Icon Levelling kit questions

[SDHNTR]

I’m looking for real world experience with the Icon kit shown here. My local shop was trying to sell me on this one when I walked in there to discuss Eibach options with them.

They were at least astute enough to recognize that the Eibach kits were not made for Tremors. I described my needs and driving habits (mountain off roading and pleasant road manners) and the guy was pretty firm on this Icon kit being the best option. He liked it over Bilstein and said King and Fox would be unnecessary and not suited for my purposes. I will also be sticking with stock tire size. I just want to reduce some rake in addition to better performance.

Yet I wonder:

1. Ride qualities vs stock? I’ve heard some complaints of icon being harsh on small abrupt bumps in the road like potholes. We have lots of those where I live.

2. What is the real world front end lift at wheel wells? This gets confusing with a lot of kits that don’t account for the existing 1 inch lift of the Tremor in stock form. When I pressed the guy at the shop with this question, he really couldn’t answer me if that 2 1/2 to 3 inches was on top of stock tremor height, or if that was for regular 150 lift. And ultimately, I do not want more than 2” over Tremor height for the sake of front axle angles. Can you crank this kit down if it does actually lift a full 2.5” over stock Tremor? And for anyone with this kit, how do axle angles look? Any premature wear concerns?

3. Shock longevity? I don’t really want to rebuild or replace after 40 to 50,000 miles. Ideally, would like twice that lifespan.

Any other comments are welcome too. Thanks.

 

[Escape Hatch]

Icon S3 for over 20k miles now.

1. More form than stock. I changed wheels and tires when I did the suspension so I cannot differentiate the pot hole impact related to E tires or suspension, someone else will need to come in here.

2. Yes, the lift is on top of the Tremor factory lift over the regular F150.

3. I hear rebuild is a thing, I haven't had to do it yet.

 

[SDHNTR]

Thanks. It also appears this kit may not work with stock wheels. I do not want more offset. I don’t like tires that poke out. Bummer.

 

[Escape Hatch]

Thanks. It also appears this kit may not work with stock wheels. I do not want more offset. I don’t like tires that poke out. Bummer.

When I had stock wheels and tires after install I had no interference on the Icon billet UCA and had clearance. I did not however check it on full droop.

 

[DMK]

I have the S4 kit on my truck with stock wheels and 285/75/R18 tires. No issues rubbing with the tubular UCA's so that shouldn't be a concern.

1. My experience with the ride quality is that it is definitely stiffer than stock but I wouldn't call it harsh. The small imperfections in the road can be felt a little more but that may also be due to E rated tires as well. I'd say the ride is more planted and "sporty" feeling over the floaty and uncontrolled feeling of the stock suspension/tire combo. Potholes feel better in my opinion and I almost feel encouraged to hit them faster with the Icons. Honestly the faster you hit bumps the better it feels, same goes for off roading.

2. Mine came preset at about 2" lift over stock tremor ride height which is where I left it. You can adjust them down and up from there if you want. I have 25k miles on mine and no issues with the CVs and angles look fine to me.

3. No leaks on mine yet but yeah, you will probably want to rebuild after every 50k miles or so. Or less if you are wheeling it fairly often. That's going to go for any performance level suspension.

Overall the digressive nature of the Icons makes them feel more stiff at slower speeds but they feel great and supportive once you open it up a little more. They are also really good for overlanders with some weight added to the truck. Otherwise it sounds like people are also pretty happy with the halo lifts options which may be a tad more comfortable of a ride at slower speeds than Icons.

 

[SDHNTR]

I have the S4 kit on my truck with stock wheels and 285/75/R18 tires. No issues rubbing with the tubular UCA's so that shouldn't be a concern.

1. My experience with the ride quality is that it is definitely stiffer than stock but I wouldn't call it harsh. The small imperfections in the road can be felt a little more but that may also be due to E rated tires as well. I'd say the ride is more planted and "sporty" feeling over the floaty and uncontrolled feeling of the stock suspension/tire combo. Potholes feel better in my opinion and I almost feel encouraged to hit them faster with the Icons. Honestly the faster you hit bumps the better it feels, same goes for off roading.

2. Mine came preset at about 2" lift over stock tremor ride height which is where I left it. You can adjust them down and up from there if you want. I have 25k miles on mine and no issues with the CVs and angles look fine to me.

3. No leaks on mine yet but yeah, you will probably want to rebuild after every 50k miles or so. Or less if you are wheeling it fairly often. That's going to go for any performance level suspension.

Overall the digressive nature of the Icons makes them feel more stiff at slower speeds but they feel great and supportive once you open it up a little more. They are also really good for overlanders with some weight added to the truck. Otherwise it sounds like people are also pretty happy with the halo lifts options which may be a tad more comfortable of a ride at slower speeds than Icons.

Thanks! Very helpful info. Do you happen to have measurements at the wheel wells?

IDK what to do. Consider this Icon kit or wait until the Eibach Stage 3 is better vetted?

