ICON CDEV + CDXS
Advanced Compression Damping Technology
Two ways to take control of your suspension. One built around precise manual tuning. One engineered to adapt electronically in real time.
1. Choose How You Want to Control the Ride
ICON's advanced compression damping technologies let drivers move beyond fixed shock tuning and tailor suspension behavior to changing terrain, load, speed, and driving style. CDXS and CDEV approach that goal in two distinct ways: CDXS gives the driver direct, independent manual control of high- and low-speed compression damping; CDEV, powered by ICON Intelligent Control (IIC), electronically adjusts compression damping on the fly.
Neither is simply "above" or "below" the other. The better choice depends on how you want to interact with the suspension: hands-on tuning and repeatable settings, or intelligent electronic control that can respond continuously while you drive.
Manual control
CDXS
Dual-speed manual compression control
For drivers who want direct, repeatable control over suspension behavior without electronics.
- Independent low-speed and high-speed compression adjustment
- 10 clearly defined detents on each circuit for quick, repeatable tuning
- Low-speed tuning targets body roll, pitch, handling response, and ride feel
- High-speed tuning manages the upper limit of compression force for sharp impacts, big hits, and aggressive terrain
- Tool-free adjustment at the shock reservoir or piggyback valve
- Built on ICON's vehicle-specific 2.5 VS Series architecture across select applications
Electronic control
CDEV + IIC
Electronically controlled adaptive compression damping
For drivers who want the suspension to respond automatically as conditions change.
- Electronically controlled CDEV valve meters oil flow to regulate compression damping
- ICON Intelligent Control uses onboard G-force and gyroscope data with ICON algorithms
- Valve response in less than 40 milliseconds
- Automatic, continuous adjustment as speed, terrain, and vehicle motion change
- User-defined settings and performance profiles through the ICON app
- Application-specific hydraulic circuits maximize usable adjustment range for each vehicle
2. CDXS: Tune High-Speed and Low-Speed Compression Independently
CDXS — Compression Damping Dual Speed — is the next evolution of ICON's manually adjustable compression-damping technology. It starts with the proven low-speed adjustment concept and adds a second control for high-speed compression, giving the driver independent control over two very different kinds of suspension movement.
Low-Speed Compression
Low-speed shock velocity is associated with chassis movement: braking dive, acceleration squat, body roll, weight transfer, and the broader ride-and-handling feel of the vehicle. CDXS gives the driver 10 detented low-speed settings to fine-tune that response.
High-Speed Compression
High-speed shock velocity occurs when the suspension has to react rapidly to sharp bumps, ledges, whoops, potholes, jumps, and other sudden impacts. The CDXS high-speed control changes the upper limit of compression force the shock can generate, allowing the driver to tune how aggressively the suspension responds to those events.
- Why it matters: A single compression adjuster asks one setting to balance multiple behaviors. CDXS separates them, giving experienced drivers a much more precise tuning tool.
- Repeatability: Ten marked detents on each circuit make settings easy to record, reproduce, and change for different terrain or vehicle loads.
3. CDEV + IIC: Suspension That Adjusts While You Drive
CDEV — Compression Damping Electronic Valve — replaces manual compression adjustment with an electronically controlled valve. Paired with ICON Intelligent Control, the system can continually alter damping based on what the vehicle is doing in real time.
IIC monitors vehicle motion using G-force and gyroscope inputs, processes that data through ICON's control logic and user-selected parameters, and commands the CDEV valves accordingly. The valve can react in less than 40 milliseconds, allowing the suspension to respond to changes in terrain and vehicle dynamics without requiring the driver to stop and turn a knob.
- Automatic adjustment: Compression damping can change continuously as conditions change.
- Driver control: Use ICON's app to select profiles and customize behavior rather than relying on one fixed shock setting.
- Vehicle-specific calibration: CDEV hydraulic circuits are tailored by application to create the usable adjustment range needed for that vehicle.
- No bulky in-cab controller: System interaction is handled through ICON Intelligent Control and supported app-based settings.
4. Which Technology Fits the Way You Drive?
| Decision Point | CDXS | CDEV + IIC |
|---|---|---|
| Control style | Direct manual tuning | Electronic / adaptive control |
| Compression circuits | Independent high-speed + low-speed | Electronically variable compression |
| Adjustment method | Two external knobs | CDEV valves commanded by IIC |
| Adjustment positions | 10 detents per circuit | Infinitely variable valve control |
| Changes while driving | Driver changes settings manually | System can adjust continuously |
| Best suited for | Drivers who want precise, repeatable hands-on tuning | Drivers who want automatic adaptation with app-based setup |
| Electronics required | No | Yes — IIC module / application-specific installation |
| Core benefit | Maximum manual authority | Maximum real-time adaptability |
5. The ICON Shock Platform Behind the Technology
CDXS and CDEV are not standalone gimmicks added to generic shocks. They are integrated into ICON's application-specific performance shock and coilover platforms, where damping technology works alongside shock construction, piston design, oil capacity, heat management, and vehicle-specific valving.
- Vehicle-specific valving: ICON tunes shock behavior for the application rather than relying on one universal calibration.
- Remote or piggyback reservoirs: Increased oil volume and external reservoir surface area help manage heat and reduce performance fade during prolonged hard use.
- Digressive piston design: ICON's one-piece digressive piston architecture supports strong chassis control while maintaining ride quality and off-road compliance.
- Internal Bump Zone: On applicable ICON 2.5 VS designs, damping increases as the shock approaches full compression to add control near the end of travel.
- Premium materials: Application-dependent features include hard-anodized aluminum cylinders, 6061 CNC-machined components, large-diameter hardened chrome-plated shafts, and high-quality bearing hardware.
- Serviceable performance: ICON performance shocks equipped with these technologies are designed to be rebuildable and re-tunable, extending useful life and allowing future calibration changes.
6. Shop by Technology
Start with the technology that matches how you want to control the vehicle, then choose the application-specific shocks, coilovers, or complete suspension system engineered for your platform.
CDXS
Hands-on dual-speed compression tuning for drivers who want independent control of chassis response and sharp-impact behavior.
Shop All CDXSCDEV + IIC
Electronically controlled compression damping for drivers who want the suspension to adapt continuously while the vehicle is moving.
Shop CDEV + IIC7. Available Across Select ICON Applications
ICON has expanded CDEV and CDXS across a growing range of truck and SUV platforms. Application availability, shock size, reservoir configuration, lift range, and complete-system content vary by vehicle. Current ICON content includes applications across Toyota Tacoma and Tundra, Ford F-150, Ford Bronco and Super Duty, RAM 2500, Lexus GX550 / Toyota Land Cruiser 250, and other supported platforms.
8. Ready to Take Control?
Choose the suspension technology that matches how you drive — then find the ICON configuration engineered for your vehicle.
