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ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS FORD RAPTOR SVT LOWER ARM SKID PLATE SYSTEM
ICON Vehicle Dynamics Ford Raptor SVT Lower Control Arm Skid Plate System offers added protection in on or offroad situations for the factory aluminum arms. These lower control arms can dent or ding easily from smashing rocks and other offroad elements. We developed our ICON steel protective lower arm skid plates to help absorb those unexpected harsh impacts, reducing the risk of costly damage. ICON a-arm skid plates are a must-have for the avid offroader that uses their Ford Raptor in situations such as hunting, chase trucking at offroad races, running dirt roads on the farm, or driving in harsh winter conditions with loaded down roads. Our skid plates also serve to provide some bolt-on visual improvements, simply making the truck look even more offroad-capable than it already is. Raptor owners can make a sure bet that the ICON Vehicle Dynamics Lower Control Arm Skid Plate System will make their truck stand out in a crowd, all while being able to come out unscathed in the nastiest offroad conditions. Key Features of Raptor Lower Control Arm Skid Plates Easily bolts on to factory lower control arms Steel construction for strength and durability High quality powdercoat finish CNC Machined Billet inside mounting u-bolts so no drilling is required Tech Info Only works with Factory Ford Raptor SVT lower control arms Click here for more information and pricing
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AXIAL SCX10JK – ADDS ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS SUSPENSION
We have officially placed the Axial 2012 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited “SCX10JK” in the capable hands of Rebel Off Road for them to start the build. The first thing on the to do list was a proper suspension system. We have had Icon Vehicle Dynamics as one of our marketing partners for quite some time now, and have decided to run their “Jeep JK 4.5″ complete suspension system” found here. We are also working with Dylan Evans, their head engineer to further test their new compression clicker reservoir shocks on our JK, talk about some incredible shocks, we can’t wait to run these on the trail! I personally have worked with Dylan for many years on different motorsport projects, and am really excited to see these guys working together on this. I am confident that this suspension system will suit our needs and surpass our expectations. Dylan is a mastermind at tuning shock and spring combinations for the best of both worlds, day to day driving, as well as a healthy dose of off-road abuse. Take a look at this suspension system as we break down the different components, and what purpose they will serve. The new Jeep JK ICON 4.5″ Lift Suspension System consists of: Upper and lower front links Upper and lower rear links Front and rear springs Front and rear pan hard bars Front and rear pan hard brackets Front lower shock mounts Front reservoir mounts Front and rear bump stop spacers Extended sway bar links Front and rear 2.5″ body reservoir Compression Clicker Reservoir shocks Here is a shot of the entire system laid out on the Rebel shop floor.. With the Axial SCX10JK up on the rack, it is time to get to work and tear it apart.. The suspension links have a brilliant design. First off we have some race car parts with these huge heim joints, because strength is paramount in any suspension system. Second, Icon have developed a 2 stage threaded adjustment system. This means you simply place the link in place on the vehicle, then you adjust the length to desired spec, then tighten down. No more of this remove the link, adjust it, then replace it. It makes setting the caster on solid axle vehicle as easy as it gets! The links themselves are designed for maximum flex. Pictured here are stock links with Icon links. You can see that the flex for the stock arm is meant to come from flex in the bushings and the arm itself. The Icon arm, has a race spec heim on one end and a Johnny Joint style joint on the other, meaning that the link is allowed to articulate throughout its range of motion without any resistance from rubber or torsional twist from the arm. The front upper arms are designed to flex from one side and solid mount to flexible bushings in the Axle housing, these solid mounts have also been beefed up significantly The front and rear Icon springs are quite a bit taller than the stock springs, and should provide plenty of extra ground clearance, as well as the perfect rate once the vehicle is outfitted for battle The pan hard or “track” bars from Icon feature a much stronger and lighter tubular design. The ends of the Icon bars are equipped with heims or Urethane bushings which is a significant upgrade from stock. The shocks for this project are probably the most striking change from stock. It is hard to imagine running on stock shocks after seeing these 2.5″ reservoir bad boys from Icon…. The install of the suspension system goes really smooth, at least that is what the staff at Rebel makes it look like.Here is the front suspension before and after Icon links The suspension stage of this project is only the beginning, be sure to check back in the coming weeks to see this vehicle coming together. We intend to build a proper Jeep JK with the highest quality products and then take it out and hit the trails. For the history on how this vehicle came about please check out our earlier blog postings here….
