3rd Gen Suspension Lift - MEGA THREAD

The extended axles come in the TRD Suspension Lift kit that is added after factory at the dealership for $4k.
Which is different than the TRD Pro axles that come on the TRD Pro at factory.
The TRD-OffRoad had yet a different set of axles from factory.

Clear as mud?

 

No diff drop or longer CV axles. You should be fine as long as you have the TRD OR package (or TRD Pro) with the red axles. If you have the standard axles, you'll need to source the red axles OR add the silver axles from the TRD 3" Lift.

As for Icons, I've been running my Icon setup since October and with over 10k miles. It's seen some trails in Utah, AZ, and Nevada over the time. No issues on with leaks on my end. For the money, Icon's got my recommendation. I got a good deal on the setup.

 

Just to add a little clarity. There are 3 types of axles for the 3rd Gen. If you have the black axles, you'll need to swap out for Red or Silver...or add a diff drop to compensate for the high angles.

Black - Standard OE CV Axles that come on base 4WD models and the TRD Sport Package.

• CV Axle (Right, Front) - 43410-0C010
• CV Axle (Left, Front) - 43420-0C010

Red - These are the high articulation axles that come on both the TRD Off Road Package and the TRD Pro from the factory.

• CV Axle (Right, Front) - 43410-0C020
• CV Axle (Left, Front) - 43420-0C020

Silver - These are the extended length axles that are available for purchase or come with the Toyota TRD 3" lift

• CV Axle (Right, Front) - PT362-34310
• CV Axle (Left, Front) - PT362-34320

 

@KroppDuster nailed the response. I have the TRD OR, so I have the extended red axles already. That's more than enough for a 2"ish lift

 

Forsure thanks for the help, I have the trd OR so I’ll be good. Just wanted to make sure cause dobinsons website states we need a diff drop kit if going 2.5” or higher

 

What would happen if you put the icon diff drop on with red axles? Assuming nothing bad?

 

Doesn’t the Westcott Lift for the TRD Pro come out to a 3.6” lift overall on the Trd Red Axles?

 

Other than spending money you don’t need to, no.

 

I have the black axles (SR5, no TRD package) and a 2" suspension lift up front (RC leveling struts). I thought I had this sorted out that I would be fine with that setup. Are you saying I need the red axles with a 2" lift?

 

I'm with you on that. I don't have a spacer lift, I have the RC M1 loaded struts up front. I realize these aren't high end, but they feel as good as the Bilstein's I had on my previous truck. I'm planning to move over to Icon in the next year or two. This was just a quick fix.

Either way, you think I need the longer axles for a 2" lift?

Semper Fi!

 

I live in Ohio and there are a lot of places to offroad with varying degrees of difficulty. Pick up the On X Offroad app and check out the trails. Many are unmaintained roads that can get gnarly with spurs off of them that require purpose built rigs.

 

So which are better the Red or Silver…..

 

It's not a question of "better" but rather a question of need. They're essentially the same MSRP so pick the one the suits your lift style more.

Toyota includes extended length axles in their 3" lift. Are they needed? No, probably not. If they were, you'd bet that every aftermarket out there (King, Fox, Dob, Icon, elka, etc) would be telling you go get the silver axles to cover their a$$es...but they don't.

To be honest, in all of the vehicles that I've lifted, I have never added/needed extended length axles with a non-long travel lift kit. YMMV but that's been my 20 years of experience.

 

Given that Im on 35”s and going to be upgrading to an ICON setup very soon likely in the future to be moving up to 37’s and I don’t want to do the diff drop I know I should go with one of the CV’s (red or silver) I just dont know which best suites my application. None of the ICON setups are higher than 3.5” so Im just trying to figure out which are best for lifted off-roading via what I just described LOL..

 

It's up to you. 3.5" is pretty much the max lift you'll get right now without stepping up to a long travel kit. Let me caveat that statement by saying 3.5" is highest you can go on a suspension lift before you get into long travel kit territory. You can slap a giant 6" spacer lift from ProComp or Rough Country with a cross member drop, if that's your thing.

