Icon Stage 4 - Are the dampers adjustable by default?

2021 DC, 4wd

I have been searching quite a bit on both these forums, Icon's website, and general internet searches, so if this is beating a dead horse, I missed it somewhere. I caught a small blub on a Youtube video that suggests the below, but I need to be sure before pulling the trigger. This may be obvious to those familiar with this brand's systems. I am a bit of an old school wheeler, camper and mountain hunter and reaching out to educate myself.

For reference, my truck build is for the new buzz word I keep seeing called 'overlanding'. I plan on starting with the Texas BAT, then the TAT, and the continental divide trail from Mexico to Alaska once my kids are out of the house. I can spend some money, but I have a limited budget to piece together my rig over a year or two. As I understand it, like my FJ80 with 380k miles, the Tundra should last at least that long.

At stage 4, it adds the remote reservoirs, but what is not obvious for me is if those reservoirs contain the adjustable stiffness knob by default. I understand "stiffness" is not really what is going on there with the rate of fluid flows and such, but figured it was a good generic term to use. For example, I have Rancho RSX9000s on my lifted Wrangler with the 9 way adjustment knob, and I can go from dump truck stiff to your gramp's Lincoln pillow soft ride with a few clicks. I love it.

I assume that because stage 3 does not have the remote reservoirs, it is not adjustable in this sense, so that is a no for me. If stage 4 has the adjustable stiffness, I will most likely go that route. If that adjustability does not come until later stages at a significant price increase, I have some thinking to do. I will not add UCA's until needed later as I will keep it dialed in between 2.5" and 2.75" as I add weight for a winch bumper, dual batts, etc.

To summarize, if stage 4 allows me to adjust the ride stiffness, then I will go with it. If not, and I have to spend a whole lot more to get the adjustability in later stages, I might look to a different solution like OME or Fox instead.

Thanks for reading.

 

What you first need to do is figure out what you want, honestly.

Icon vs Fox are different beasts in regards to ride (clickers aside). Read about disgressive (icon, Bilstein) vs progressive (ads, fox, king, etc).

Best thing to do is find someone local with both styles and go for a ride.

 

Burrito, I want to thank you for the education. After reading your post, I read and watched videos on shock valving for digressive vs. linear vs. progressive and now understand the difference. My Wrangler's suspension must be progressive because it is very soft over small bumps and is more of a luxury car ride on the street with lean, but stiffer over larger hits, which I like. My ZJ had the Bilstein setup and now I understand why I did not care for the ride. It handled well on the street but was choppy on small bumps, and when I hit a big bump, it was under damped and would bottom out. I hated that.

 

Reach out to Erick or Jay with @state48overland

They will ask you questions to get an idea of build wants, drive style and what you want from your build. They will work with you to get you setup the proper way the first time! Great group of guys.

 

I appreciate the help and education regarding this. I have elected to go a different route than Icon.