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ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS AT THE 3RD ANNUAL TUNDRASTOP.COM MEET
Saturday March 17th was a cold and rainy day in Brea, CA, but if you happened to find yourself at Tundrastop.com’s 3rd annual meet you would know that the foul weather wasn’t enough to stop everyone present from having a great time. Many vendors, participants, and Tundra enthusiasts sought refuge under EZ Ups and in the ICON Vehicle Dynamics trailer to continue their effort at having a great day, rather than getting in their vehicles and leaving. This was a true testament to that old saying “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Tundrastop.com is a Toyota Tundra-focused online resource that offers everything from aftermarket parts, wheels, tires, and even OEM parts with their motto being, “For the Tundra Owner, By the Tundra Owner”. Over the past few years they have built up a dedicated following of customers and fans who are passionate about their trucks, and always on the lookout for a great product. This environment proves time and time again to be a great place for ICON to reach out to the “little guys” in order to inform vehicle owners that we produce a quality product, with a reputation of durability and performance that we stand behind. This meet was no different, as we had the pleasure to speak with many people at the event and fill them in on just why they should consider our coilovers, 2.0 aluminum body shocks, our 2.5 series shocks, our Omega Bypass Series shocks, or our upper control arms for their Tundra, Tacoma, or FJ. The Tundrastop get-together was also a chance for us to give back to this community, as we offered up a $300 credit towards the purchase of ICON products to one lucky raffle winner. Our shocks also made an appearance on the meet’s “Best in Show” pick – a stealthy looking Tundra that featured an arsenal of ICON products including our billet upper control arms, 2.5″ extended travel remote reservoir coilovers, and 2.5″ piggyback reservoir secondary front shocks. This truck certainly “talks the talk” with a look like it came straight from some sort of military blueprint, but the ICON products make sure it can “walk the walk” when it comes to offroad performance. Tundrastop 2012 was a great time for those who decided to brave the cold and the rain that day, and we are grateful for the chance to talk one-on-one with those who stopped by our booth to chat with us. We will be at more events like this throughout the year, and we are already looking forward to Tundrastop 2013, so stay tuned!
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ICON MINI STOCK RACERS ATOP THE PODIUM AT LORORS RD.2
Saturday March 10th marked the 2nd time the Lucas Oil Regional Offroad Racing Series rolled into San Bernardino, California’s Glen Helen Raceway this year, and it did not disappoint. With clear blue skies, warm temperatures, and a great track-prep job, the fans and the racers were due for a great race. The action was electric right from the get-go, with all of the classes displaying their true shortcourse nature throughout the day. When the time came for the mini stock drivers to hit the track, the action definitely heated up. Six Mini-Stock trucks showed up to do battle in heat one, with some great wheel to wheel action, some close calls, and a few moments that had the crowd on their tip-toes trying to take in all the action. When it was all over, ICON- supported driver Mike Jenkins had captured the checkers, with Cody Jeffries close behind and last year’s Mini-Stock champion, Andrea Pathiakis rounding out the top 3. As the drivers headed back to their pits for the final race of the day, some mechanical adjustments were made and some driving strategies were changed in an attempt to shake up the final finishing positions. As the Mini-Stocks headed back onto the track for their final race of the day and the green flag dropped, it was evident that these changes allowed some drivers to charge much harder than the previous race, and some door-banging, clay-slinging carnage ensued. Many of the mini-stocks received some battle scars as they exchanged positions lap after lap on Glen Helen’s technical, yet multi-lined battlefield of a race course. At the drop of the checkered flag however, it was the #99 of Mike Jenkins on top yet again, with Garrett Goorsky in pursuit, and ICON’s Andrea Pathiakis again in 3rd . With ICON-backed racers standing on top of the podium in a consistent fashion, it is clear that the ICON Vehicle Dynamics product can withstand the abuses of shortcourse racing and help to mold grassroots drivers into capable offroad talents. The results from Saturday’s race place Mike Jenkins in the 2012 championship lead with 118 points, Andrea Pathiakis in 2nd with 111, and Garrett Goorsky in 3rd with 104 points. The season is young, and the action continues to get more and more intense with each round, so don’t miss out on LORORS Round 3 at Lake Elsinore, CA on Saturday, June 9th!
