Don't know if this is going to happen before I need to decide which shocks to go with.
There are guys out there who's opinions I respect who have chosen to go with one or the other. My question: Is there anyone impartial out there who has tried both and wants to give an opinion?
I really wanted to get this done before TRR!
---------- Post added at 09:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ----------
I'm down to either Fox or Icons.
The hardest part about asking that, is that there's virtually nobody with zero bias. Most people WANT to believe what they have is "the best" and that's the reason they bought the setup they have.
That being said, I've spent thousands of off road miles in my truck, other peoples trucks, and have experienced the 3 major brands that we're referring to, with one exception (I'll get to that in a minute).
Of the setups that I've tried, I feel the Icons have the best "all around" characteristics for what I personally need, and what I feel most owners would want. The fact they ride so well on-road, with the ability to make them perform incredibly offroad with just a few clicks, is what really makes me feel they're the best choice for most people. The ride is truly VERY close to stock when "S" is selected on the front shocks... which is damn impressive for a 3" piston (Keep in mind the Fox 3.0 shocks are actually using a 2.5" piston, so a smoother ride can be easier to achieve from the get go).
Secondly, I've had some front-end impacts that literally made me clinch up, expecting to be slammed into oblivion... only to find I didn't even bottom the skid plate out, which I used to ALL THE TIME with the stock shocks. In my experience with the two other brands, those "oh shit" moments still resulted in a front end impact with the dirt. The internal hydraulic bump zone on these front shocks is amazing... it REALLY works well, all B.S. and marketting hype aside.
Third, the customer service you will receive with the Icons is second to NOBODY. No other manufacturer will give you the attention, and respond to your issues like Icon has demonstrated to it's current customers over the past few months. How many companies can you actually call, and speak to the engineer who designed, tuned, and created these shocks? Pretty awesome, in my opinion. They're also constantly improving their product, and never settle for "good enough". Their 3.0's have already seen a variety of small improvements, even just since I installed them 4 months ago. On top of that, if you have any issues, they're on top of it in short order... great guys, personally and professionally.
My buddy Gordon Brown, who has as many off road miles as I do, just recently swapped out his King shock, for a set of Icons, after taking my truck for a spin, and getting to see and feel the differences in not only the shocks themselves, but how Icon conducts business. That says a lot, in my book.
The only setup I haven't tested, and can't feel confident saying is any better or worse, is the RPG-tuned Fox shocks. I'm sure the reason RPG has their own custom tuning, is because the stock setup just sucks... and I'm there's there's a significant improvement, but haven't had the chance to experience it. However, even if the off road setup is great, for the reasons I listed above, I would STILL prefer the Icons, because of the 3 main points I listed above.
Just my opinion... I really have nothing to gain by being biased, and although I work closely with Outlaw, keep in mind they also sell all 3 major brands, and have no reason to be heavily biased either.
