New GM 2500HD and 3500HD trucks...
New GM 2500HD and 3500HD trucks have a droopy front end.
“More” of most things is good, but more suspension travel is very good—especially when it comes with the added benefit of righting a wrong. In this case, the wrong is the odd decision GM made when designing its trucks to have a distinctly nose-down attitude. Sure, that may look good on a muscle car, but on a truck? It’s just wrong.
Icon Vehicle Dynamics decided to fix the problem of the droopy nose that plagued new GM 2500HD and 3500HD trucks and add 2.5 inches of travel at the same time with its Uniball upper arm system.
Integral to the system are the A-arms. Made from 1026 DOM seamless tubing and CNC bent, these upper A-arms are all that’s needed to give the GM HDs more travel. But wait, there’s more (there’s that word again).
The Icon system that will...
The Icon system that will be installed comes with new upper A-arms and related hardware, along with reservoir-equipped shocks.
The Icon system consists of upper A-arms, but these arms come with what’s called a uniball. According to Icon, these 1-inch Teflon-lined uniballs, combined with 17-4 stainless steel taper pin adapters, increase the upper arm’s misalignment, allowing for smooth and clean wheel travel without worrying about factory ball joint bind. That means that with the 2.5-inch lift you get with the kit, the uniball enhances the suspension thanks to the fact that it allows the wheel to articulate further than the standard ball joint would allow.
Keeping this increased travel manageable is accomplished with Icon’s 2.5-inch VS series performance coilover shocks. These reservoir-equipped shocks are valved especially for the big GMs, and pairing them with the uniball gives the trucks a much better ride than stock while still promoting increased travel.
While the crew at Industrial Motoring was doing the Icon install, they also added a set of caliper covers from Complete Customs. The stock units are utilitarian to say the least, and these covers really do dress up the look of the caliper. Made from metal and not cheap plastic, these covers are affixed to the caliper itself using clips.
There was a newer 2500HD in...
There was a newer 2500HD in the parking lot, and even when taking the RBP/Nitto combination into account, there is no denying that the Icon kit raises the front end level while the stock 2500HD has a decided droop to its nose.
When the install was complete, Industrial Motoring then added a set of 24-inch RBP wheels that were shod with quality Nitto Trail Grappler A/T tires. The result is that the truck sits way higher than stock and looks a whole lot better, too.
The fact that the HD now has more travel and better handling comes as good news to many—and the fact that the whole Icon system can be added in just a few hours time is very good news. Since only the upper A-arms are replaced, this is a fairly quick job to complete and is one that most DIYers could tackle in a day (providing they have the basic tools and ability). The Industrial Motoring crew had the entire job done in about two hours and the HD was back on the road—which meant this owner could spend a lot more time out having fun with his ride. See, we told you more is better.
GM uses standard ball joints...
GM uses standard ball joints up front, but they will soon be upgraded to what Icon calls its uniball system. The first step is to raise the truck onto jackstands, remove the wheels and tires, and release the tension on the torsion bars to get the suspension system to relax.
The bracket holding the ABS...
The bracket holding the ABS line from the upper A-arm was removed.
An impact was used to remove...
An impact was used to remove the tie-rod.
A sharp rap with a single...
A sharp rap with a single jack got the tie-rod end to drop out of the spindle.
With the ball joint nut loosened,...
With the ball joint nut loosened, a swivel-socket-equipped pneumatic gun was used to remove it.
The single jack was again...
The single jack was again used to pop the ball joint out of the spindle (above). Note that a floor jack was placed beneath the assembly so it could be gently lowered down out of the way.
The stock shock was then ...
The stock shock was then removed.
It took some muscle to get...
It took some muscle to get the upper A-arm hardware to break loose. Here two open-end wrenches were used to gain the much-needed leverage.
With the hardware out, the...
With the hardware out, the upper A-arm was pulled.
Time to assemble the new Icon...
Time to assemble the new Icon A-arms. The pivot areas of the arms were prepped with high-temp lithium grease.
Next, the bushings were prepped...
Next, the bushings were prepped with a healthy coating of grease and installed on the arms.
Some more grease was used...
Some more grease was used inside the bushings.
The sleeve was inserted into...
The sleeve was inserted into the bushings.
A pair of side cutters was...
A pair of side cutters was used to remove the shims that were restricting the alignment shims.
With that, the new Icon arms...
With that, the new Icon arms were installed.
Note that the washers needed...
Note that the washers needed to be installed between the arms’ pivots and the mounts.
A few drops of thread locking...
A few drops of thread locking material were used on the bolts that hold the uniball pin in place.
The uniball pin was installed...
The uniball pin was installed on the Icon upper arm. Note that the arms are marked right and left so there is no question as to which arm goes on which side (and yes, there is a difference).
A new upper shock plate was...
A new upper shock plate was installed. This shot was for show, as thread locking material is also used on the hardware.
The Icon shock was installed...
The Icon shock was installed with the reservoir to the front and the upper mount.
So far, so good. The Icon...
So far, so good. The Icon upper A-arm assembly went in easily.
The spindle and brake assembly...
The spindle and brake assembly was then slowly lifted into place.
Note that the uniball pin...
Note that the uniball pin does not bottom out when installed (above). Some of the shaft shows even when the nut is installed and tightened. After that the tie-rod ends were reinstalled.
Note that the uniball pin...
Note that the uniball pin does not bottom out when installed (above). Some of the shaft shows even when the nut is installed and tightened. After that the tie-rod ends were reinstalled.
The Icon system went on quickly...
The Icon system went on quickly and easily. Everything fit well and with the additional action of the uniball, it will have more movement than the stock ball joint as well. A set of Complete Customs caliper covers is also part of this install. Made from metal, not plastic, the covers dress up the unsightly rotors. The covers attach to the calipers using clips that slip over the calipers.
A set of Icon reservoir-equipped...
A set of Icon reservoir-equipped shocks was installed on the rear (left) of the Chevy. Note that the reservoir is facing forward. This will ensure there is no chance of it hitting the axlehousing during full suspension compression. A set of RBP wheels and Nitto tires complete the job.
A set of Icon reservoir-equipped...
A set of Icon reservoir-equipped shocks was installed on the rear (left) of the Chevy. Note that the reservoir is facing forward. This will ensure there is no chance of it hitting the axlehousing during full suspension compression. A set of RBP wheels and Nitto tires complete the job.