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ICON AT TIERRA DEL SOL’S 50TH ANNUAL DESERT SAFARI
ICON Vehicle Dynamics started off the busy month of March attending one of the largest Jeeping events this side of the Rockies; Tierra Del Sol’s 50th Annual Desert Safari event at the Truckhaven Hills area of the North Ocotillo Wells SVRA. This half century old club meet has grown in size over the years and now boasts vendors from all over the country, visitor counts in the ten thousands, and a fully marked course for both beginners to avid jeep enthusiasts. ICON has been supporting the TDS event for a few years now, this year being the largest force of vehicles and ICON employees out there. The vehicles ranged from JK’s with 2” lifts, JK’s with Omega Bypass shocks, JK’s with Hemi’s, our ICON Ford Superduty, and the newest addition the 2011 Ford SVT Raptor. Each vehicle was seen either roving around on the trails, parked at ICON’s large booth in the vendor area, or being used as a supply vehicle at Checkpoint #3 ICON sponsored. This event proved itself that the Jeep and offroad world is alive with over 1000+ vehicles making it through checkpoint 1 on Saturdays guided Jeep run. We had a great time being able to show everyone some of our capabilities here at ICON Vehicle Dynamics, and we are extremely excited about all the new Jeep products we will be releasing over the next 2 months (with a big one debuting at the upcoming 2012 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab). With another successful trip in the books the crew at ICON is looking forward to filling almost every weekend up in the month of March & April from Jeep events, Lucas Oil Short course racing, Desert racing at The Mint 400, and even local Meet & Greet events. ICON will be out introducing new products and gearing up for events coming up such as Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Rubicon, Off-road Expo and the SEMA Show later in the year. Desert Safari 2012 was a great event and we had an amazing time out in the desert with the TDS Family…. See you next year we will definitely be there!!!
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LUCAS OIL REGIONAL SERIES AT GLEN HELEN RACEWAY MARCH 10TH
Lucas Oil Regional Series returns to Glen Helen Raceway this coming weekend March 10th and we want you all to come out and enjoy some grass roots racing. Our ICON sponsored AP Racing Andrea Pathiakis will be there fighting for another 1st place finish and we will have our full set up out for you to see some of the products ICON is producing. Feel free to stop by and ask any questions you may have or take a look at the race truck. Hope to see you there!!
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ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS ANDREA PATHIAKIS TO CONTINUE SUCCESS IN LORORS SECOND ROUND
ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS ANDREA PATHIAKIS TO CONTINUE SUCCESS IN LORORS SECOND ROUND March 5, 2012- The 2012 Lucas Oil Regional Off-Road Series season opener came and went as driver Andrea Pathiakis finished the February 18th race with a 1st place trophy in hand. This weekend, March 10th, marks the next stop on the 2nd year of the six round Southern California regional series. The ICON Vehicle Dynamics, SDHQ, DMZ sponsored female hopes to gain more points in the series and keep on top of the Mini Stock class. Pathiakis finished the inaugural LORORS season as the 2011 Mini Stock reigning champion. However for 2012, she commented that this was a brand new year and was focused on being fast and consistent; she couldn’t simply focus on being the champ. The series came off of a three month off-season where it was rumored that many other Mini Stock drivers were entering the class. The Saturday race morning confirmed those rumors as seven fellow Mini Stock trucks showed up to race against Pathiakis. “I was stoked to see more Mini Stocks, the class keeps growing and getting more hype. My true responsibility is to be an ambassador to this class so I can’t be anything but excited to see more drivers” Pathiakis said before entering into the class practice. The ICON Vehicle Dynamics pit included familiar faces from last year including Tim Duncan of DMZ Fab & Race Prep who has been a key member of the team, along with continuing crew chief Sean Kepler of APRacing and ICON. During the Mini Stock practice, the #11 driver posted the fastest lap among the seven drivers and showed the same consistency as 2011’s winning championship. Driving like a seasoned veteran, Pathiakis also lead the qualifying session for four laps until the truck rattled out an exhaust leak. Thankfully a quick turn of Tim Duncan’s wrench and the quick thinking of crew member Kevin Dardicci, the Mini Stock was prepped and ready for the main event. With the small problem in the qualifying laps, Andrea Pathiakis was pushed back from her usual pole position to starting on the outside, at the 4th spot. However as the green flag waved, Pathiakis quickly outdrove the driver in third and fellow ICON Vehicle Dynamics teammate, Mike Jenkins to begin hunting down the former short course racer and also fellow ICON teammate Jake Capriotti. Pathiakis and Capriotti had a fierce battle for more than half the race, interchanging positions and rubbing doors until Capriotti suffered mechanical problems and Pathiakis was able to take the lead after the cautionary yellow flag lap. She held that position for the remaining laps and despite losing her entire exhaust system, was able to take the checkered flag and 1st place for the 2012 season LORORS opener. The ICON Vehicle Dynamics racing team was ecstatic with Pathiakis’ performance and will be continuing to support the female driver into the rest of the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series. With only minor changes and a new exhaust, the APR team and driver will be gearing up for the second round again at Glen Helen Raceway this weekend, March 10th. Fans will once again fill the stands to watch some of the best, grassroots short course racing action and for their opportunity to get a glimpse at the Mini Stock driver. Big news also hit the stands as LORORS announced that the series will wrap up the 2012 season by combining the Arizona, Southern California, and Utah divisions into an all for nothing shootout at the famous Las Vegas Motor Speedway which will be…televised. Driver Andrea Pathiakis has set her sights on racing against out of state drivers and hopefully entering as a top notch competitor; just as last year.
