GEN 2 Icon vs Deavers

[codeman]

What's the best overall considering these factors:

1. Improving on-road comfort and reducing wheel hop
2. Being as close to stock ride height as possible
3. Will only ever have up to around 500lbs in the back at most typically
4. Longevity up north in cold & salty road environments

I like that the Icons come with an extra leaf if needed. Seems like a lot recommend Deaver as being #1 from what I can tell however?

I'd like to upgrade the leaf spring before I get into shock swaps etc. as I do notice the stock leaf springs really bounce around especially on small undulations on pavement, it can bounce you around like a jackhammer with a lot of wheel hop stepping on the gas.

 

[Swaddict]

Coke or Pepsi? Deaver has more options to choose from (but you are stuck with the option you choose) and Icon gives you 2 different options in their package. Yes to both for question 1. Are you every going to install springs up front? That will play into the equation of stock height or level. Question 3, Icons with extra leaf or Deaver's 3 (I believe) will work. Will you install aftermarket shackles, that is another option to think about. I did Icons, extra leaf and RPG shackles and sit around 42" in the rear. Question 4, use Amsoil metal protector or equivalent and touch up paint periodically.

 

[II Sevv]

There is no “one is better”, as the weight and weight distribution plus driving usage of every single truck is different. You’ll have to take as much information as you can and use that to infer what you think will be the best for you. The icons have 8 leaves, and the Deavers have 11, although the stiffness and arrangement of leaves across both manufacturers is different as well. I have icons and love them, but haven’t tried deavers. If you decide to go icon, I have a wholesale relationship and can get you $400 off shipped.

 

[codeman]

Thanks guys! Both answers are helpful for sure. I wonder if either or both, or none of the spring sets take into account the different weight distribution on the driver's side of the truck with the tank and driver sitting? Might sound like a ridiculous question, but I did see somewhere digging around in a thread that someone thought the Deaver's sagged a bit too much on the drivers side. Any validity to that?

The longer I look around, I'm more leaning towards the Icons. Seems like less overall weight, and nice that they come with the extra leaf insert if you want to stiffen them slightly / need it for some towing. No replacement springs up front, but might eventually go for the Fox Factory 3.0 Live Valve shock upgrades.

Sevv, that would be awesome. Even more towards Icon with a deal I'll PM you

 

[M_NorthRaptor]

I have icons as well for about 4 weeks now and so far they are good. No axle wrap on the rough pot hole grounds we have. Smoothed the ride right away (I'm in option 2 on my icons) in each situation.
If you are going to do leafs you mise well spend the extra cheddar now and get a bump kit for ease of install and not having to take the leafs apart again and would need new ubolts as well.
Either or are great products tho. But if your leaving the front stock for now and you go the icon route leave the leafs in option 1 for now. Would look rather funny and the ride wouldn't be right with stock front
I have eibachs up front, with a couple hundred pounds in the bed with option 2 I'm basically leveled.
Hope this helps, I just woke up so may not make sense hahaha

 

[OEMPlus Raptor]

I just got the Icon's and they are more firm than stock. I've only put 60 miles on them, but I'm hoping to break them in soon. They are more firm than stock, but it's not bothersome. Option 1 and I got 42.5 right now. They might settle however some say they don't so who knows. I was on the same boat, I thought about going Deavers too and never counted the leaf pack and I'm wondering if 11 would result in a smoother ride.

 

[element217]

I just got the Icon's and they are more firm than stock. I've only put 60 miles on them, but I'm hoping to break them in soon. They are more firm than stock, but it's not bothersome. Option 1 and I got 42.5 right now. They might settle however some say they don't so who knows. I was on the same boat, I thought about going Deavers too and never counted the leaf pack and I'm wondering if 11 would result in a smoother ride.

View attachment 160074

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.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I just got the Icon's and they are more firm than stock. I've only put 60 miles on them, but I'm hoping to break them in soon. They are more firm than stock, but it's not bothersome. Option 1 and I got 42.5 right now. They might settle however some say they don't so who knows. I was on the same boat, I thought about going Deavers too and never counted the leaf pack and I'm wondering if 11 would result in a smoother ride.

View attachment 160074

Deavers or ICONS are going to make the ride more firm plain and simple. That’s the trade off when you minimize wheel hop and the rear end from kicking out on every bump that you get. Looks like you have the Fox Factory series 3.0s as well. They too make the ride more firm than stock, but again that’s the trade off you get when you want better dampening and performance.

 

[OEMPlus Raptor]

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.

I have Fox Live Valve 3.0 set to 2 inches of lift.

Sent from my IN2025 using Tapatalk

 

[OEMPlus Raptor]

Deavers or ICONS are going to make the ride more firm plain and simple. That’s the trade off when you minimize wheel hop and the rear end from kicking out on every bump that you get. Looks like you have the Fox Factory series 3.0s as well. They too make the ride more firm than stock, but again that’s the trade off you get when you want better dampening and performance.

Thanks, yeah I understand that. Not unhappy with the upgrades at all. Sometimes peoplemake it seem like the ride is more plush when in fact it's a little more firm than the factory ride.

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