ICON Spring replacement Q ??

Hi Guys,

Item: ICON 2.5 coilovers ET with 13"/650# springs, PN: 58635

http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop...xtended-travel-front-coil-over-shock-kit.html

I want to change my 13"/650# front springs for 14"/700# springs. (I'm adding a hidden winch and a 73# 31M NorthStar battery). My current springs are already preloaded at 2", so a longer/heavier spring with less preload should help out with the ride and keep the ride height with less preload.

Do I need a spring compressor to remove the spring from the shock assembly?

... or do I simply back off the top adjuster collar and/or lower perch until it is loose (hopefully) and remove/replace the spring?

Maybe this is a noob question, but I don't want to blow my head off or lose a limb. I have not been able to find info here or on the interwebs. I do have spring compressors if need be, but I prefer not to mark/scuff up the springs.

Thanks!

 

13"/14" are the free lengths of the springs, right? You should be able to just take a measurement on the shock and see if backing the perch up all the way would be enough to clear 13"/14". Do this with the truck jacked up at the frame and wheels off the ground so the shock is at full extension.

Also, you may want to try adjusting the perch with the spanner wrench first to see if it still moves. Do this also with the truck jacked up at the frame and wheels off the ground. Spray some penetrating oil in the threads the night before. After one or two salty winters, the adjusting perch may be seized on the threads. This happened to me.

 

Yup, 13" and 14" free lengths respectively. I'll give that a shot. I'm not too worried about seized collars, though, since I pressure wash and spray the f*ck outta them with Rust Check or Krown all winter long. They look new after 2 winters. I'll spray them anyway to avoid scoring.

Thanks, Ken!

Does anyone have a link with pics to ICON coil over assembly/disassembly?

I'm a visual learner.

 

Do you want to just swap springs or completely open up the shock, replace piston seals, etc.? Just swapping springs is simple:

1. Back off threaded perch or use a spring compressor to unload the spring. Be sure to loosen the setscrew on the perch first.

2. Lift up the lower perch (the bell-shaped one with a slot) by about 1/4" and slide it out sideways.

3. Remove spring.

 

A) Just replace the springs.

B) I didn't know that the lower perch was indexed. Awesome!!!

Thanks, man!

 

Found a thread with disassembly guide. Looks like the spring is too long to remove by backing off the threaded perch. Spring compressor most likely needed: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-2-5-c-o-non-res-rebuild-with-pics.158418/

 

Perfect!

I get to keep my body parts intact.

 

You will need a spring compressor my friend and be careful. It's not hard to do but really easy to make a mistake and get hurt.
13"/650lb: PN 158504
14"/700lb: PN 158508

 

Which spring compressor do you recommend? Figured I'd revive an old thread.

 

We use a Branick7400 Coil Compressor, works well and is very safe when used correctly.

 

Definitely going to need a spring compressor. Those are a real PITA to change!

 

The "standard" rental compressor from autozone wasn't quite big enough or strong enough to fit mine. I made it work, but I wouldn't recommend it.

I went from 13" 650's to 14" 600's and it took a lot of cranking on the compressors to get the 14's back on my Icons and getting the compressor back off was a task.

I did end up marking up the shocks and coils doing it this way. Kinda sucks.