GEN 2 Icon vs Deavers

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element217

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By going with more lift on the coils, would that increase the firmness? So say you kept them at stock height or even 1 inch of lift - it may ride smoother? There are also 3 settings on a click dial that can adjust firmness yes?
 
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By going with more lift on the coils, would that increase the firmness? So say you kept them at stock height or even 1 inch of lift - it may ride smoother? There are also 3 settings on a click dial that can adjust firmness yes?

The higher the lift on front shocks, the firmer/harsher the ride. That’s not to say that the ride will be horrible/bad, but you should notice a difference.
 

OEMPlus Raptor

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By going with more lift on the coils, would that increase the firmness? So say you kept them at stock height or even 1 inch of lift - it may ride smoother? There are also 3 settings on a click dial that can adjust firmness yes?
That is correct. At first they were set at 0 preload (factory ride height). It was more firm than stock with those setting. Now with the preload it's almost the same. Not much difference from zero preload but again I've only put like 60 miles since I got it back. The 3.0s are set to the middle setting on the dial. I forgot what they name it. So yes in theory the less preload the better the ride but from what I've seen it's not by much. I have yet to put them on the softest setting for everyday driving.

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element217

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Yes - I was guessing that the higher you raised the truck the more preload it would have and this make it firmer. My thought was that if it was at factory height settings on the soft ride setting it might be about the same ride quality as stock.
 

II Sevv

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“Stiffer” is extremely misleading. Because the icon and deavers both have more leaves than stock, they are more compliant and more progressive. Off-road, they have the net effect of actually feeling SOFTER over big bumps because they let the shock do what it’s supposed to. With my stock springs I had stuff flying out of the bed when hitting speed bumps fast, and now with the icons my tools in the bed barely even make noise.

Yes, raising your coilovers increases spring preload and will therefore make your front end feel stiffer. However, there are many other effects to consider. By raising preload you are also adjusting your steering geometry at ride height and your tie rods will now exert a different angle of leverage on your spindle, making your truck handle differently. Your tire will now be able to exert more leverage on your steering rack, increasing bump steer and wandering. Whether you feel it will handle better or worse is subjective. You also need to consider the calving of your front shock when adjusting preload. All of the aftermarket coilover options have much longer shocks than stock, and are valved to perform differently than stock at the same height. I raised my King coilovers to about an inch and a half over stock (at the tire, not at the spring), and it rode much better, absorbing bumps more smoothly because I gained all that up travel.

You also need to consider the fact that your aftermarket coilovers may not have the same spring rate as stock. I’m not sure about fox, but I know for a fact that King and Icon coilovers both have at least 600 lb. springs. Stock is 550.

Another factor playing into front end comfort is the way the dial adjusters work. They’re inherently flawed which is why a custom valving setup or a secondary bypass can be so effective. Whereas an external bypass shock uses tubes placed at specific points on the body to route additional shock oil flow around the piston and adjust compression and rebound that way, when you spin your compression adjuster on your coilover you are actually threading a pin with a hole cut into it, in and out of an assembly, and all you’re doing is restricting shock oil flow to a greater or lesser degree by adjusting how much of the pin is exposed. Your adjuster is simply adjusting the oil resistance the piston encounters, as opposed to an external bypass shock that only adds or subtracts oil (yes the IBP shocks do have internal bypass channels, but you are still adjusting oil flow with the adjuster just like you would in a normal non-IBP shock.
 
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II Sevv

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what do you have on the fronts?

I would think that more spring leafs would have a firmer ride but just guessing. Undecided between Deavers and Icons currently. Not totally sure I want the extra height.
The firmness is decided by the thickness, length, and degree of bend of each leaf. There’s honestly no objective way to test it, other than by trying both and deciding which ones feel better to you.
 

II Sevv

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If anyone is interested, I revisited some of the Icon information on their leaves, and the overall spring rate of their leaves is actually lower than stock as shipped from icon, so they should in no way “feel stiffer”. They include an extra leaf that can be added to then raise the spring rate.
 

zx14teryx

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I too am undecided. I don’t want to ruin the plush unloaded ride. I pull a boat a short distance most weekends #600 tongue weight. Like 8 miles round trip, so In reality, I could just leave it stock. With eibachs up front to level it, when the trailer is hooked up it drops 2 3/4”. Maybe twice a year, I will travel 100 miles with this load, so I feel I should do something. Deaver L84HD ( these are +3,) so empty would be a inch higher out back, that’s fine. would be the choice, but I am afraid unloaded they would be too much. Deaver +3 sd will squat just like the stockers. So looking for something in between the HD and the SD. thinking maybe ICONS in option 2 mode might be it.
 

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I'm really liking this upgrade so far. After 500 miles they seem to be settling in nicely and are not super firm like they were when new.

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Raptoe13

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Has anyone actually ordered and received their Icons recently? I ask because I ordered a set from Stage 3 Motorsports back in August and have yet to receive them. They keep blaming Icon and Covid. I understand if Icon can't get raw materials or whatever to get the springs made, but it's really getting bothersome.
 
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