Project GMC Canyon: Introduction and Icon Stage V Suspension
Minor grinding is required up front on the lower shock mounting tab. We used a dremel with couple of sanding drums to accomplish this task. You just need to remove enough material to allow the full droop of the suspension without the shock tab hitting the front driveshaft boot.

Up front, we are going to have to make some minor modifications to the lower shock mounting tab as described in the installation instructions. The 25% increase in suspension travel could cause the rearward lower shock tab to contact the front driveshaft boot at full extension. After grinding, you want to make sure to apply some paint to the exposed areas to prevent rust.

There is a travel limiter tab located on the back side of the shock bucket just under the control arm mounting location that needs to be cut off. We used a simple electric reciprocating saw to cut it off.

Before installing the front control arm, it is important to cut off the upper control arm travel limiter on the back side of the shock bucket. This travel limiter will cause damage to the Icon control arms if it is not removed.

 

The first part of the install is the upper control arm. We went ahead and greased the bushings up once the arm was installed, as described in the instructions.

The installation of the front suspension is very straight forward with all of the components just bolting right in. We do have to make a few cuts and some simple grinding to make sure everything clears.

 

Always torque suspension components with a torque wrench. The Icon upper control arms included new hardware to replace the stock fastener.

When installing each component of the front suspension, make sure to apply the correct amount of torque to each fastener. Icon recommends re-checking torque after a few drives. We did this and did not find that anything had come loose. It is still a good idea to go over the suspension again ever so often if you are off-roading.

 

The front reservoir brackets and included clamps make for easy and solid installation of the front shocks. The location of the shock reservoirs also makes for quick and easy adjustments to the CDCV. We found this to be very helpful when we took the truck off road.

1 comment

  1. Isaac, your Canyon Icon suspension article hit the nail on the head. And you even used the exact tire I would use. I have not seen 35 mpg on the highway but I have seen 28 mpg over 1600 miles, 4 people and camping gear, 75 mph freeway.

    After the Icon install what did your mileage do?

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