To icon or not to icon? Also questions about ironman. Help me make a decision.

patrick32378 [OP] · 02-13-2012, 01:27 AM

Been waiting around for a good classified ad with right suspension at the right price but I've about reached my patience limit and might bite the bullet on something this coming week.

Background: I will go offroad seldom, maybe once a month then the random large event a couple times a year. This might increase and sure i'd like to be able to do most trails AT these places.

I am considering dropping the cash for icons simply because they are tried, true, and will likely suffice for most situations even if i go adding weight (bumpers).

I know that ironman has a good product and I am certainly open to something not quite "the best of the best" (yes, arguable but icon is certainly up there at the top) if it would meet all my needs

Questions:

-Icon: will this require immediate purchase of any other things like diff drop and/or control arms and other things I might not know of? I've even read about radiator drops but perhaps this is with a 'body chop?"

-Ironman: is 2in clearance sufficient height for most trail riding? I think the rear lift is very minimal. Might I be looking for something with more lift in this case?

-Can i simply add different, heavier coils in the future when I will likely not be able to resist the urge to buy a bumper?

Are these rebuildable?

I'd love to save nearly a grand if the ironman is sufficient. I dont want to drop $700 that i'll want to change completely even if it's a year or two.

I've read that one can run 33' with the ironman. Does anyone know if this is accurate? No chance of 35's? or does that require 'regear' (only know the term not the purpose/details). I suppose that it's possible the lift simply cant fit 35's.

Lastly can anyone with any ironman suspension lifts post pics? The ones I've seen were on pretty old threads if i remember, and looks are a big part of this for me. from the few very small thumbnails I can hardly notice a lift much above stock at all.

thanks for your input

**lmmmmm** · 02-13-2012, 03:10 AM

icons are rebuildable.

you don't need anything else but without aftermarket uca's it is tugher to get alignment to spec. you don't need a diff drop,

body chops are for larger tires. def needed for 35 tires might need it for 33 depending on tire.

if getting icon you don't need to change coils as they are adjustable to 3.5 inches.

Gabex35 · 02-13-2012, 01:38 PM

Kings and be done with it. i bought ICON's stage 1 and am now saving for the kings. Kings are like driving on clouds compared to the Icons

patrick32378 [OP] · 02-13-2012, 10:57 PM

I know that icons are rebuildable. I was curious if the ironman's are. As i do not yet know what makes a suspension component rebuildable. That could factor into the decision as well as other things.

I know the choice of quality is hands down on the side of icon. I saw some king's in the classifieds but was too late! Looking daily for something good. I'm just not sure that I need such an expensive suspension. Now, I dont. I need sufficient along with something good for the road too since I commute so dang much. yes of course the more capable of trail riding I am, the more I'll get into it. Yes it's heading towards one of the pricier suspensions.

Is anyone with knowledge of the ironman gas or foam cell shocks (i welcome as many opinions as possible) reading this? I am not having much luck finding a pic of an FJ on this suspension.. I'll continue to search. The info states a very minimal lift but adjustable. It does not give the total lift that I've yet to se. perhaps this is where springs would come into play for the rear and maybe the front is adjustable enough to compensate. If not can one put a spacer on top of a coil-over? Perhaps I'm way off.

Basically, I"m curious if the around $700 prictag on these is worth it. I'm sure they perform well. If they are a sufficient off road suspension with at least 2 in of lift then I'd be willing to spend that much and change things up in a year or so. Who knows, this might fit my needs completely! Any higher a pricetag I may as well get icons when I save just a little more. Any less and I may as well just get a spacer lift in the mean-time.
Another option is to find someone selling, for instance, rear icon shocks. Get the rest Ironman and then start gathering a full icon system eventually.

Seems more confusing the more I think about it and the closer I get to it....I seem to know what i want less. which is why the idea of just saying screw it and buying a new icon set is appealing.

Anyone with an iron man suspension who has used it riding with others with popular suspensions have any insight?

**lmmmmm** · 02-13-2012, 11:08 PM

Ironman is just starting to make more products available in the US. So, that may be you dont find the info you need. you might want to contact them directly.

Offroad94 · 02-13-2012, 11:12 PM

also to your question about the lift sizes, most suvs and trucks have a higher tail end than front to compensate for towing. This is why the vehicles never look level without wight in the rear. An Icon is 3 in the front and 2 in the back. For the diff drop I thought it was needed for over 3 in, so if you run the icons at 3.5 inches I believe you need a diff drop.

patrick32378 [OP] · 02-13-2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Offroad94 previously said:

also to your question about the lift sizes, most suvs and trucks have a higher tail end than front to compensate for towing. This is why the vehicles never look level without wight in the rear. An Icon is 3 in the front and 2 in the back. For the diff drop I thought it was needed for over 3 in, so if you run the icons at 3.5 inches I believe you need a diff drop.

This reminds me of a question I was going to ask in some forum, I'll do it here. Are lifts "level" for any specific and beneficial purpose? I ask because I really like the look of having the back end slightly, noticeably higher than the front. It makes it look a little more aggressive like's its getting ready to charge!

DOfj · 02-13-2012, 11:26 PM

Get the icon's, go with a tubular uca. (IMO the aluminum icon uca is not worth the extra money)
Diff drop is not needed.

Ironman?? To new to consider. If you have a problem with them, getting them serviced will be a pita.

Kings are a little to soft for me. (in oem replacement setup) I know they can be ordered anyway you want but I believe they are a little more money.

Offroad94 · 02-13-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

patrick32378 previously said:

This reminds me of a question I was going to ask in some forum, I'll do it here. Are lifts "level" for any specific and beneficial purpose? I ask because I really like the look of having the back end slightly, noticeably higher than the front. It makes it look a little more aggressive like's its getting ready to charge!

Only reason people keep it level is for looks, it might be possible that it keeps the cog (center of gravity) lower but not sure on that.

patrick32378 [OP] · 02-13-2012, 11:50 PM

Quote:

DOfj previously said:

Get the icon's, go with a tubular uca. (IMO the aluminum icon uca is not worth the extra money)
Diff drop is not needed.

Ironman?? To new to consider. If you have a problem with them, getting them serviced will be a pita.

Kings are a little to soft for me. (in oem replacement setup) I know they can be ordered anyway you want but I believe they are a little more money.

Yeah. the icon uca are something that are way down on my list of priorities and would definitely plan a different uca at least for quite a while. I'm trying to avoid uca for at least a month after getting a new suspension or I'm gonna end up spending more than I should. Worst case I'd just leave the suspension sitting till i did get them (fat chance).

I'm also open to other suggestions for a good quality setup around or under 600-700 (like ironman) to see if its something I could get by with and not go overkill on something I rarely if ever truly need as of yet.