DJB1's 2003 Regular Cab

That’s good to hear about the headroom and legroom. I’m 6’2”, so I’m betting I’d still be fine as well.

My pipe dream since I got this Tacoma has been to get another one that’s a regular cab 4-cylinder, swap in a D60 front and 14B rear, an Atlas 4-speed, and put it on 40s. It would be a sweet dedicated crawler to go with the XC Taco, which is still my perfect all-around ride that’s ideal for solo trips or when it’s just me and the lady. It’ll probably never happen, but I can dream, right?

 

I'm 6'1" and I fit totally fine in my single cab, I still sit one click forward (with bucket seats) with plenty of head room.

 

Location?

 

Uintas

 

Did you need to do much work for those tires to clear in the front? Any rubbing?

Hot damn your truck looks good with those MT’s in that size. Makes me want them for my next tire

 

Thank you very much, @Tacoscar-the-grouch. I’m glad I’m not the only one who loves these little utilitarian beasts.

I had already installed the high clearance front bumper and relocated the wiper reservoir when I had 235/85R16’s. I also already had SPC upper control arms before I jumped up to 255/85R16’s. Then when I got the bigger tires I just had an alignment shop center them in the wheel wells by adjusting the lower control arm cam tabs and correcting the caster with the SPC uppers. The SPC’s have camber and caster adjustments that other aftermarket UCA’s do not.

The 255’s rub the frame a bit at full lock but don’t hit anywhere else. If you want minimal mods, you could just run 235/85R16’s. They didn’t rub anywhere on my truck even when it was stock, and mounted up I don’t think they look smaller than 255’s.

235’s:


255’s:

 

Nice, I have 235/85r16s now:


Just found a set of Toyota 4.56 third members to swap in so I’m already dreaming of those 33’s...

I don’t have the front bumper, though that TG one is on my dream list, still on stock UCA’s.

By the time I need new tires I’ll probably have the bumper. Only plan on aftermarket UCA’s if I need them for some reason.

 

You’d probably clear skinny 33’s just fine, they’re only 1/2” bigger all the way around from what you already have. 1st gens have the correct wheel well shape (round), and the cab mounts are farther back, so clearing 33’s is easier than on the newer trucks. Then if you keep your lift under 2” you won’t need aftermarket UCA’s.

This is probably considered blasphemy but I think 4:56 gears will be ideal with your 235’s.

 

I think it’ll work great. About 5% lower gearing than the stock tire/gear combo so it should pull great in the hills.

Why do you say it’s blasphemy?

 

I was being facetious because it seems like every question about gearing and tire size ends up with everyone recommending 37’s, 5:29’s, a solid axle swap and an atlas transfer case.

 

I am going to pipe in. I am running 255/85R16 BFG KM3's with 4:88 gears and I feel it is almost a perfect setup.
And to add to your statement, I did do 5:29's with 37's and a SASed truck with a crawl box. Never again...

 

Nice. 4.88’s would be great but for the cost, used 4.56 is gonna be good enough for me.

It’ll feel a hell of a lot better than the 3.91 that are in there now! lol.

Can I ask what you disliked about the SAS on 37’s?

 

I did the 4:56 swap and it worked great, but when I went to the 37's I went with 5:29's.

Doing the SAS changed everything about the truck. Yes, I could rock crawl it, but its road manners were a lot different. I always regretted going from a LT pickup to an SAS truck.

 

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I also have 255’s with 4:88’s and I agree. 235’s with 4:56’s will be very similar; acceptable highway behavior with a nice bump up in off road performance.

 

I celebrated Whitey’s 119,766th mile with an oil change, new skid plate I forgot to photograph, and a quick trip to the moun’uhns (that’s how you pronounce “mountains” in Utahn).

 

Well then, you’re ready for the Devils Racetrack.

 

My truck next to my coworker's new short bed F350.

 

I still like the white one

 

Me too. Though if the F350 was a white poverty spec trim level with steel wheels, skinny tires, locking rear diff, vinyl flooring and no chrome, I'd be slightly envious.