Icon Suspension on Trailboss

Forrest_E · January 7, 2021

Is anyone here running the 1.5" - 3.5" Icon coilovers on a Trailboss or even a stock Silverado? I'm looking at getting the stage 3 kit to level out the TB but have seen many people say that Icon is extremely stiff on road and you feel every little pebble. I'm still opting for Icon since I tow a trailer and boat quite frequently and they are not a progressive shock like Fox and King which would require getting air bags installed as well for towing. If anyone has experience with the Icons your input would be greatly appreciated.

Duramax3oh · January 8, 2021

Flatblack83 I believe has the ICON coilovers. Search for that username, it may help in finding discussion on them.

@Flatblack83

Edited January 13, 2021 by Duramax3oh

Supercup · January 10, 2021

On 1/7/2021 at 9:03 AM, Forrest_E said:

Is anyone here running the 1.5" - 3.5" Icon coilovers on a Trailboss or even a stock Silverado? I'm looking at getting the stage 3 kit to level out the TB but have seen many people say that Icon is extremely stiff on road and you feel every little pebble. I'm still opting for Icon since I tow a trailer and boat quite frequently and they are not a progressive shock like Fox and King which would require getting air bags installed as well for towing. If anyone has experience with the Icons your input would be greatly appreciated.

I have 2020 AT4 with BDS 2.5" lift with Fox 2.5 adj. coilover up front and Fox 2.0's in the rear. I tow a lot - I use load level hitch and sway control to take care of tongue weight and sway issues. Air bags are not needed. If you have 1,200 lbs or less tongue weight this is all you need - if you go over that then you need to upgrade your rear springs with either a sumo spring (economical route) or a new Deaver spring 10 pack.

The 2.0's are great in the back for towing - the 2.5's up front being adj. are great, as you can set for street, tow or off road. I typically stiffen up the front 5 clicks over my road setting. For everyday the Fox are awesome - they are firmer than the stock Rancho's but more compliant, composed and controlled. You can go one click off full soft and have great street ride, stiffen up a bit off road and have a great package off road as well. 10x more capable than stock off road.

Overall I am very happy with the set up and I tow a bunch - typically 7k - 9k total load. I have found that Fox offers the most compliant shock, with King stiffer and Icon stiffer still.

Here is a link to video on air bags vs load level hitch

Link air bag vs load level hitch

https://www.facebook.com/fastwaytrailer/videos/396362497739001/

Edited January 10, 2021 by Supercup

bowtie76 · January 10, 2021

I had the icons on my 17 and loved them, not stiff at all. The truck felt soooo much more controlled overall. I only towed a 14' enclosed trailer with it, but never had any issues.

Forrest_E · January 12, 2021

On 1/8/2021 at 12:42 PM, Duramax3oh said:

Flatblack83 I believe has the ICON coilovers. Search for that username, it may help in finding discussion on them.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Forrest_E · January 12, 2021

On 1/9/2021 at 8:54 PM, Supercup said:

I have 2020 AT4 with BDS 2.5" lift with Fox 2.5 adj. coilover up front and Fox 2.0's in the rear. I tow a lot - I use load level hitch and sway control to take care of tongue weight and sway issues. Air bags are not needed. If you have 1,200 lbs or less tongue weight this is all you need - if you go over that then you need to upgrade your rear springs with either a sumo spring (economical route) or a new Deaver spring 10 pack.

The 2.0's are great in the back for towing - the 2.5's up front being adj. are great, as you can set for street, tow or off road. I typically stiffen up the front 5 clicks over my road setting. For everyday the Fox are awesome - they are firmer than the stock Rancho's but more compliant, composed and controlled. You can go one click off full soft and have great street ride, stiffen up a bit off road and have a great package off road as well. 10x more capable than stock off road.

Overall I am very happy with the set up and I tow a bunch - typically 7k - 9k total load. I have found that Fox offers the most compliant shock, with King stiffer and Icon stiffer still.

Here is a link to video on air bags vs load level hitch

Link air bag vs load level hitch

https://www.facebook.com/fastwaytrailer/videos/396362497739001/

Thanks for all of the tow info. I'll have to get that hitch setup. I originally wanted to get the BDS 4" or 2.5" but after the differential is dropped I won't really have all that much more clearance on the undercarriage I feel lol. Any idea how far the diff. sits off the ground with the 2.5"? Also trying to avoid 20" wheels, I was looking at going 17" w/35s or keeping the stock with 35s for the time being.

Flatblack83 · January 13, 2021

12 hours ago, Forrest_E said:

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Thanks Duramax3oh...! Yes I do, I have the stage 4 setup. With the tubular control arms 2.5 coilovers and 2.5 rear shocks with the adjuster. They are really nice, it rides firm but not harsh. I do tho have it turned up to 3 inch tho. I keep the fronts on setting 2 and the rears at the softest setting until I pull my car trailer and then I set them at 5.

Supercup · January 15, 2021

On 1/12/2021 at 1:22 PM, Forrest_E said:

Thanks for all of the tow info. I'll have to get that hitch setup. I originally wanted to get the BDS 4" or 2.5" but after the differential is dropped I won't really have all that much more clearance on the undercarriage I feel lol. Any idea how far the diff. sits off the ground with the 2.5"? Also trying to avoid 20" wheels, I was looking at going 17" w/35s or keeping the stock with 35s for the time being.

From the ground to the bottom of the diff skid plate is only 8" - that is the low point which is the front edge - it slopes up as you move back. That is with stock Duratrac 275/65/18's on Method 18x9 wheels. GMC specs for AT4 front clearance is 10.12" for AT4 and Denali - mnot sure where there measure too but you are giving up some clearance for sure.

As you can see in the photos I have already hit a few things with the skid plate.

I don't think 17's will work - they won't clear front brakes calipers on the truck. The Tie rod from BDS will interfere with wheel, unless you move wheel out with 0 ot negative offset. You can avoid 20's but 18's are probably as small as you can go.

Front diff skid plate clearance