NJ B.S. Thread

Hey Guys!

NJ Resident here looking for Taco owners! I recently purchased a 2014 TRD Sport access cab and I'd love to pick someones brain about upgrading suspension/lift/tires. I'm in the central NJ area near Summit.

Looking forward to working together.

 

Howdy! What you looking to do with the truck? That’s a good start as well as budget. Like anything else there is bottom, middle, and top shelf in suspension. Tires I think come along with personal preference mixed with personal experience. Depending on what your looking to get out of it can point you in a better direction.




































And your North Jersey

 

@Chux

Thanks Chux!

I'm looking to equip my tacoma with something suitable for some minor off road trails and beaches also I'm often traveling to VT in the winter for snowboarding so snow ready is a plus. I'd like to keep the ride as smooth (not sure of tire noise/MPG loss etc) as possible for traveling so some sort of hybrid solution would be great. I'll attach a photo of what aesthetically is my archetype. Not sure the lift or tire size/setup on this build but something along these lines would be great.

Let me know your thoughts/opinions on this setup.

Thanks!

 

First, chux is right, you’re in north jersey . Second, I’m close to you in Denville if you need help with anything. Third, you don’t want the mud terrains you’ve posted in the pic you put in your post if you want a smooth quiet ride. While they don’t have that cool lugged aggressive look, the Michelin defenders I run might be what your after.

 

@Toy4me Fair enough north jersey it is.

@Chux

thanks for being helpful!

I’ll back up a bit. I’ve got a few questions about that previous picture I uploaded. I’m guessing that trucks lifted but roughly how much? I’m a bit torn if I truly need to lift the truck to achieve my desired look. Currently the tires I’m running are 265/65r17. I’m definitely new to the truck (and tire/rim swap) game and am a bit confused as to the best next step.

I’ve read on the forums “For 2005+ Tacomas: 265/70/17, 265/75/16 or 265/65/18, depending on what size wheels you have” is the largest size you can have before a lift. I guess I’m having trouble picturing exactly what that will look like. As I’m not the wealthiest person, some second hand (black) rims and tires would be best. Perhaps you can point me to a used Facebook/craigslist post that can give me me desired look.

Once the tires are purchased I’d also like to know the best next step? Is this something I can do myself or do I take them somewhere to be balanced? Sorry total noob here

thanks

 

That truck has about 3” of lift. Generally the suspension lifts are considered/called a 3” lift. By actual measurement you may get around 2.5” of lift. It depends on your truck the measured outcome, some have caps, some have bumpers, etc.. that will be different to the same lift going on a different truck. You also have different lift companies with different springs calling their lifts 2.5-3” of lift so exact outcome will vary. Also you can get an adjustable coilover that can be set at 2” or less to no lift if your looking to upgrade suspension with minimal lift.

Are you actually looking for a “look” of the truck and minimally take it offroad so no performance in suspension needed? Are you wanting to fit the biggest tire without lift?

There’s a lot of variables to actually answer your questions

You’ll have to better clarify what you want to achieve out of changing the truck from it being stock. What do you do with the truck now (ie. Just drive it daily to work, never really leave pavement. I drive it to work but explore forestry trails sometimes. It’s my daily but looking to get into off-roading). And what are you looking to do with the truck in the future (same examples apply)

There’s always cheap steel wheels for sale, sometimes locally. You just gotta keep digging the buy/sell/trade portion of the forum. And can post in local state threads for interest in cheap steel wheels.

As far as largest tire size without lift...
I believe @Wheelspinner broke the Internet fitting 285/75/16 on his brothers truck
He might be able to post a pic to help with the visual fitment

 

@Chux Thanks for the quick reply!

I think the amount of variables and questions that still remain on my mind is what's preventing me from moving forward. I don't exactly wanna spend a bunch of $$$ and not have the performance I'm looking for alternatively spend money for no reason. I'm not looking to do rock crawling and giant puddles and what not.

I'm truly not sure how an actual "lift" will effect my desired trail intentions. I'm definitely looking to use this as a long distance vehicle (trips out west/camping) with the ability to do forestry trails and beaches/snow. Im uncertain if a lift is necessary for these activities but do enjoy the look of that lift in the previous photo. My current wheels are 265/65r17 and I couldn't even tell you if these are stock, maybe they are decent enough for what I'm looking to do, I don't have a way to cross compare that's why I'm here

you all have been super helpful thus far.

Thank you!

 

@mkowalick

These trucks are pretty competent off-road stock. I would recommend getting an idea for what it can do now, before dropping cash on a lift, might surprise you.
I have a 3rd gen on the stock suspension and wheels, it has performed well above my expectations. Granted, I am biding my time and stacking coins until I can afford a lift and new rubber.
Tons of forums on here about suspension upgrades and tires. The information is endless.
You can definitely fit larger tires without a lift, 265/75 or 275s without rubbing. Be careful when reading some of these testimonials about people stuffing 295s without a lift. Even with a lift you are going to have to permanently modify your wheel wells to fit some larger sizes. Specifically, cab mount, pinch weld and inner fender and more. Some say “no rubbing” but that means either they are lying or not flexing their suspension enough to notice.
I would spend money on recovery gear, armor and better tires, first. Then practice using them.
My thought is to beat the piss out of the stock components, find the limits, grow my off road abilities and get better at using my rig in the process. This will give you a better understanding of what you want to use your truck for, what type of terrain, and the modifications you need.

Then again...say fuck it and go full SAS and 63 leaf swap!

 

Lift only clears tires at ride height and the only thing that changes rubbing off road is cutting, change my mind.

 

QFT.

 

Was on a trip recently with a stock truck.
He ran all the trails we ran with lifts and bigger tires

 

Yeah cuz best gen.

A third gen would probably still be picking up dudes in the parking lot outside the trail.

 

Best gen

 

Damn right, had to push a Penske truck home from VA. It couldn’t handle the load of a first gen owners massive sac.

 

My turd gen can tow that penske truck