Aside from being one of the world’s major off-road equipment testing grounds, Barstow and its environs is the last major spot of civilization on the way to Sin City. It’s also a stone’s throw away from the Stoddard Valley OHV Area, an 83 square-mile expanse of Mojave high desert. Why is this important? Because it’s where the video above was shot of ICON‘s Dylan Evans and SDHQ‘s Louis Chamberland roaring around in their respective Ford Raptors.

Proving that work and fun are not mutually exclusive, the guys were out there to do some testing on ICON’s prototype secondary bypass shock. Designed to work with Camburg Performance‘s Dual Shock LCA kit, the ICON system adds versatility and strength to its lineup of Raptor products for dedicated off-road applications.

The 3.0 Remote Reservoir Bypass Secondary Shock System from ICON Vehicle Dynamics.

The adjustable bypass knobs are a special feature of these shocks, allowing the user to make quick changes to rebound and compression without the need for tools or removing the wheels and tires. In addition, the shocks use valve seats that inhibit the bypass clicking noise you might hear from other shocks, cutting down on NVH and giving the driver a little more peace of mind as he roars through the desert.

In any case, seeing the effect they have on the Raptors seems to justify the claims made by ICON. A decent straightaway at the 1:23 mark in the video demonstrates how well the truck can handle a quick succession of dips and crests, as the truck stays relatively stable over the undulating terrain.

For Raptor owners, the demonstration is a showcase of what they can expect from ICON‘s awesome products. For the rest of us, it’s just an excuse to watch a couple of incredible 4x4s run around the desert. Either way, the weekend can’t get here soon enough!