Icon Stage 2 Suspension System for '13 Z71 Tahoe

[NativH]

Well, since my shocks and ball joints appear to be shot, instead of going back with OEM it looks like the Icon K73002 system is looking like the best answer right now. I've heard of Icon but really don't have much knowledge of their quality or engineering. The tubular Uniball UCA's and extended travel coilover front end looks right but has anyone installed this and have real world experience with the results on a Tahoe? As long as the front end is taken apart, I'm also going to have 4WheelParts install the Powerstop Heavy Duty Truck and Tow Brake Kit at the same time. BTW, I'm doing front and rear.

Since I already have some Fuel 18x9 wheels with Toyo RT 33x12.50's plus Fab Four front and rear bumpers and a Warn 12,000# winch, I need better brakes and front end than OEM can provide. Even my Chev dealer said to go aftermarket instead of OEM based on what I've already done to it. Any thoughts on if the Icon/Powerstop combination will get the job done?

 

[01Konvict]

Don't think anyone on here is running that kit but for the money it better be great! Look at Fabtech kit with dirt logic shocks might be cheaper option or even FTS makes some coilovers and UCAs. That will help with adjusting and ride quality will improve.

For brakes I would look into a hydroboost setup with stainless lines using Hawk LTS pads and power slot rotors.

 

[NativH]

Thanks 01. I just looked at Fabtech and the hydroboost you mentioned. My days of wrenching are behind me, which is why 4Wheel gets my money. Cheap, no. Stand behind the work, yes and I've gotten over $500 out of them on a screwup before so I know they do. The Fabtech seem to use ball joints instead of Uniball but my biggest issue is the 4" lift. The Icon will only lift me 1" over where I am with the 1-1/2" leveling kit. When not running in west Texas oil fields, I park in a downtown garage and a 4" lift will have me taking light fixtures off the parking garage ceilings, or leaving my roof rack behind. It is hard finding decent/stout front end parts for a Tahoe much less something that doesn't really lift it too much. I don't want/need 35's at least not now. That is why the Icon "seems" to meet my needs but I've never heard of anyone using them. I can be the guinea pig if that is what happens. Thanks for the ideas always.

 

[fiatdale]

My brother uses Icon Uniball components on his Tacoma and has been extremely pleased. Also look into CST. I think you'll be safe for most garages around Houston. I have found that most are 6'8-7', and I'm sitting at 7'1", so I know I cant fit, but I have noticed most are at least 6'8 - so you should be fine if you did a 4". Thats still sitting shorter than a stock Super Duty 4x4 (Especially if you keep your 33's). Wade also made some good points on Fabtec and FTS. Also look at BDS - they too do fox coil overs which are awesome.

 

[NativH]

I looked at CST and liked them, and 4Wheel even agreed to install them although they don't sell them. I do enough with them they will do that for me. And I like Fox as a known quantity over Icon. Uniballs have me in a +/- situation since they are stout, but appear to wear out quickly if you don't maintain them. Luckily most of my offroad is dust not mud so maintenance/cleaning will be easier. I really do a lot of highway driving so good ride is important, but when I go offroad, it can be for real and in places you are on your own. Reliability and toughness are requirements. And I have seen more than one SD 4x4 hit the lights and rafters in our garage.

 

[01Konvict]

Yeah all brands listed here are good and icon are good too. Any 4" kit is setup for whatever height you set it. So to clear lights just adjust the height. Mine is about 7'6" to clear. Sucks you can just go big with it and park outside. I would so do a 7-9" kit with some 35s on x12 with those bumpers

 

[NativH]

01,

The closest surface lot to my office is about a mile away and with surgery on both knees, ain't gonna happen for me. Our garage, across the street, is listed as 6'-9" clearance and I always have my doubts on the trueness of those numbers. I haven't measured my truck but I only have about 4 inches over my rack to the rafters I park under and the lights hang down almost 3 inches between rafters. I figure about 1" is my safe increase.

I also use my truck for my 3 dogs and while my pointer could easily jump in with about another foot of height, the husky/malinois mix is at her max jump and at 85 pounds, lifting her is tough. The border collie/chow is easy to pick up.

Maybe someday this truck will become a beast but for now, a daily driver with serious work requirements necessitates reasonableness. Damn.

 

[ChevyRidinHigh]

The ICON coilovers are adjustable 1-3"

I have tons of friends who run them on their Toyotas and they make an amazing product. Incredible ride on and off-road. My company actually wraps all of the Demello Off-Road vehicles who run ICONs exclusively.

If you have the cash definitely go for it. I am on the fence on going this route or going 7.5" lift.

 

[NativH]

CRH,

Nice to know. I keep hearing about Toyota's using Icon but I guess I'll be the local Tahoe trial. I'll be doing some SE New Mexico and far West Texas stuff in a few months and may get to try this out offroad somewhat seriously then. Probably get it installed in a week or two and mostly highway until mid year. I better measure my before/after height and several places in the parking garage just to be sure on where I get the height set. Thanks for the input gents.

 

[fiatdale]

If you need assistance Im on the west side / Katy area.

 

[NativH]

Fiatdale,

Thanks and I certainly may take you up on that. I'm in the Memorial area at Memorial Drive and BW8.

 

[Zed 71]

Well, since my shocks and ball joints appear to be shot, instead of going back with OEM it looks like the Icon K73002 system is looking like the best answer right now. I've heard of Icon but really don't have much knowledge of their quality or engineering. The tubular Uniball UCA's and extended travel coilover front end looks right but has anyone installed this and have real world experience with the results on a Tahoe?

I run Icon on my Toyota FJ and they are robust, easily adjustable, great ride, and awesome offroad. I have the 2.5" coilovers with Total Chaos UCAs. The rear setup is Icon 2" lift coils with 2.0 shocks. Should have went and got the 2.5 rear shocks though.

My wife is now driving the Tahoe and when we need to replace the struts and shocks, I will try to convince her to go Icon (if we are keeping the rig).