tiny bit of rake so when I load it up, the front isn't popped way up over rear. Also doing this it made suspension feel tighter which is a good thing. Didn't care for the feel of suspension with collar all the way up (1" Lift).
Up next wheels/tires.