Project GMC Canyon: Introduction and Icon Stage V Suspension

One of the key elements to the Icon Stage V suspension system is the tubular upper control arms for the front suspension. Made out of CNC bent 1026 DOM tubing, these arms are designed to achieve better suspension performance for off-road driving, with the inclusion of additional caster built into the arm geometry. The bushings are made from polyurethane and have grease fittings for servicing. The arms will also allow greater wheel travel, thanks to the Icon developed Delta Joint.

The Delta Joint is really unique thanks to the quality engineered into the design. Most off-road suspension control arms use uniball joints to give extra suspension travel. The main drawback to using uniball joints is that they wear out fast due to complete exposure to the elements. The Delta Joint one ups uniball joints by delivering increased angularity while also limiting exposure to the elements with an enclosed body and the use of specialized coatings. The body of the ball joint features zinc plating for corrosion resistance while the pin features a carburized coating. Carburized coatings have incredible surface hardness and corrosion resistance. Icon also includes grease fittings that can be installed in to the Delta Joint for servicing.

Did we mention that this kit is very well engineered? Well, if you haven’t caught on yet, it most certainly is well engineered. Icon includes a very nice plate for mounting of the front external reservoir as well as billet machined sway bare relocation brackets. Usually we are lowering vehicle ride heights here at MotoIQ, and to correct sway bar geometry, we usually have to use shorter end links. Since we are raising the front of this truck, the sway bar has to be lowered down at the mounting points to correct the geometry and make sure the sway bar can do its job just as well as it did when it left the factory. The Icon suspension is very impressive from a quality perspective. Everything has coatings to match the intended use.