2016 Taco, looking for experience on stock wheels, 285s, and around 2" lift

So, my truck is nearing 125k on the clock and I'd like to refresh the suspension, gain a little ground clearance and spend as little money as possible while improving the general ride. Oh, I will be replacing the tires and going for 285/75-R16s on stock steel wheels.

Mostly, I want a better ride when driving on some of the mountain trails. I'm trying to avoid riding in a paint mixer to get up in the mountains for camping. I also think the rear springs are a little tired and need replacing with all the weight on it. I got a camper shell at ~220 lbs, and tools gear that are always in the back are at least another ~100lbs. I don't plan on rock crawling, but I did have occasion that I wind up where I shouldn't be and put a little rock rash on the transfer case:



My plan is an OME lift with heavy duty Dakars, nitrocharger shocks (softer valving version), EGCS bushing replacement, 887 coils since I have no bumper or winch (I'll replace when I get those items). Tires will likely bee General Grabber ATX 285/75R-16 on stock steel wheels.

My questions:

1. Any issues with this combo? Got a better idea for my goals?
2. Nitrocharger shocks: My understanding is that the nitrochargers are progressive meaning they will be softer for the small bumps (like washboards) and stiffen as you get closer to bottoming out... I'm looking for a better ride on rough service roads overall, so this seems like the right choice. Am I correct?
3. Control arms: what is the likelyhood of needing to upgrade the control arms for better adjustment and clearance?
4. Cab mount chop: what is the likelyhood of needing to perform this?

Last time I went up here, it was like riding in a paint mixer.

So, my truck

 

That all tracks well to me. Good research!

You should be fine with the stock UCA at that lift height and desired tire size.

If you have the stock SR5 steel wheels you will need to look into wheel spacers to clear the UCA. Do the math on different wheel spacer sizes and try to get yourself somewhere between +12 and 0 offset.

For minor wheeling with that adjusted offset through the wheel spacers (use hub centric style only), you will likely avoid a CMC, but can’t rule it out. Every truck is different.

When you get the suspension work done and it’s time for the alignment ask them to push the wheel as far forward as possible with stock adjustments.

Good luck and have fun on the trail!

 

I’m running 2887 OME springs, soft nitro chargers and medium dobinsons leafs, some complain that dakars squeak. Gained about 2” of lift.

After removing sway bar, I like my set up even more now. Shocks soak up the bumps quite nicely off-road.

The only negative thing is, you will only have about 2” of downtravel with this setup. If you go too fast over speed bumps or deep potholes, you will feel your shocks top out. You can gain another inch maybe with extended travel shocks and aftermarket UCAs.

For tires I’m running 255/80/17 (33x10”), with stock mudflaps, no rubbing anywhere. I really like this tire size, lower rolling resistance, clearance of 33s and better off-road in some situations. Also can still achieve stock MPGs even being 650 pounds overweight.

Overall I really like my setup, won’t be touching it for a while. If I could go back, I would’ve gladly spent extra thousand or so to get extended travel
Shocks and aftermarket UCAs.

 

Would aftermarket UCA get the clearance or are they dimensionally close? Kinda don't want spacers and kinda don't want to buy wheels. I might have to stick with the 265/75R16s that I have now..... actually, I'd go the 255 route, but I want a more snow friendly tire like the ATX... 255s all seem to be mud tires.

 

New UCAs won’t help you avoid wheel spacers. The clearance just won’t be there for the 285s given the high positive offset on those stock wheels.

Lots of 255 options in a 17” wheel size… but I know what doesn’t help the wallet buying new wheels.

A one size up to 265/75 sounds like it is your winner for now given budget constraints.

 

The cheapest option would be to remove your sway bar and lower your tire pressure when you're running trails. Both make a substantial difference in ride quality off road. On the plus side, there are also both easily reversible for when you're back on the paved roads.

If you end up with a lift, I would still highly recommend doing both when you hit the trails. It only takes a few minutes to drop to ~15-20 psi, and a few more minutes to air back up to ~30-35 psi. Personally, I took the sway bar off and never reinstalled it, the smoother ride on road and off was worth the increase in body roll for me.

The rear springs are definitely the weak point in the stock suspension, so I'm sure you'll see improvements there. Also as @Junkhead mentioned, a 2" lift only leaves you with ~2" of down travel, which can have it's own adverse affects on ride quality.

 

Thanks for the clarification and advice. I am currently running the 265/75R16s and I do air down on the trails for the comfort it provides.

 

I might have to stick to a MT to get a 255.

Is there a MT that is good with snow?

 

I'm not sure about any M/T being good in the snow, but plenty of people do it. I avoided going that route because winter lasts 5-6 months where I'm at. As far as I know, there are two options in 255/85R16 that are not M/T's. Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx, and Mastercraft Courser CXT. I wanted the Coopers since they were supposed to be decent in the snow, but they were unavailable when I ordered, so I got the Mastercrafts. I believe the Coopers are marketed as All Terrains, and the Mastercrafts are sort of a hybrid M/T and A/T.

The Mastercrafts are ok in the snow, but not great. They have full depth siping, but not much of it and the lugs are big and blocky. I've had them for the last 2 winters and they've been fine, but I'm in 4wd and mindful of traction in corners regardless when the roads are slippery. In pure snow, I think they're alright, but not great in the really sloppy stuff, and definitely not great on ice.

There might be more options out now, been awhile since I looked. Here's the thread talking about that specific tire size. The thread is specific to the TRD Offroad wheels working with that tire size due to their offset, but it appears that SR5 wheels work as well.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-and-suspension.491079/page-130#post-23191618

I believe there are more tire options for 17" wheels, or 255/80R17's, which is effectively the same size tire (33"x10") as the 255/85R16. I'm planning to upgrade to 17" wheels in the future for better tire options in 255/80R17, then I might run 265/75R16 snow tires on my OEM wheels for winter.

 

I looked at those tires.... they look to have similar siping as the some of the MTs.

Thanks for the input. If I buy wheels, is there a cheap option to get backspacing?

 

If you're talking backspacing for 255/85R16's, I believe the stock Offroad and SR5 wheels are both 16x7 +25, or 5" backspacing.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-specs.30754/

Could look for similar wheels or buy some used takeoffs on here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/wheels-tires-marketplace.146/

One note on 255/85R16's: You'd likely have to remove your front OEM mudflaps if you have them. Most people find that the tire rubs them.

 

Surprisingly, my pizza cutters do not rub my flaps. Even at full stuff.

 

Nice, I actually never even checked mine, just removed them before the tires went on. I ended up getting some Rokblokz because they have a cutout for the cab mount specifically to help clear bigger tires.

 

My flaps were made from tractor trailer flaps. Might have to make a new mounting system.