ICON Stage 1 vs Stage 2 vs Stage 3: Which Suspension Kit Do You Actually Need?

If you've got a Tacoma, 4Runner, FJ or GX and you mostly drive pavement and graded dirt with a moderate load, ICON's Stage 1 is probably all you need. It swaps the shocks front and rear and gives you adjustable front lift. Stage 2 or 3 starts to make sense when you need more front wheel travel, a proper alignment at full lift, or a rear end that can deal with real weight. The thing to know going in is that what each stage adds is different on every platform.

That last bit trips up a lot of people. "Stage 2" on a 2005–2023 Tacoma isn't the same box of parts as "Stage 2" on a 2010–2024 4Runner. So before anybody starts comparing prices, we'd rather walk through what's actually in the box for the Toyotas we see most, and how we'd figure out which rung of the ladder your build needs.

How ICON's stages work

ICON Vehicle Dynamics sells its suspension as numbered stages. Each one is a complete bolt-on system for one specific vehicle, and each step up adds or upgrades parts over the one below it. Stage 1 is where you get in. Higher stages (and on many Toyotas ICON goes well past Stage 3) pile on more travel, bigger or remote-reservoir shocks, control arms, rear links and eventually adjustable damping.

Because the numbers are vehicle-specific, we always tell people to read the parts list for their exact year and model instead of assuming Stage 2 means the same thing from truck to truck.

What's in each stage, by platform

2005–2023 Toyota Tacoma (2nd and 3rd gen)

Stage 1 (ICON K53001) gets you vehicle-specific 2.5 Series front coilovers (internal reservoir) with ICON coil springs and 2.0 Aluminum Series rear shocks. Front lift adjusts from 0–3.5" on 2005–2015 trucks and 0–2.75" on 2016–2023. The rear shocks that come with it are compatible with 0–2" of rear lift, but Stage 1 doesn't lift the rear by itself. ICON's official notes say this system will not fit a 2WD Tacoma with 5 wheel lug studs, and that 2017–2023 Tacoma TRD Pro models have a front lift height range of 0–1.25" over stock.

Stage 2 (ICON K53002) keeps that front, moves you to remote-reservoir 2.0 rear shocks, and adds a rear Add-A-Leaf. According to ICON, the Add-A-Leaf replaces the factory overload leaves, drops the rear spring rate by roughly 10% for a softer ride, and adds about 1.5" of rear lift. There are no upper control arms yet at this stage.

Stage 3 (ICON K53003T with tubular arms, or K53003 with billet) is where it changes. You switch to extended-travel 2.5 front coilovers and pick up ICON upper control arms (tubular or billet) with the Delta Joint, along with the Add-A-Leaf and remote-reservoir rear shocks. ICON says the extended-travel coilovers add front droop when they're paired with their UCAs, and the arms fix front-end geometry with added caster.

2010–2024 Toyota 4Runner and 2010–2014 FJ Cruiser

Stage 1 (ICON K53061) is 2.5 Series front coilovers adjustable from 0–3.5" of lift, matched 2.0 Aluminum Series rear shocks, and a pair of rear coil springs with about 2" of lift. ICON calls it their entry-level system for this platform.

The 4Runner gets upper control arms at Stage 2, which is a step sooner than the older Tacoma. That's extended-travel front coilovers paired with tubular or billet UCAs and the Delta Joint, for more front droop and better alignment geometry at lift height. Stage 3 adds ICON rear lower links. On the tubular system (K53063T) those are tubular steel links that ICON says are stronger than the OE units, use a multi-durometer bushing, and can be adjusted for pinion angle. The billet Stage 3 system (K53063) uses billet aluminum adjustable rear lower links instead.

The 2003–2009 4Runner and 2007–2009 FJ Cruiser have their own ICON systems with a similar ladder (Stage 2 there includes UCAs too). Check the listing for your year.

2024+ Toyota Tacoma (4th gen)

On the new Tacoma, Stage 1 (ICON K53291) is 2.5 Series front coilovers with 1.25–3" of front lift, front differential drop brackets that ICON says help prevent CV bind, polyurethane diff bushings that limit differential movement under load, and 2.0 internal-reservoir rear shocks. ICON configures that complete system for 4WD and includes the front differential drop (part 55160); a 2WD truck does not need the drop kit. Official notes also say it is not compatible with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and will not fit Tacoma submodels with rear leaf springs. Stage 2 adds ICON upper control arms, tubular or billet, with the rebuildable Delta Joint PRO, and triple-rate rear coil springs are an option on Stage 2 and up. Stage 3 builds on that and steps up to remote-reservoir rear shocks for better cooling. Confirm the full parts list before ordering.

