3rd Gen Tire Size/Lift help for Everyday Driver - Weekend Overlander

I know this is a highly discussed topic with multiple threads and an infinite amount of posts I've been scrolling for weeks.... so I'm sorry to create a new thread but I'm hoping to get some insight for someone that is reading up on, but not well-enough versed to make the best decision.

My current 2021 TRD Offroad is currently in the process of its build (and lets face it, always will be lol) and I'm trying to decide wheels and tires. More specifically, I'm trying to decide on what sizes to go with and what lift and suspension I should be looking at. That's where my problem comes in... this is my first time trying to build a vehicle like this with merely my own insight and with so many variables in preference, I'm hoping someone might see my goal to help steer me in the right direction.

Getting down to it - my truck, is (kind of) a daily driver. I have a dedicated work truck from my job (LEO) that I drive 90 percent of the time (going to and from work, getting kids, basic groceries on the way home, etc). My tacoma, is my... fun (10 to 12 thousand miles a year). I use it to go get groceries if it's last minute, go out to eat or date night, and most importantly (the reason I bought it) to go on trips a couple times a year out of state to camp out of. That's where the oddity comes in... it's kind of a daily driver for normal family stuff, I live in Central Florida so even if I want to go off road, it's still mostly flat and packed dirt, but I want it to be a work-horse for my trips where I take it out of state and periodically need the use of 4low in the mountains (currently Georgia, Tennessee, etc, but eventually want to take it long distance to Utah, Montana, and the likes).

My question for the experienced users is this - what set up might best fit that idea? Should I plan for two sets of wheels/tires and one lift setup? Is there an overall option that could work? Am I an idiot and don't know what I don't know? (-probably lol)

I'm thinking a 31 to 33 inch wheel (currently running stock on mine). Maybe a 2 inch lift (maybe?? Am I on the right path?). Some KO2s? since I currently run them on my work truck, an F250 pulling boats and occasionally going off road to launch them from shorelines.

What set up do you guys think I should focus on for such an odd build? I can't go full blown mud tires since it's mostly seeing highways and packed sand and rarely seeing mud, but I like the aggressive look. But I also don't need to go overboard on the lift since legit rock-crawling will be minimal and extremely rare. I'm left with the hard decision of looking at what looks cool, but doesn't work for when I need it. And what works great, but is only needed sparingly.

Someone please help!

 

2” lift with Bilstein 5100s all around and a 1.5” AAL in the rear.

if you like your wheels then run a 265/75/16 in the tire you want… if you want a bigger tire run a wheel that has 0 - +4 offset and run as big as a 285/75/16 or 285/70/17.

If you plan to run a rooftop tent do a leaf pack vs AAL.

I also live in Fl and have similar uses for the truck. Good luck!

 

As far as tires go, I'd argue to avoid LT's as they're much heavier. For a daily driver doing light/moderate off-roading on the weekends, SL tires will do just fine without sacrificing a ton of gas mileage and driving mannerisms.

 

What’s AAL?

 

I would love to switch to a 17 inch and get rid of these stock rims. Don't get me wrong, they aren't a terrible look... but they don't fit the MGM / matte black theme AT ALL haha.

I do plan on adding a diamondback and RTT. Any leaf packs worth mentioning. That's definitely a field I've never ventured down so I've been trying to soak up as much as possible.

 

Add a leaf

 

the right leaf pack depends entirely on the amount of weight you will be regularly hauling in/on the bed. Reach out to a vendor like Mike Orr at Off road warehouse or headstrong off-road. They can point you in the right direction.

 

That's a fair point, and one I've been questioning. Any particular ones you'd recommend to check out? At what point would you recommend going to a LT? I've currently got the stock wranglers on, but would like to switch to some 17s to go for a matte black rim.

 

Excellent point, thank you! I'm going to try and start weighing out my future load and run it by them!

 

I think I'm already going to take back that advice now that you posted you also want to do a RTT, diamondback cover, probably armor at some point. For a mainly stock truck with a lift, SL is fine. All that extra weight may be a little much, especially off-road. Also, with all that extra weight, an extra 80-100 pounds from LT tires wont really make a notable difference anymore.

 

You sound like us, although I drive it everyday. I went with 6112/5100 set at 1.5” lift sitting on 265/70r17 k02’s. Love the way the truck rides, felt no power loss and still getting 300+ miles to the tank. I will be doing a leaf pack eventually to replace the block in the rear.

we will use our truck for fire roads/easy trails. Go camping, haul the mountain bikes around, and general house stuff on top of DD duty. Love the way the truck looks and rides 100% would do it again.

