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Should I Re-Gear After a Lift?
Your lift didn't change your gear ratio. Your tires did — and the fix is a number you can calculate in about ten seconds. The short version: a lift kit has no effect on gear ratio. Larger tires lower your effective final drive, which is what makes a lifted truck feel sluggish. Most builds on 33s are fine, 35s should be re-geared, and 37s and up need it. Shop Yukon Ring & Pinion Gear Sets Gear Ratio Calculator Why the Lift Gets Blamed Install a suspension system, notice the truck feels sluggish, blame the lift. It's the thing that changed. But your ring and pinion multiplies engine torque by a fixed amount, and your tire is the lever working against it. Make the lever longer and you've de-tuned the truck. Ride height had nothing to do with it. Three lift-related effects are real — and none of them are solved with gears: Unsprung weight. Heavier wheels and tires take more torque to spin up and more brake to stop. Aerodynamic drag. A 4" lift on 37s punches a much bigger hole in the air at 75 mph. Driveline angles. Lifting a solid axle changes pinion angle. That's a vibration issue, fixed with control arm geometry or a CV driveshaft. The Math First, find out what your tires already did: Effective ratio = current ratio × (old tire ÷ new tire) Factory 3.73 gears on 32s, now running 37s: 3.73 × (32 ÷ 37) = 3.23 effective. You're geared like a highway cruiser while carrying the weight and drag of an off-road build. Now find the ratio that fixes it: Target ratio = current ratio × (new tire ÷ old tire) 3.73 × (37 ÷ 32) = 4.31 → shop 4.30 or 4.56. Tire Size vs. Re-Gear Urgency Tire diameter Verdict Why Stock to 33" Optional Most trucks tolerate it. Re-gear if you tow. 34"–35" Recommended Transmission hunting gets obvious. 37" Required Especially on automatics under 4.10. 38"+ Required Budget for axle strength too. Starting points, not gospel. A 3.21-geared JK on 35s is worse off than a 4.10 Rubicon on 37s. Five Signs You Need Gears The transmission hunts. Constant shifting on mild grades, or a converter that won't lock up. You've lost top gear. Cruising one gear down from the top on the freeway. Highway RPM dropped. Sounds like a win until you realize the engine is out of its torque band. Diesel EGTs are climbing. Early warning that you're lugging the engine. Towing feels heavier. The trailer didn't change. When You Can Skip It You stayed within about one tire size of stock You have a factory off-road package with a numerically high ratio — Rubicon, Tremor, TRD Pro, ZR2 You run a manual and don't mind working the gearbox It's a dedicated low-speed trail rig relying on low range Where Gears Fit in an ICON Build We build suspension. We don't build ring and pinion sets — and we won't pretend otherwise. ICON Vehicle Dynamics and Yukon Gear & Axle are both RANDYS Worldwide brands. Same parent company, different disciplines. We handle what's between the frame and the ground. Yukon handles what's between the transmission and the wheels. Gears only Ring & Pinion Gear Sets Dana 30–60, GM 8.25 IFS–14 bolt, Ford 8.8 and 10.5, Toyota, Chrysler. Ratios from 2.73 to 5.89. Shop Gear Sets › The whole job Re-Gear & Install Kits Gears plus the bearings, shims, seals and crush sleeve the install actually needs — often a posi too. Shop Re-Gear Kits › Buying gears without the install kit is the most common way a re-gear turns into a second re-gear. Tech Note — Check Your Carrier Break Most axles use different carrier castings depending on ratio range. A Dana 44 running 3.73s won't accept 4.88s without the correct carrier for that range or a thick-cut gear set. On 37s and up, the ring and pinion may not be your weak link either. Shafts, u-joints and the housing deserve a look at the same time. Do Both at Once If You Can Suspension and gear work share real labor: driveshafts come out for both, and both end with an alignment and a speedometer recalibration. One shop visit usually beats two. If the lift is already on and the tires are already rubbing, that ship sailed — gears are still the best next move. Suspension and gearing are two halves of the same build. Shop ICON Suspension Systems Shop Yukon Gear Sets Frequently Asked Questions Does a lift kit change your gear ratio? No. A lift changes ride height and suspension geometry. Ratio changes only when you change the ring and pinion — or effectively, when you change tire diameter. What gear ratio do I need for 35-inch tires? Multiply your current ratio by (35 ÷ your original tire diameter). Most trucks going from stock to 35s land between 4.10 and 4.88. What gear ratio do I need for 37-inch tires? Same formula with 37 in place of 35. A truck leaving the factory with 3.73s on 32s needs roughly 4.31, so 4.30 or 4.56 in practice. Will re-gearing hurt my fuel economy? Usually the opposite. The correct ratio lets the transmission hold top gear and the torque converter stay locked, recovering mileage the larger tires cost you. Do I need to re-gear both axles? Yes, always as a matched pair. Mismatched front-to-rear ratios cause binding and driveline damage in four-wheel drive. Can I re-gear my truck myself? It takes a press, a dial indicator and pattern-reading experience. This is one of the few driveline jobs we'd send a capable home mechanic to a shop for.
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ICON Alloys Anza Now Available in 6x135 Gun Metal & Silver Machined
Named for the picturesque deserts of Southern California, the Anza pairs a concave profile with a deep stepped lip — a look that reads clean on the street and purposeful on the trail. The two new finishes give 6x135 truck owners more room to dial in the look: Gun Metal for an aggressive, darker face, or Silver Machined for a brighter, classic wheel appearance. Both finishes deliver corrosion resistance alongside the styling.
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New ICON Alloys Sentinel & Strat Forged Wheels
ICON Alloys launches the FORGED Series. Sentinel and Strat monoblock forged wheels in 18x9 with application-specific fitments and up to 4,000 lb load ratings.
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New! 2010-24 Toyota 4Runner & FJ Cruiser Heavy Duty XD Tie Rods
If you wheel a 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner or 2010-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser hard, you already know the weak link in the steering system: the factory tie rods. Bent and broken OE tie rods have been well documented for years, especially among Toyota owners running larger tires through rocky, technical terrain. The added leverage of big tires and the impact loads of off-road driving simply exceed what the stock components were designed to handle.
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NEW: CDXS Coilovers & Complete Suspension Systems for the 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma
ICON Vehicle Dynamics has launched its new CDXS (Compression Damping Dual Speed) shocks, coilovers, and complete suspension systems for the 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma (Gen 2 and Gen 3). CDXS gives you independent, tool-free adjustment of both high-speed and low-speed compression damping, so you can dial in your Tacoma's suspension for daily driving, towing, or aggressive off-road use — without compromise.
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Hulse Gets a New Finish: Satin Bronze
The Hulse wheel by ICON Alloys already stood out with its motorsport-inspired, aggressive concave profile. Now it stands out even more. Hulse is available in a new Satin Bronze with Gloss Black Lip finish, pairing a warm bronze face with a contrasting gloss black lip for a two-tone look that works as well on the trail as it does on the street. Hulse features twelve deep spokes, a thick lip, and oversized ring bolts, giving it a distinct, high-end appearance that sets a rig apart. It's available in 17-inch and 18-inch sizes for both 5-lug and 6-lug applications. Satin Bronze joins two existing Hulse finishes: Double Black > — an aggressive, blacked-out powder coat finish Silver Machined >— an eye-catching machined face with clear powder coat Engineered for Performance, Not Just Looks Every ICON Alloys wheel is built to the same standard as ICON's suspension systems, and Hulse is no exception. It's engineered to maximize caliper clearance and optimize wheel position for unhindered suspension travel and steering function. Backspacing and offset are strategically dialed in to reduce scrub radius, improving handling and ride quality. That makes Hulse a natural complement to an ICON Vehicle Dynamics suspension setup — form and function working together instead of against each other. Hulse Key Features Aggressive concave profile with a 12-window design Available in 17" x 8.5" and 18" x 9" wheel sizes 5-lug and 6-lug bolt patterns Satin Bronze with Gloss Black Lip, Double Black powder coat, or Silver Machined with clear powder coat finishes for corrosion resistance Application-specific dimensions optimize vehicle dynamics and tire clearance Reduced unsprung weight and rotating mass for better on- and off-road performance Aluminum alloy construction for strength suited to off-road use 2,750 lb load rating on both 5-lug and 6-lug patterns Frequently Asked Questions What finishes does the ICON Alloys Hulse wheel come in? Hulse is available in three finishes: Satin Bronze with Gloss Black Lip, Double Black powder coat, and Silver Machined with clear powder coat. What sizes is the Hulse wheel available in? Hulse comes in 17" x 8.5" and 18" x 9" sizes, fitting 5-lug and 6-lug applications. What is the load rating of the Hulse wheel? Hulse carries a 2,750 lb load rating on both 5-lug and 6-lug patterns. Does Hulse work with an ICON suspension system? Yes. Hulse's backspacing and offset are engineered to reduce scrub radius and optimize suspension travel, making it a strong match for ICON Vehicle Dynamics suspension systems. Is Hulse designed for off-road or street use? Both. Its concave profile and aluminum alloy construction are built for off-road durability while still delivering a bold, street-ready look. Shop the ICON Alloys Hulse Wheel >
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New ICON 3.0 VS Shocks & Ford Super Duty Coilover Conversion Kits (2005-2026 F250/F350)
ICON has expanded its lineup with a new Ford Super Duty coilover conversion kit and matching 3.0 VS shock line, built for 2005-2026 Ford F-250 and F-350 4WD trucks. The kits pair a larger, higher-volume shock body with ICON's manual (CDCV) or electronic (CDEV) adjustable damping valves, giving Super Duty owners a factory-style bolt-in upgrade with real-world gains in control, heat management, and ride-height flexibility.
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2026 Mid-Year New Product Recap: New Suspension, Coilovers & Tie Rods
ICON's product development team has been busy. Over the first half of 2026, we released dozens of new SKUs across our suspension, steering, and component lines for Toyota, RAM, Chevy, and GMC trucks. If you missed any of the announcements the first time around, here's a full recap - with links to the product pages, price and spec sheets, and image downloads for each. What's new from ICON in H1 2026 - at a glance: 2025 Toyota 4Runner 2WD: new 2.5 VS coilovers, shocks, and 14 stages of complete suspension systems 2025-26 RAM 1500 RHO: Billet Upper Control Arms, Rear Hydraulic Bumpstop Kit, Front Coilover Spacer Kit 2020-26 GM 2500/3500: 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 VS shock systems across 9 build stages 2011-25 Chevy-GMC 2500/3500: XD Forged Tie Rods with 27x the buckling strength of stock 2005-23 Toyota Tacoma: new CDXS dual-speed compression damping shocks and coilovers 2010-24 4Runner & 2010-14 FJ Cruiser: XD Forged Tie Rods built for big tires and hard terrain ICON 2.5 VS Suspension for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner 2WD 2025 Toyota 4Runner 2WD on ICON 2.5 VS suspension ICON now offers a full line of performance suspension components and complete systems built specifically for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner 2WD. At the core of the lineup are ICON's proven 2.5 VS coilovers and shocks, delivering 1.25 to 3 inches of lift and the same on- and off-road performance ICON is known for. Because these 2WD-specific front coilovers aren't constrained by front CV axle operating angles, they provide more front suspension travel than their 4WD counterparts. The lineup also includes 14 stages of ICON Complete Suspension Systems, combining billet or tubular upper control arms and suspension links with a range of shock and coilover performance levels. View the NPA here! > ICON Upper Control Arms & Rear Bump Stop Kits for the 2025-26 RAM 1500 RHO 2025-26 RAM 1500 RHO The RAM TRX and RHO come from the factory with seriously capable suspension and drivetrain systems, but ICON found a few areas where these trucks can still be improved. ICON Billet Upper Control Arms add on-vehicle adjustability to dial in alignment after a lift or suspension change, and pair with the high-angle, serviceable, rebuildable, patented Delta Joint Pro. The Rear Hydraulic Bumpstop Kit smooths out suspension bottoming under hard use, and the Front Coilover Spacer Kit lifts and levels the truck for a more aggressive stance and better tire fitment. Together, these components help TRX and RHO owners get even more out of an already capable truck. SHOP NOW > ICON Suspension Systems & Components for 2020-26 GM 2500/3500 Trucks 2020-26 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD on ICON suspension ICON has introduced a comprehensive line of performance suspension components and complete systems engineered specifically for 2020-2026 Chevy and GMC 2500 & 3500 trucks. The lineup is built around ICON's proven 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 VS shocks, offering up to 3.5 inches of lift and the same on- and off-road performance ICON's suspension is known for. Owners can choose from 6 stages of ICON Complete Suspension Systems built around 2.0 HD or 2.5 VS shocks, plus 3 additional stages featuring the 3.0 VS shock. SHOP NOW > ICON XD Forged Tie Rods for 2011-25 Chevy-GMC 2500/3500 Trucks ICON XD Forged Tie Rods for Chevy-GMC 2500/3500 ICON suspension upgrades let owners of 2011-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/3500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD/3500 HD trucks push the limits with longer travel, bigger tires, and higher speeds on tougher terrain -- but that kind of use can stress factory tie rods beyond what they're built for. ICON's new XD Forged Tie Rods solve that with better materials and beefier dimensions, delivering 27 times the buckling strength of the stock units. The inner tie rod and ball stud are CNC machined from 4140 chromoly at 130% the diameter of stock, paired with a 35mm metal-on-metal inner ball stud for maximum rigidity. The forged steel outer tie rod steps up to a 32mm metal-on-metal joint that's greaseable for extended service life, while keeping the same operating angle range as the stock tie rod ends. For the most hardcore off-roaders, the ICON XD Forged Tie Rod kit is recommended as part of a full steering system upgrade. SHOP NOW > ICON CDXS Coilovers & Systems for the 2005-23 Toyota Tacoma ICON CDXS shocks and coilovers for 2005-23 Toyota Tacoma ICON Vehicle Dynamics has introduced CDXS -- Compression Damping Dual Speed -- shocks, coilovers, and a complete suspension system for the 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma (Gen 2 & Gen 3). CDXS adds independent compression damping adjustability for both high-speed and low-speed shock velocity, representing the next step forward in suspension tuning. Drivers can fine-tune performance for everyday driving and dial it in separately for more aggressive scenarios. SHOP NOW > ICON XD Forged Tie Rods for 2010-24 4Runner & 2010-14 FJ Cruiser ICON XD Forged Tie Rods for Toyota 4Runner and FJ Cruiser The strength limits of factory steering tie rods on the 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner and 2010-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser are well documented, especially among owners who run big tires into big rocks. ICON's new XD Forged Tie Rods address this head-on, using better materials and beefier dimensions than the stock units to hold up to serious off-road use. SHOP NOW > That's the full mid-year recap. Explore any of these product lines on the ICON Vehicle Dynamics website, or reach out to our team with questions on fitment and build recommendations. Frequently Asked Questions How much lift does ICON's 2.5 VS suspension give a 2025 4Runner 2WD? ICON's 2.5 VS coilovers and shocks for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner 2WD deliver 1.25 to 3 inches of lift, with 14 available Complete Suspension System stages depending on desired components and performance level. What does the ICON RAM 1500 RHO upgrade kit include? The kit includes Billet Upper Control Arms with the patented Delta Joint Pro, a Rear Hydraulic Bumpstop Kit, and a Front Coilover Spacer Kit -- together improving alignment adjustability, bottom-out control, and stance. How much stronger are ICON XD Forged Tie Rods than stock? ICON XD Forged Tie Rods provide 27 times the buckling strength of factory tie rods, using CNC-machined 4140 chromoly inner components and forged steel outer tie rods sized well beyond stock dimensions. What is ICON CDXS? CDXS stands for Compression Damping Dual Speed - a shock and coilover technology that lets drivers independently adjust high-speed and low-speed compression damping, currently available for the 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma. Do ICON's new tie rods fit older 4Runner and FJ Cruiser model years? Yes. The new XD Forged Tie Rods cover the 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner and 2010-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser, addressing well-documented factory tie rod strength limits on both platforms.
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WATCH: Chevy GMC 2500/3500 HD Tie Rod Upgrade Explained | ICON XD Forged
If you’re running bigger tires, more travel, or pushing your GM HD truck off-road, your factory tie rods are a known weak point. In this video, Scott breaks down the ICON XD Forged Tie Rod Kit for 2011–2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD and GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD, and why it’s one of the most critical upgrades for serious performance builds. Built for strength, precision, and durability, these tie rods deliver 6X the buckling strength compared to stock, making them ideal for aggressive driving, overlanding, and high-speed desert use.
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