 

[metallikatz3]

I had Icon coilovers and UCAs on my Tremor. Adjusted for about 1" above stock. I ran stock wheels with 285/75/18 tires with no issues.
I was very happy with them and will likely get Icons for my next truck as well.

Ride is firm but very controlled. They really get rid of the rear end bounce from the trucks and make it ride much more comfortably IMO

 

[SDHNTR]

Well Icon is out. I just talked to their tech support. They said stage 1 and/or 2 kits provide 2.5” min (more than I want) and it will make contact with stock wheels and tires.

 

[metallikatz3]

Well Icon is out. I just talked to their tech support. They said stage 1 and/or 2 kits provide 2.5” min (more than I want) and it will make contact with stock wheels and tires.

Those are both totally incorrect based on my experience...

 

[SDHNTR]

Those are both totally incorrect based on my experience...

I’m not doubting you, but that’s straight from the horse’s mouth.

 

[metallikatz3]

New ICON F150 3inch Suspension

Got the front coils installed today! All measurements to the center of the wheel from the fender. Stock height = 23” Lifted height = 26” Full droop = 28.5” limited by UCA contacting frame This is with about 1-5/8” threads exposed which is what they came at from icon. I’ll probably lower them...

www.f150tremor.com

New ICON F150 3inch Suspension

Got the front coils installed today! All measurements to the center of the wheel from the fender. Stock height = 23” Lifted height = 26” Full droop = 28.5” limited by UCA contacting frame This is with about 1-5/8” threads exposed which is what they came at from icon. I’ll probably lower them...

www.f150tremor.com

 

[SDHNTR]

New ICON F150 3inch Suspension

Got the front coils installed today! All measurements to the center of the wheel from the fender. Stock height = 23” Lifted height = 26” Full droop = 28.5” limited by UCA contacting frame This is with about 1-5/8” threads exposed which is what they came at from icon. I’ll probably lower them...

www.f150tremor.com

New ICON F150 3inch Suspension

Got the front coils installed today! All measurements to the center of the wheel from the fender. Stock height = 23” Lifted height = 26” Full droop = 28.5” limited by UCA contacting frame This is with about 1-5/8” threads exposed which is what they came at from icon. I’ll probably lower them...

www.f150tremor.com

That appears to be a different kit than I was inquiring about.

 

[DMK]

Yea they say all of their tremor kits are 2.5in lift minimum but many people here including myself are running lower than that. Same with the stock wheel/tire combo, no issues with clearance.

 

[SDHNTR]

Confusion abounds… the install shops say one thing. The manufacturers say another thing. And consumers say yet another thing.

$3-5k is an expensive experiment.

I just want the best option to give me 1.5-2” max front end lift, favorable road manners that aren’t harsh, and mountain off road capability.

 

[Zx6rocket]

I would highly recommend kings. Had icons in the past on my 04, never leaked one drop for 100k but the kings are night and day better on my 23.

 

[SDHNTR]

I would highly recommend kings. Had icons in the past on my 04, never leaked one drop for 100k but the kings are night and day better on my 23.

Do they make a coilover levelling kit for Tremors? Link?

 

[Zx6rocket]

Only icon makes a special kit for the tremors. Everyone else’s kit is the same as all other models.

Icon you will get 2” of lift. Kings or fox you will get 1” or 1.5 if you adjust preload.

15-26 F150 4WD King 2.5 Remote Reservoir Coilovers 25001-367

 

[Zx6rocket]

King 2.5’s. I pulled the retarded rear stock block and put the shorter fx4 block in.

 

[SDHNTR]

Y

Only icon makes a special kit for the tremors. Everyone else’s kit is the same as all other models.

Icon you will get 2” of lift. Kings or fox you will get 1” or 1.5 if you adjust preload.

15-26 F150 4WD King 2.5 Remote Reservoir Coilovers 25001-367

Thanks, yes I’m aware of Icon but there is confusion, per above, as to whether or not they will work with stock wheels and tires as they include a new UCA and there can be contact.

How do those Kings ride on the road? I’m somewhat concerned about the remote reservoir and ripping the connecting hose somehow. Is that at all a worry?

I do not do high speed desert off-roading. I do mostly slow speed mountain climbing and negotiating ruts and obstacles. I always thought Fox and King were for the high speed Baja rally type stuff.

 

[Zx6rocket]

the kings are excellent on road. I will say they took a few months to break in the springs but they are like a Cadillac now on road adjusted to full soft. Off road they are even better, the harder you exercise them the smoother they run.

I don’t run an aftermarket uca. They make tons of fucking noise and need a lot of lubing love and I have no time for that. Been there done that. They do add bling factor and that’s about it. You will also need to run a wheel spacer or 0/negative offset rim with UCAs in most situations or they will rub a wide tire. Have to measure backspacing.

No way in hell are you going to damage the hose or reservoir they are way out of the way.