Base 4cylinder lift, flares, wheels?

Hi there I'm new to the forum and could use a little direction. I am looking at purchasing a 4cylinder, base, 2wd, Access Cab Tacoma for my son. Our budget does not stretch to a PreRunner or 4wd so would like to see if Tacos are like legos!

Our goal is to make this look a bit tougher and more like a pre-runner on a budget. I see there are pretty good deals on local craigslist for Gen 3 TRD wheels/tires, and we can buy stock style flares and TRD style grills on EBay or paint grille surround factory red. Should we do a lift for these mods or can we upgrade to factory PreRunner shocks/springs or is it best to go aftermarket? Appreciate any feedback/suggestions! I am reading/searching here but most of what I am finding is upgrading PreRunners/4x4's.

Current


Look we are going for (not as lifted though)


Thanks,
Andrew

 

The suspensions between the base and the prerunner or 4WD are different. You can get lift kits for the base, but with the money you will be spending, you might as well get a prerunner at least. You won't be able to use the TRD wheels. Those are 6 lug and the base use 5 lug wheels.

 

Others with more expertise are sure to chime in here, but I believe the base tacoma uses a 5-lug wheel. So the wheels you're looking at from the 3rd gens (from a pre-runner or 4x4) use 6-lug and therefore aren't compatible. You can however switch grilles, flares, bumpers, mirrors, headlights, taillights, etc.

 

Perhaps the largest problem you face is the fact that the truck you have has 5 lug wheels and an altogether different suspension setup than the 4x4/ prerunner with 6 lugs.

Lift spindles and a SOA (spring over axle) kit are what you should start looking into.

IMO it will certainly be easier (possibly even cheaper) to just get a prerunner.

 

Exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Thank you.

 

You're welcome! What's your budget and where are you located?

 

@tacome2012 I've had a 4 banger in the past pretty much all the body/interior parts are interchangeable but as many mentioned the wheels and suspension wont swap over.

If you're still interested in a 5lug and want a lift I've got a spacer and aal for sale. I never really took the truck off road (graded forest roads) the spacer and aal worked for my needs let me know.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/taco505-fs-thread.614041/#post-20913685

 

I think it would look cool with car wheels and tires, keep it 2WD sport truck style. That doesn't seem the direction you want to go. I think a 6lug prerunner would also look good.

 

As far as wheels go those of us with 5 lug Tacomas don't get all the neat off road styles.
Wheels from Toyota Highlanders and RAV4s are usually a straight swap.
I've got a set from a RAV4 on my 2015 5 lug (and yes, I know the tires look small but I'm trying to wear them out before replacing)
Also, there is a section of the forum dedicated to 5 lug Tacomas

 

I like my 5 lugger...

 

You do what makes you happy little 5 lugger! Just be yourself and people will love you for who you are.

 

That thing is beautiful.

 

Awesome guys thank you. About $1500 budget to modify for now. Taco is $8K with 77K on the clock. Everything prerunner or 4wd with under 100k mi. in the SF Bay Area, CA is $15-20k. Crazy.

 

Those are chrome wheelskins on the wheels.
Remove those and improve the look.
235's for tires add 1" lift.
window tint, AVS weather visors, any small repairs to the motor, maintenance.
Stay in TW for very long and you'll have that $1500- spent.

Search in the 5 lug forum.
There's lots of info.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/5-lug.114/

 

I looked at a 5 lug before buying my Prerunner. If I’m not mistaken, the largest tire size without a lift is 235/75-15. Of course if you go with a lift you can go bigger. Like several have said, check out the 5 lug thread and see what some of those folks have done.

 

Love my 5 lug. I have no need for bigger, badder or 4wd. Or a pre runner poseur 4wd. It does all I need and a bit more. Kayaks, bicycles, freight, no problem. Car like handling and ride. Add intermitant wipers and fogs for safety. 235.75.15 on oe wheels work just fine, no alterations needed. And you get a real 1" of ground clearance.

 

I would like Cruise Control.

 

This is a very active site/forum! Thanks you all for the links to 5 lug world so I can dig in and read up to formulate a plan. In the end we may elect to go older/higher mileage to fit in our budget and start off 6 lugs. Will post up final direction when we get there.