• From your chosen lift company...what is Icon's answer? They say the Red axles are fine for all of their non-long travel kits. They specifically call out the Red part #'s, if you don't want to do a diff drop.
• There are tons of folks here on this forum that have been running 3"+ lifts (myself included) on the Reds with no diff drop for a very long time. If I tear up a boot or bind an axle one day, then I'll replace it with whichever is cheaper and/or I can get my hands on the fastest.
• As for 35"s or 37"s...to be honest that doesn't really impact your axle decision. We're not talking a flimsy Dana 30 axle that's going to snap on you. The diameter of the axle shaft itself is the same on both axles, as far as I understand.

If you can get the Silvers, go for it. I don't know what the availability of Silvers are right now outside of the OEM 3" lift kit. If they're backordered, you might want to get your order in soon depending on your lift timing.

 

Many thanks my dude. This was very helpful for me. Preciate it. I’ll let you know what parts end up getting sourced by my local shop helping me with the build and what we end up slapping on. Cheers.

 

Simple question for you all. I've searched this site but haven't found a black and white answer yet. I'm about to install an icon stage 7 2-3.5" lift and need to order CV axles. Will either axles, the red or silver from the 3" factory lift fit on my platinum? I just want to make sure I get the right ones the first time. The reds for some reason are about $100 more than the silver so I would like to go that route if possible. thanks

 

I’m curious as well . Why not get the icon front diff drop though ?

 

If you're asking about compatibility of the CV axles with the transfer case on the Platinum, both the red or the silver should work just fine. There's no difference in spline count so any of the Toyota axles should mate up just fine with the transfer case on your truck.

 

Anyone got the hook up on a Icon stage 1 kit? cheapest I can find is is $1,257 and Ive seen people post saying they got their kit for under a grand. Im leaning toward Dobinson IMS fronts if I cant snag a deal on a icon stage 1 it. Any help is appreciated!

 

I guess I was wondering if they are plug n play, same length as well, just allows for more angle over my platinum ones. thanks for your help

 

Diff drops are a band aid style fix. If you’re gonna drop the dough on full suspension, you might as well drop the dough on doing the whole thing right with new extended CV’s. Or at least that is what I’m being informed of by numerous credible sources.

 

So the silvers are from the TRD lift kit. The reds are on TRD pro.
If you lift the truck 3” then you should go with the silvers , if you can get your hands on them. But I have not made this order myself nor have I installed them so you may wish to get advice from someone who has. Just what I’ve learned so far and what I intend to do.

 

Just so anyone who’s reading this knows. You shouldn’t just put longer axles on and call it good (not talking about the red axles from the off-road and pro since these trucks are set up to accept those). In this case with those silver extended axles from the TRD lift kit. There are other components from the kit you need to add or else you’re going to have other problems. The trd kit is essentially a mid travel kit and with other mid travel/long travel kits you need more than longer axles.

 

What are the other components you’re referring to that need to accompany the extended CV’s. Aside from the suspension pieces (IE: lift)

 

Almost everything that goes on the front end from this list. Swap in whatever you want for the shock/spring, but everything should really be added. Even the UCAs from the Trd kit allow for more droop where as manufacturers UCAs like total chaos are technically incompatible with the Trd kit (silver axles and the accompanying components) since it’s a mid travel kit.

 

I’m sure there are people who have put the extended silver Trd kit axles on with nothing else but maybe they aren’t aware of the other corrections those other components make.

 

So other than UCA’s (I’m running ICON billet’s) and the extended CV’s the only parts from toyota I’ve been told that are needed are as follows :



Then you can use any shocks struts you want. Now I have the rear air / Avs so I’ve got some other items in the rear I’ll be using also - like my Westcott rear arms for the air ride height.

Be curious to know what specifically out of that kit I really need to pair up with what I’ve already got to make this ICON suspension work…… and on this spiral goes for me. Lol

 

Icon Stage 7 with Dobinsons Rear Coils and Adjustable Track Bar

 

What did that run you including install?