Accurate localization is critical in the internet of things (IOT), especially for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Location estimation can be affected by factors such as node density, topological diversity, and sensor coverage. As such, we propose a hybrid approach using multistage collaborative calibration for wireless sensor network localization, specifically in 3D environments. This technique integrates a Modified version of Light Gradient Boosting Model (MLGB), which is based on a regression scheme, a cooperative methodology, and a fine calibration model for collaborative fusion. These techniques were combined with quadrilateral shrunk centroid (QSC) and distance vector hop algorithms, using a multi-communication radius and an improved frog-leaping algorithm (DVMFL). In the first step, MLGB was used to correct for inhomogeneous localization estimation errors and RSSI data sparsity. As a result, the model is capable of adapting to high topological diversity (i.e., C-shape, H-shape, S-shape, and O-shape).Successive steps further improved prediction accuracy by using a screening cooperative anchor node strategy to increase node density and enhance the QSC-DVMFL fusion framework for fine position estimation. The proposed methodology was assessed in a series of validation, comparing it to other techniques. The results demonstrated a clear effectiveness and adaptability across a variety of factors that typically affect WSN localization.