Lexus GX460 / GX470

The GX goes about like its 4Runner cousins, with coilovers and rear shocks at Stage 1 and upper control arms coming in at Stage 2. Exact contents vary by generation, so match your model year before comparing.

When Stage 1 is plenty

We'd point you at Stage 1 if the truck's a daily driver that sees forest roads, two-track and the odd rocky trail, and you're running stock-size or modestly bigger tires. ICON lists 33x11.50 as the recommended aftermarket size on these Tacoma and 4Runner systems, and anything bigger may need trimming. Going from factory shocks to tuned coilovers is usually the single biggest improvement on the whole ladder, so you get a lot of ride quality and control for the money. It's a good fit if you're happy with a modest front lift and the factory upper arms.

When Stage 2 or 3 is worth it

The biggest reason is running near the top of the lift range. Up there, factory upper control arms and ball joints run out of angle, and ICON's UCAs fix the geometry and add caster so the truck tracks straight and aligns right at that height.

Front wheel travel is another. On Toyota IFS, ICON's extended-travel coilovers are designed to work with their UCAs, so if you want more droop to keep tires planted in ruts and off-camber climbs, you're having a Stage 2 or 3 conversation depending on the platform. If you drive a lot of washboard or long dirt miles, remote-reservoir rear shocks hold more oil and get rid of heat better, so they stay consistent on long corrugated roads. And if you've changed the rear or plan to, Stage 3's adjustable lower links on a 4Runner help dial in pinion angle after lift, while on a 2005–2023 Tacoma Stage 2 is where the rear finally gets lifted.

Weight is the overlander's catch

A loaded overland rig isn't a weekend trail truck. Drawers, a fridge, water, a bed rack, a rooftop tent and recovery gear can add hundreds of pounds, and most of it ends up over the rear axle.

That matters for the older Tacoma especially, because Stage 2's Add-A-Leaf softens the rear (ICON says about a 10% lower rate). On a lighter truck that's great for ride quality. If you carry a heavy bed setup all the time, though, talk to us about rear spring options before you order. We'd also weigh the truck loaded, not empty, so the springs match how you really travel. More travel won't fix springs that are too soft, either. If it sags under load, start with the springs, not a bigger stage number.

Our honest take

Most people would be better off with a well-chosen Stage 1 and good tires than with a Stage 3 sized for a rig they don't have. Buy for the truck you'll actually be driving the next couple of years, meaning how loaded it is, how fast you go on dirt and how much lift you really want. That said, if you already know you'll want UCAs eventually, it's often simpler to buy the stage that includes them now than to piece them in later.

Browse the full ICON Vehicle Dynamics collection, or start with our ICON Toyota suspension collection. GX owners can start with ICON suspension for Lexus.

Shop ICON stages for the 2005-2023 Tacoma

• ICON Stage 1 suspension, 2005-2023 Tacoma
• ICON Stage 2 suspension, 2005-2023 Tacoma
• ICON Stage 3 suspension with tubular UCA, 2005-2023 Tacoma
• ICON Stage 3 suspension with billet UCA, 2005-2023 Tacoma

Check fitment for your year, cab and bed on each product page, or email info@ventureoverlandcompany.com and we'll confirm.

FAQ

Can I start with Stage 1 and upgrade later?

Often, yes, and a lot of people go coilovers and rear shocks first, then arms later. Just know some higher stages use different extended-travel front coilovers than Stage 1, so the upgrade might mean swapping more than the arms. We'd put the parts lists side by side before planning it that way.

Do I need an alignment after installing an ICON system?

Yes. Whenever ride height or control arms change, get a professional alignment. ICON's upper control arms are made to help you get a proper alignment at lifted height.

Will Stage 1 lift the rear of my truck?

Depends on the truck. On a 2010–2024 4Runner it comes with rear coil springs and about 2" of lift. On a 2005–2023 Tacoma it only replaces the rear shocks, and the Add-A-Leaf that lifts the rear shows up at Stage 2.

Need help picking a stage?

Email us at info@ventureoverlandcompany.com with your year, make and model, current lift and tire size, and roughly how much gear you haul. We'll help match the ICON system to how you actually travel.