 

Thank you sir for starting this thread with such a detailed question. I think you’ve listed what a lot of us actually use our trucks for. I’ve drooled over the long travel builds on this forum and wondered if a person should just go for it instead of doing it twice but when it comes down to it my needs are exactly what you described and the 1.5” lift that people are recommending is probably more than enough.

And cheers to matte black on mgm, although mines quite scratched up after opening back up old forest roads this fall.

 

You sound like someone that doesn't need anything and should keep it stock. Once you start experiencing problems, you should then try to address them.

 

this isn’t wrong either, It’s been almost 4 years on a stock setup for me, and I don’t have a locker. Roads I travel to camp on are hard packed except for a beach i frequent but the truck doesn’t struggle in sand in 4low at all. However I’ve been touching bump stops a lot more than normal in the front end since adding a bumper so a lift is inevitable.

 

I drool over those builds, guys on 33/35’s, kings…I have overbuilt every one of my trucks/cars in the past and didnt use them to the full potential, but I can’t leave anything stock and love to tinker with any and everything. I’m glad I took the advice of some guys here and went with a mild setup that gives me a lot of bang for the buck.

 

based on your write up OP this is the best advice IMO. throw a good set of 265/75/16 or 265/70/17 all terrains on whatever wheels you like, grab some basic recovery gear and head out on your next trip.

everyone talks about how capable these trucks are in stock form and yet as soon as someone says they are leaving the payment, the advice on lift and big tires starts.

not necessary unless you just want it... and if that's the case go for it cause its your money and your truck. if you put a RTT on it then consider adding an AAL. if you start wheeling hard then you can always mod accordingly at that time.

 

I would say to go with a set of 255/85/R16s, if you want to keep the factory wheels, and a set of quality sliders. Those two modifications will go a long way on a Tacoma.

 

2" Bilstein 5100 is the best bang for the buck. If your not adding weight to the back of the truck, a 1" block is more than fine, as this is what the OEM TRD lift consist of. If you are looking to ad weight in the rear, get an AAL or Air bags instead.

 

I am in the same boat and now finally getting ready to install my suspension lift this weekend.

Unless you have YouTube star money, my recommendation is to set a budget. Most folks build their ride overtime, but having a plan can help minimize short-sighted purchases. ID how much you want to spend and then set your do not exceed. Then prioritize your wants down to your maybes. There are a ton of great options out there, but costs can run up quickly.

Case in point, I wanted a little bigger and aggressive tire than stock but minimize impact to mpgs. I ended up going with LT265/70R17s C-Rated BFG AT KO2s. These were 1in bigger, but only increased the weight of each tire from 42lbs to 46lbs. An E-rated tire in those were 54+ lbs. Along with 17” TRD SEMA Repo wheels & matching full size spare I shelled out $2K. Really not too bad shopping for deals.

Then I wanted a ~2in lift with a better suspension to handle dirt roads/desert driving. I love Fox suspension, but not the cost associated. After tons of research, I ended up going with a Bilstein 6112 fronts & 5160 rear shocks with an 1.5 in Icon AAL. Most people who posted reviews were very happy with set up. After shelling out another $1.5K, this is where I started counting pennies. I’d like to future proof my buy and get SPC Upper Control Arms (UCAs) now and upgrade my springs from the 600ish lb front springs to 650lbs, for a winch and bumper down the road, but all that can wait until I start on that project in a year or so.

You also have to account for the forgotten costs. A good alignment from a professional alignment shop that specializes in performance and off road vehicles is worth ever penny.

If you take your time, plan research and budget accordingly, you will most likely be very happy with the results.

 

Just a suggestion a 2- 2.5 lift should be fine, and stay with 31 inch tires …you will have NO tire rubs, better mileage, more HP, then with larger tires…since you will be doing hundreds of miles in your travels..
No need for aftermarket Upper control arms, NO CMC ( cab mount chop) , NO tires rubbing, 31 inch tires will be cheaper , and it gets when worn out cheaper to replace..

Many choices of lifts …keep it simple, Bilsteins is the most popular brand for long lasting and hardly any maintenance…(NO need for rebuilding). Easy to find replacement, very reputable brand…
I did install the 6112s and 5160s but the 5100,s are great too!
Add-A-lift spring helper, will be better then a block lift, since you will be carrying heavy loads..I carried over 700 lbs of coffee and with the ICON add-a-lift…it drop about a inch…if block it will most likely would have sag even more..
Good luck, let us know when it gets done?
Aloha