What happens when ICON engineer & co‑founder Dylan Evans sets up the Lexus GX 550 and 6th Generation Toyota 4Runner up on the lifts and pits them side by side? In this breakdown, Dylan looks at the shared body-on-frame architecture, then reveals how each vehicle diverges in design, suspension tuning, performance, and purpose. Find out some of the ways where the GX and...
Protect What Matters Most: ICON Skid Plates for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner ICON Vehicle Dynamics introduces our all-new Skid Plates, purpose-built to defend your 2025 Toyota 4Runner’s most critical underbody components from trail damage and debris. In this video, ICON's Scott Spiva gives you a complete walkthrough of these premium upgrades, highlighting how...
The keys to properly using a dial indicator are precision and patience. The payoff is a long-lasting driveline. The dial indicator is one of those specialized tools that has an intimidating reputation, but as with many things, understanding the components of the tool and how they work is half the game. A dial indicator typically measures the backlash of a ring and pinion gear. It can also be...
Lunchbox lockers provide reliable 100% lock-up traction at a low cost. The simplicity and ingenuity living within the Spartan Locker makes it better than conventional lunchbox lockers. The Spartan Locker’s patent-pending design replaces the spider gears in a standard carrier case without using the thrust washers, but the unit’s most revolutionary attribute is its spring-and-pin design. This...
Gear break-in is a crucial process that involves controlled heat cycling of the gear set to properly season and harden the contact surfaces as well as to polish and establish the final contact pattern on the gear face. It is essentially a series of test drives that play a vital role in ensuring the long-term durability and optimal performance of the gears. Neglecting or improperly conducting...
Yukon Gear & Axle is the first-and-only re-gear solution for 2012-and-up Ram 1500s. Until this kit was developed owners who were considering or had already pulled the trigger on a big-tire upgrade, had no re-gear options. These Yukon Gear & Axle re-gear kits are the first to address the OEM C215 front differential which features a problematic one-piece carrier/ring gear assembly. The...
Before proceeding with your drivetrain project, it is essential to check your shipment to ensure that everything is in order. Conducting a thorough inspection helps identify any potential issues, verify the contents, and address any discrepancies or damage. As always, check the contents against the packing slip or order. Review the packing slip, invoice, or order confirmation to ensure all...
A carrier break is the point where the numeric increase in gear ratio necessitates a new/different carrier be used. The act of increasing the numerical ratio of a gear set results in the diameter of the pinion gear becoming smaller. To maintain proper contact, the thickness of the ring gear must be increased. The point at which thickening is no longer viable is known as the Carrier Break,...
This edition of Tales From The Tech Line illustrates what happens when someone sets their grinder to overkill. The fiasco starts with a Toyota Land Cruiser moving up to a 4.56:1 gear that requires a little extra installation effort. That’s right your TLC will need some TLC if you plan to run a 4.56 or deeper gear set. The catch? The Land Cruiser diff sports semi float axles that use C-clips...
First and foremost, knurled ball joints are a last resort not a first or better option. They are only to be used on suspensions that have knuckle bores and/or housing end forgings that are so worn they can no longer properly accept a smooth-body ball joint. A knurled ball joint has grooves machined into its body that serve to fatten the body, allowing the unit to press into an enlarged...
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