Icon launches new suspension system for Toyota Tacoma

44760e54 D1d7 49da 9e63 07879e149b92Icon Vehicle Dynamics has launched the RXT Rear Suspension System for the 2005-up Toyota Tacoma.

Icon reports that it took over a year and thousands of miles of accelerated testing in its R&D program to develop this suspension system designed for extreme off-road use.

“Icon Vehicle Dynamics’ engineers have pushed this vehicle to extremes in order to develop the most sophisticated suspension components on the market,” the company reports. “Unable to leave well-enough alone, Icon is once again aiming to raise the bar in Tacoma performance with the introduction of the RXT Rear Suspension System.”

Icon engineers designed its latest suspension system to provide unparalleled performance for everything from high-speed desert running to off the grid expedition.

The RXT Rear Suspension System includes three all-new 2.5 Series rear shock options and a multi-rate leaf spring that work in conjunction with the Icon rear bump stop kit. Installation of this system replaces what Icon has found to be “limiting factors” in the OEM design.

Expect a 20 percent increase in wheel travel and the ability to adjust the leaf spring rate to compensate for varying vehicle setups.

Icon Hydraulic Rear Bump Stop Kit

F767ab0e 83d1 42b8 B80b F878b7e98c3fThe job of the bump stop is to control and limit the final position of the suspension during up-travel.  Icon reports that the factory rubber bump stops have a limited energy absorption capacity and an uncontrolled release of this energy upon rebound – translating into a harsh ride and poor handling during spirited driving in rough terrain.

Icon’s Tacoma Rear Bump Stop Kit is designed to absorb and release this energy in a much more controlled manner resulting in predictable handling and vehicle dynamics.

Like all Icon hydraulic bump stops, these feature velocity sensitive technology which means that as the shaft speed increases the damping ability ramps up to provide bottoming resistance that won’t negatively affect articulation.

Icon RXT Multi-Rate Leaf Spring

To take advantage of the additional travel that the RXT Rear Suspension System offers, ICON engineers had to scrap the OE leaf springs and develop a replacement that addressed issues found in the R&D process. The result is a user-adjustable multi-rate leaf pack designed to provide a major performance gain for Tacoma trucks.

Icon reports that features like tip inserts and leaf separators reduce friction and increase ride comfort, while a military wrapped front eyelet improves the durability and strength of the leaf spring.

B9da27c7 Fb5e 4639 B1cb 01ac719bea9bTo increase the ride quality of the truck and gain additional droop travel, the spring rate has been lowered slightly.

“While many Tacoma owners will embrace this, there are those who have outfitted their trucks with a significant amount of weight in the form of a bed rack, roof top tent, spare tires, parts, or other additions,” Icon states in its press release.

“Understanding this, the leaf pack was designed with an additional leaf (included with kit) that can be exchanged or added to the pack yielding an additional 10 or 20 percent spring rate that will handle more ‘outfitted’ vehicles.”

Icon RXT Rear Shocks

To complete the RXT Rear Suspension System, three new shock options were developed that could control the suspension throughout this new range of travel.

These options include a 2.5 Series remote reservoir shock, a 2.5 Series CDC Valve shock, and a two-tube Omega bypass that provide unique levels of performance to the rear end of the Tacoma.

The increase in wheel travel was answered with a unique side-mount eyelet approach that allowed Icon engineers to develop a shock that is shorter in collapsed length, longer at extension, and still fits in the factory mounting location. A large 10-inch remote reservoir was added to aid in heat dissipation and resist shock fade during spirited driving.

“The 2005-up Toyota Tacoma is an extremely reliable truck that has served as a versatile platform for drivers seeking the ultimate off-road adventure. From the brutal deserts of the Southwest, to the slickrock of Moab, to the wooded trails of the East coast ICON suspension systems have been put to the test and performed flawlessly for this popular Toyota,” Icon states.