Icon Vehicle Dynamics - Stage 2 - 3 Door Prado

[tomsegers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tomsegers]

Hello All,

I did search the forum for this but did not find any information, hence the new thread.

I have a 3 door Prado (125 series - 2005 model) and will putting on a 2 inch lift kit next week. While I was happy with the OME's for my 02 Wrangler, I have heard many good things about Icon Vehicle Dynamics (IVD) and so will be getting these instead. I am going for the stage 2 (this includes upper control arms and extended travel shocks - no remote reservoirs).

I konw these were designed for the FJ Cruiser but have been told with absolute certainty they are a perfect fit for the 3 door prado. I know this is a long shot since IVD is US based and the 3 door Prado is not sold in the US Market, but was hoping somebody here has gone this route and could give me some feedback. If not on IVD specifically, then perhaps on the effect a 2 inch lift kit from another brand would have on driveability on the 3 door Prado as shorter drive shafts would mean increased drive line angles, etc. Any vibration issues? My 02 Wrangler's transmission had to be slightly dropped - is this the same case for the 3 door Prado's?

Will try to take pictures of the install and post a build up thread.

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

Tom

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Icon Vehicle Dynamics - Stage 2 - 3 Door Prado

Hi Tom, sounds good. Just for your info, we don't have the 3-door variant of the 120 in Australia (where this forums members are generally based) so you may not get too much help here. Have a look through the buildups section as there is a 3 door in there from UAE I believe. Try searching a bit more and tell us how it goes once you've done the lift!

[tomsegers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tomsegers]

Re: Icon Vehicle Dynamics - Stage 2 - 3 Door Prado

Thanks for the response Phil. As an update, I got a reply from the local dealer of Icon Vehicle Dynamics saying that it is a direct fit for the Prado so I don't foresee any problems.

Install this Saturday hopefully. Going for a stage 2 which replaces upper control arms and has extended travel shocks. Can't wait to see how she handles with the new setup. Then onto tires - was going through a 60 page thread on here yesterday - seems like Cooper ATR's are liked by most.

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Icon Vehicle Dynamics - Stage 2 - 3 Door Prado

Cooper ATR's are ok as a road tyre with a bit of off road work now and then. Many GX owners use them as nothing better fits on original (06 & earlier) GX rims. If you're after something to do weekend trips and the occasional larger trip, I'd go for Cooper ST's, Mickey Thompson ATZ's (5 or 4 rib), or the good old BFG A/T which are very popular. I guess over there in sand the ability to bulge a bit is more important than having chunky tread though. Good luck.

[tomsegers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tomsegers]

Re: Icon Vehicle Dynamics - Stage 2 - 3 Door Prado

Well I got the lift installed on the Prado last Saturday - has firmed up the ride quite a bit. Have kept the stock rubbers on and she feels much more responsive when steering (but perhaps my alignment was out of whack). I will post some pictures and measurements later. Have a few questions though that some of you may be able to answer.

1. She sits more level now as she has about 3 inches lifted up front (2 on the rear) and my stock rims are rubbing against the stabilizer bar on full lock. Anybody have the same issue? Have not yet decided if I go the spacer route or the new rims route with more backspacing.

2. When at half a turn and hitting full throttle in first gear, she buckles. Had never paid attention to this in stock form so don't know if I had the same but I would have probably noticed if that was the case so am assuming it's because of the lift. As the 3 doors have shorter wheelbases, the angles will be off by more than compared to a vehicle with a longer wheelbase but was curious if anybody had the same issue with a 5 door Prado.

3. During the install, there was suddenly smoke that appeared - not much but enough for me to open my eyes quite wide and start looking for a fire extinguisher. This was when the upper control arms were being removed. When asked, the mechanic answered that it was from the axle boot. Is that normal? Anybody had that before? If so, what was the smoke? I did notice he removed the battery after that but unsure if it was related.

4. At some compression in the front (hard to tell how much - all I know is it happens when I go over bumps fast), there is a rubbing noise, sounds like metal against metal. I still have the stock skid plate on the front which we had to bend a little so am wondering if it still could be that. Anybody had similar issues with their stock skid plate?

That's about it for now. Even with the stock tyres, she looks sweet and while I hated going over bumps and curbs before as the rear would bottom out quite frequently, I look forward to hitting them now!

Cheers,

Tom

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Icon Vehicle Dynamics - Stage 2 - 3 Door Prado

Well I got the lift installed on the Prado last Saturday -
3. During the install, there was suddenly smoke that appeared - not much but enough for me to open my eyes quite wide and start looking for a fire extinguisher. This was when the upper control arms were being removed. When asked, the mechanic answered that it was from the axle boot. Is that normal? Anybody had that before? If so, what was the smoke? I did notice he removed the battery after that but unsure if it was related.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom,

I think its a pretty safe bet those 2 things happening were connected.

CV boots dont smoke, they know its bad for them :wink: