The Best Leaf Spring Upgrade for Your Toyota Tacoma: ICON's Multi Rate RXT Leaf Spring Pack Explained
If you own a Toyota Tacoma and you're serious about off-road performance, you've probably already noticed the limitations of the factory rear suspension. The stock leaf springs weren't designed for lifted builds, heavy overland setups, or the kind of terrain that Tacoma owners actually push their trucks through. That's exactly the problem ICON Vehicle Dynamics set out to solve — and the result is our Multi Rate RXT Leaf Spring Pack, our single best-selling suspension SKU of the year by gross sales.
Here's a deep dive into what makes this leaf spring pack stand out, who it's built for, and why it belongs on your Tacoma.
What Is the ICON Multi Rate RXT Leaf Spring Pack?
The ICON Multi Rate RXT Leaf Spring Pack is a direct bolt-in replacement for the factory rear leaf springs on the 2005–2023 Toyota Tacoma. It was developed specifically to complement ICON's RXT Rear Suspension System, but its benefits extend to a wide range of Tacoma builds — from lightly modified daily drivers to fully outfitted overland rigs.
Rather than simply swapping in a stiffer spring, ICON's engineers scrapped the factory design entirely and built a purpose-engineered, user-adjustable multi-rate pack from scratch.
Why the Stock Tacoma Leaf Springs Fall Short
Toyota's factory leaf springs are engineered for the broadest possible use case — a compromise between ride comfort, load capacity, and cost. For a bone-stock truck, they're adequate. But the moment you start lifting your Tacoma, adding a rooftop tent, loading a bed rack, or pushing for more droop travel on the trail, the OE springs become a limiting factor. They're too stiff in some areas, not progressive enough in others, and they offer zero flexibility for different load scenarios.
ICON identified these shortcomings during the R&D process for their RXT system and built a leaf spring that addresses every one of them.
Key Features of the ICON RXT Leaf Spring Pack
User-Adjustable Spring Rates — Three Configurations in One Kit
This is the defining feature of the ICON leaf spring pack. Every kit ships with an included additional leaf that can be exchanged or added to the pack to yield a 10% or 20% increase in spring rate. That means you're not locked into one tune — you configure the pack to match your actual truck:
- Base configuration — Ideal for lightly modified or stock-weight Tacomas seeking improved ride quality and more droop travel
- Mid configuration — Suited for trucks with moderate added weight (light bumper, spare tire, smaller accessories)
- Full configuration — Built for heavily outfitted rigs carrying bed racks, rooftop tents, gear drawers, and other significant weight
This level of user adjustability is rare in the leaf spring market and makes this pack genuinely versatile across the entire Tacoma community.
Reduced Base Spring Rate for Better Ride and More Droop Travel
The ICON pack features a slight reduction in spring rate compared to OEM. This means a noticeably smoother ride on-road and — critically — more droop travel off-road. More droop means better tire-to-ground contact over uneven terrain, which translates directly to traction and stability on the trail. When paired with compatible ICON RXT shock absorbers, the system is designed to unlock additional wheel travel without sacrificing up-travel.
Military Wrapped Front Eyelet
The front eyelet is the highest-stress point on any leaf spring. ICON addresses this with a military-style wrap at the front eyelet, dramatically improving both durability and structural strength — the kind of engineering detail that separates a premium component from a budget replacement.
Galvanized Leaf Separators
Friction between individual leaves is a primary source of both noise and premature wear in traditional leaf spring packs. ICON's galvanized leaf separators reduce inter-leaf friction, quiet the suspension, and add corrosion resistance over time — a meaningful benefit for trucks that see mud, water, or road salt.
Leaf Tip Inserts
Friction and noise at the leaf tips are addressed separately with dedicated leaf tip inserts that cushion contact points and eliminate common leaf spring squeak and harshness. The combined effect of the separators and tip inserts is a suspension that rides and sounds noticeably cleaner than stock.
ICON 1K Tested
Every ICON product must pass our "ICON 1K" validation process — rigorous real-world off-road testing to confirm tune, performance, strength, and long-term durability before release. This isn't a marketing badge; it's a development standard. You're installing a spring pack that has already proven itself under demanding conditions.
Direct Bolt-In Installation
Despite all of the engineering improvements, the ICON RXT Leaf Spring Pack installs directly into the OEM spring location — no cutting, no drilling, no custom fabrication required.
Fitment and Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | 2005–2023 Toyota Tacoma (all major trims) |
| Lift Height | 1.875"–2.625" (1.375"–2.125" for TRD Pro) |
| Max Tire Size | 33" x 11.50" |
| Compatible Shocks | 57826P, 57826CP, 59926P, 59926EP |
| Also Requires | Part #52050 (U-bolt kit) |
| Wheel Offset | 0mm aftermarket wheels recommended |
| ADAS Note | Recalibration required on 2018–2023 models |
| Price | $416.85 |
Compatible trims include: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, Limited, Trail, Nightshade, Edicion Especial, Sport, Pre Runner, and more — covering both 4WD and Pre Runner configurations.
Complete the Install: Add the ICON 8.0" U-Bolt Kit
The ICON RXT Leaf Spring Pack requires a U-bolt kit (Part #52050) to complete the installation. ICON's own 8.0" U-Bolt Kit is the purpose-matched companion piece for this upgrade, and it covers an impressively broad range of vehicles:
- 1996–2023 Toyota Tacoma
- 2000–2021 Toyota Tundra
- 2019–2023 GM 1500 Pickup
If you're investing in the ICON leaf spring pack, pair it with the ICON U-bolt kit. Using mismatched or undersized hardware undermines the performance and safety of the entire suspension upgrade. These two products are designed to work together — grab both and do the job right the first time.
Who Is This Leaf Spring Pack For?
The ICON Multi Rate RXT Leaf Spring Pack is an excellent fit for:
Overlanders and expedition builders who carry significant weight and need a spring pack that won't sag or bottom out under load — but still rides comfortably when empty.
Off-road enthusiasts who want more droop travel and better terrain-following capability without giving up daily drivability.
Lifted Tacoma owners looking to pair a proper rear spring upgrade with a front lift for a balanced, complete suspension setup.
Anyone running ICON's RXT Rear Suspension System — this leaf pack was purpose-built to unlock the full performance potential of that system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What years of Toyota Tacoma does this fit? The ICON Multi Rate RXT Leaf Spring Pack is compatible with 2005–2023 Toyota Tacoma across virtually all trim levels, including SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, Limited, Trail, Nightshade, and Edicion Especial.
How much does the ICON RXT Leaf Spring Pack lift the rear of my Tacoma? Most trims see a rear lift of 1.875" to 2.625". TRD Pro models have a slightly lower range of 1.375"–2.125" due to factory ride height differences.
Do I need to recalibrate my ADAS after installing this? Yes — if your Tacoma is a 2018 or newer model, ADAS recalibration is required after installation. This is standard for any suspension lift on modern Tacoma models with camera-based safety systems.
What makes this different from a standard add-a-leaf kit? A standard add-a-leaf kit adds a single leaf to increase spring rate — it's a simple, fixed solution. The ICON pack is a full leaf spring replacement with user-adjustable multi-rate configurations, purpose-engineered internals (separators, tip inserts, military eyelet), and a tune validated through ICON's 1K testing program. It's a fundamentally different product.
What shock absorbers are compatible with this leaf spring pack? ICON recommends shock absorbers 57826P, 57826CP, 59926P, or 59926EP for use with this pack.
Can I install this myself? The pack is a direct bolt-in to the OEM location, making it DIY-friendly for those with mechanical experience and proper tools. If your Tacoma is a 2018+ model, factor in an ADAS calibration appointment at a dealer or equipped shop as a required post-install step.
What size tires can I run? Up to 33" x 11.50" tires are supported. Aftermarket wheels with 0mm offset are recommended.
The Bottom Line
There's a reason the ICON Multi Rate RXT Leaf Spring Pack is our best-selling product of the year. It solves the real problems Tacoma owners face when they push beyond stock capability — and it does so with a level of engineering thoughtfulness that's hard to match at this price point. User-adjustable spring rates, a military-wrapped eyelet, galvanized separators, leaf tip inserts, and ICON 1K validation all in one bolt-in package for $416.85.
Pair it with the ICON 8.0" U-Bolt Kit, match it with a compatible ICON shock absorber, and you've built the foundation of a rear suspension system that will outperform stock in every situation you can throw at it.
Share on:
No comments yet. Be the first to add comment!
Leave a comment
Please note, comments must be approved before they are published.
