ICON Vehicle Dynamics has been shipping suspension kits for the 6th gen 4Runner since late 2025, and the community has had enough seat time to know what works. If you've been holding off on suspension — waiting for the market leader to show up — the wait is over. Here's exactly how the ICON stage system breaks down for the 2025–2026 4Runner and which stage actually makes sense for how you build.
Why ICON Matters Here
For anyone who built a 5th gen 4Runner in the last decade, ICON's Stage 2 kit with billet UCAs was the consensus answer. It wasn't the cheapest option. It was the one that delivered the geometry correction, the damping performance, and the long-term reliability that justified the spend. When the 6th gen landed, builders wanted to know if ICON would do the same thing for the new platform. They did — and the kit architecture carries the same logic forward.
The foundational piece is the Delta Joint PRO, ICON's serviceable, rebuildable ball joint replacement. On the 6th gen's revised IFS geometry, going above 3 inches of lift without addressing the upper control arm changes your alignment in ways that eat tires and compromise steering feel. The Delta Joint PRO replaces the OE ball joint on the ICON UCAs, eliminates bind through full bump and droop travel, and is fully greaseable — meaning it has a real maintenance interval instead of a "replace when worn" death clock. That detail matters more on a platform this new, where the aftermarket longevity data is still being written.
Stage 1: Coilovers Only
ICON's Stage 1 for the 6th gen 4Runner gives you 1.25–3 inches of adjustable front lift via 2.5 Series coilovers with internal reservoirs. These are vehicle-specific-valved units — not a 5th gen carry-over — built for the 6th gen's weight distribution and front geometry. The rear gets 2.0 Aluminum Series internal reservoir shocks with a dual-rate rear coil setup: softer spring rate for ride comfort, firmer overload rate for loaded or off-road use. The front and rear together give you .75 inches of rear lift for a level stance.
Stage 1 does not include upper control arms. That's the boundary you need to understand. At 1.25–2.5 inches of lift, you're within the range where factory UCAs hold acceptable geometry. Push to 3 inches on Stage 1 and you're technically at the edge of where the OE upper arm geometry starts fighting you — most builders going 3 inches want UCAs in the picture. If you're planning to stay at 2 inches and run 285s, Stage 1 is a clean, complete solution. If you want 3 inches and larger tires, Stage 2 is the right build.
Stage 2: The Kit the Community Was Waiting For
Stage 2 adds ICON's billet aluminum upper control arms with the Delta Joint PRO to the Stage 1 coilover and shock package. This is the combination that unlocks the full geometry correction — corrected camber and caster, improved suspension component clearance, and the ability to run the full 3 inches of front lift without alignment angles that work against you. The billet UCAs are CNC-machined, significantly stiffer than the tubular alternative, and are the preferred option for builders who want zero flex in the front end under stress.
The Delta Joint PRO on Stage 2 changes the front end feel noticeably. Full bump and droop travel without bind means the suspension is working as designed across the full range of motion — something stock UCAs start compromising as lift height and compression angles increase. Builders who've gone through install are reporting that the front end feels more confident at speed on rough terrain because it's actually using its travel instead of binding near the limits.
ICON recommends 33-inch tires as the target size for Stages 1 and 2. Running 35s is possible but expect fender contact at full articulation on some 4WD configurations — fender trimming and potentially a wheel spacer may be required depending on your specific offset. Builders going to 35s on the 6th gen with ICON suspension are succeeding, but it's not plug-and-play at that size. Budget time for fitment work.
Stage 3 and Beyond: The Higher Build Levels
ICON runs Stage systems up to Stage 6 for 4WD 6th gen configurations and up to Stage 14 for 2WD trucks. The progression above Stage 2 adds components like rear coilovers replacing the shock-and-spring setup, extended travel rear links, and additional geometry correction hardware. These stages are for builders building a dedicated trail rig — not a lifted daily driver. If you're overlanding with real weight on board and running technical terrain regularly, the rear coilover upgrade from Stage 3 onward is worth evaluating. If you're a weekend wheeling daily driver, Stage 2 is your ceiling for practical return on investment.
ICON vs. OME MT64: The Choice You're Actually Making
The two kits most 6th gen builders end up comparing are ICON Stage 2 and the ARB Old Man Emu MT64 — which has been available longer and has more community install data at this point. Both are serious, properly engineered systems for the platform. Here's where they actually differ.
The OME MT64 is trail-tuned from the factory — valved stiff, built for articulation and absorption under load. It excels on rough terrain and holds up well when you're carrying gear weight. On-road ride quality is firm; people who daily-drive their 4Runner describe it as noticeably more truck-like than stock. The ICON Stage 2 is more balanced — the adjustable height coilovers let you dial in front lift to exactly what your setup needs, and the dual-rate rear setup manages the on-road and off-road ride compromise better. If you're wheeling three out of four weekends, OME is the purpose-built choice. If you're doing a mix of highway miles, weekend trails, and occasional longer overland trips, the ICON handles the range more gracefully.
Price-wise, both systems land in similar territory when fully spec'd — budget $2,800–3,600 depending on exact stage and retailer. ICON Stage 2 with billet UCAs sits at the upper end of that range. OME MT64 with their UCAs comes in slightly below. Neither is cheap. Both are worth the money versus a cheaper alternative you'll be replacing in three years.
Bottom Line
If you've been sitting on the 6th gen suspension decision waiting for ICON to show up: the kits are shipping, fitment is confirmed, and there's install data in the forums now. Stage 2 with billet UCAs is the recommendation for anyone going to 3 inches and planning to run 33s or push toward 35s. Stage 1 is the right move if you want genuine ICON quality at the 2-inch lift range without the UCA investment. Skip anything below these two kits if long-term performance and trail capability are the priorities.
If you're tracking part numbers, comparing prices across retailers, and building out your full suspension spec before committing — Build List Garage is the easiest way to log everything in one place and share your rig with one link. Download it free from the App Store.