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….