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NEW FORD SVT RAPTOR ICON 3.0 PERFORMANCE SHOCK SYSTEM
ICON Vehicle Dynamics is known for its extensive research and development put into every product; the revolutionary outcome of this research is what sets ICON apart from the off-road industry standard. The Ford SVT Raptor was the first production truck, designed & built, to bridge the gap between a standard street “pickup truck” and an off-road pre-runner. ICON Vehicle Dynamics new 3.0 Performance Shock System for the SVT Raptor was rigorously tested both on- and off-road for several months to enhance the overall performance and ride quality. The engineers at ICON Vehicle Dynamics took a different approach to position sensitive performance in the front coil over shock system. Instead of bypassing a small internal piston at the cost of poor control, road holding, and cornering like a traditional internal position sensitive shock, our shock starts with a 3” main piston that has robust features such as digressive rebound and flutter stack compression. This combination produces outstanding control, great response, and unparalleled ride performance. To achieve even more control for extreme off-road use, an additional internal hydraulic system produces the extreme forces required during the last 40% of travel. These multiple stages of compression and rebound have been tuned independently to maximize overall performance of the SVT Raptor front suspension. For owners who wish to optimize the ride specific to his or her liking, the front coil-over shocks are equipped with an external, “Easy to Adjust” Compression Clicker, that is effective for the entire stroke of the shock. The Rear Shocks are a 3.0”, three tube External Bypass shock. These are far from the norm when compared to a traditional bypass shock you see on Trophy Trucks and other off-road race vehicles. Each bypass valve has a specific port design and individually equipped with a different spring rate to ensure proper performance at each zone of shock travel. These same bypass valves feature dampened valve stops for quiet and precise operation. The biggest difference in these shocks versus an industry standard bypass shock, are the “Easy-to-Adjust” knobs and the replaceable bypass tubes. The “Easy to Adjust” Clicker Knobs do not require any tools for adjustment, and can be adjusted in seconds from plush off-road performance to firm on road manners for extra control while driving the mountains or towing a trailer. A unique feature of this shock is the replaceable bypass tubes that can be swapped out during a standard rebuild if any damage were to occur, where a normal bypass shock body would need to be completely replaced, saving you hundreds of dollars. 3.0 Front Raptor Coil Over Shock Features: 3.0 OEM Replacement Remote Reservoir Compression Adjustable Front Coil Over Shocks Internal Hydraulic Bump Zone Designed for Maximum G-out Control in the Last 40% of Travel. Easy-to-Adjust High Resolution Compression Adjuster Offers Fine Tuning Adjustments For All Types of Terrains Direct Bolt in to OEM Location and Optimum Reservoir Positioning for Superb Heat Dissipation Nitrogen Charged 6063-T832 Aluminum 10” Remote Reservoirs that are Precision CNC Honed & Hard Anodized Adjustable Ride Height from 1 – 3.5” of Lift Eibach 3 5/8” ID High Quality Chrome Silicon Steel Springs that offer increased travel and performance Multi Stage Cad Plated Finish with Polished and Anodized Top Cap / Rod Ends Com 12 Teflon Lined Bearings Ensure Maximum Strength and Durability Oversized 1” Heavy Duty CNC Machined Shock Shafts Extended Droop Travel and Increased Overall Performance 3.0 Rear Raptor 3 Tube Bypass Shock Features: 3.0 OEM Replacement PiggyBack Reservoir ZETA 3 Tube Bypass Rear Shocks Easy-to-Adjust Detented Adjustment Knobs Offer Quick Adjustability without the Use of Tools High Resolution Bypass Valves Designed for Noticeable Fine Tune Adjustments in Rebound and Compression High Flow CNC Machined Welded Bypass Blocks designed to Increase Fluid Flow for Enhanced Performance & High Definition Tuning Replaceable Bypass Tubes That Can Easily Slide in to Position if you were to Dent or Damage One Direct Bolt in to OEM Location with Bypass Adjustment Knobs Easily Accessible for Tuning Adjustment Special Engineered Dampened Valve Stops for Quiet and Precise Operation without the Standard Bypass Loud “Clicking” Noise you will find with Other Brands Multi Stage Cad Plated Finish with Polished and Anodized Top Cap / Rod Ends UHMH Machined Shaft & Rod End Protective Shin Guards Standard with Every Kit
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5 MINUTES WITH… SEAN KEPLER OF ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS ON LORORRS
Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Racing Series Mini Stock Class The Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Racing Series has not only brought back grass roots racing to Southern California but also created a few brand new classes. The Mini Stock class allows racers to build and compete in small, production trucks that fans may have in their own driveway. The class races on mainly stock components but with 2.5 inch smooth body shocks, fuel cell, and some safety updates, the trucks can be converted to a fully race specific truck. The Mini Stock class has created a viral buzz throughout the off-road industry. Many trucks are already competing in the Southern California series with even more in the works. ICON Vehicle Dynamics Supports the 2012 Mini Stock Class With all of the success of last year’s Mini Stock season, title sponsor ICON Vehicle Dynamics has stepped up again to support the 2012 Mini Stock class. Located in Riverside, California, ICON has had a huge presence at the Southern California regional races. From various efforts including race support and sales information, in 2011 the ICON Ford Raptor was used as the Lucas Oil Regional Pace Vehicle; complete with ICON Vehicle Dynamics 3.0 coil over kit and rear three-tube bypass. Motorsports Manager Sean Kepler has run double duty endorsing the Mini Stock class to race fans who are not familiar with the affordability and excitement that comes from racing in the class, while also operating as the main crew chief for the #11 ICON Vehicle Dynamics Mini Stock which won the 2011 championship. In the “5 Minutes With” interview, Sean verbalizes his enthusiasm and anticipation for the upcoming 2012 Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Racing Series season. Interview with Sean Kepler SK: ICON makes aftermarket suspension lift kits for all major makes and models of off-road vehicles. We offer everything from 2.0 replacement shocks, 2.5” coil over kits, up to an 8-inch lift, four linked with coil overs and bypass’ for the front of the 2012 Ford Super Duty. Whether it’s a Ford, Toyota, Jeep, Chevy, Dodge, all of the off-road vehicles in the parking lot and pits or anyone who has a production style truck who wants to get more performance can make ICON Vehicle Dynamics their first choice. LORORS: How does that carry over into racing? SK: Through our shock development program we were able to take all of the stuff learned from years of OE applications and pre-runners and then apply that to the racing field. Since we make everything in house, we were able to make a variety of shocks quickly and cover all racing styles. LORORS: ICON has committed to being the 2012 Mini Stock class sponsor. What are your main goals for having the company participate with the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series? SK: ICON likes working with Lucas Oil and wants to see this type of grass roots racing grow. We know that for grass root racers, support is a key factor in their success. So ICON takes pride in offering contingency and special shock package pricing to help entice more racers to come race in the regional series. Our goal is to break into the racing market by having the regional series be our premiere area for proving our racing shock line. So far we have been leading the field in podiums in the Arizona and Southern California Mini Stock classes with multiple class wins and even a championship on our shocks. LORORS: What kind of opportunities for growth do you see coming from the class? SK: The Mini Stock class will help racers get accustomed to racing, prepping, and just being involved with racing in general. This will help them step up to the pro ranks or to faster, bigger vehicles down the road. LORORS: Who is ICON sponsoring in the 2012 season? What are your goals for that racer? SK: We are sponsoring Andrea Pathiakis racing and we are behind her every step of the 2012 season as she defends her championship. We are hoping she will be able to amass more wins and bring on name recognition not only for herself but for ICON Vehicle Dynamics as well. We were excited to win in the class that we were sponsoring and we were able to put together a team that was competitive enough to win. LORORS: Is there anything else you would like to add about the series? SK: I think Lucas Oil is going to propel the racing series into something similar to a larger racing series like NASCAR. With the regional grass roots racing, they will be able to mold and shape racers to help feed the larger Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series with competitive and seasoned drivers. ICON is very happy to be a part of the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series and has enjoyed bringing our employees and families to the regional events. All of the ICON employees love to come out to the races to watch their work being used to its full potential. ICON Vehicle Dynamics at 2012 Lucas Oil Regional Events The ICON Vehicle Dynamics team will be attending all of the 2012 Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Racing Series – Southern California events as the 2012 Mini Stock class sponsor. Sean Kepler and everyone with the ICON Vehicle Dynamics team are happy to answer any questions regarding their product or the Mini Stock class. Whether you are looking for some cool new suspension parts for your off-road vehicle or just stopping by, the ICON pit promises to be a popular spot to visit for fans and racers during race day. More information about ICON Vehicle Dynamics can be found on their website.
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