Grandpa truck needs your advice!

Hey!

Just purchased my first Tacoma. An older guy passed away and his wife sold it to me. It has 83,000 original miles, and works fine! Problem is that I need advice on making it fit a 32 year old. I don't have a lot to spend. What are some good mods? Would a 3" lift and 16" wheels help?

Thx!

Kent

 

Tint

A lift of some sort

New tires and wheels (fit the biggest without rubbing)

 

Get a cheap lift, stay with the 15s, get bigger tires (maybe 32x11.50 BFG TKO), and if you do some offroading consider a rear locker.

 

Well, what you have there is a five lug truck, so the lifts most of the guys on here (six lug 4x4 and prerunner) use will not work on your truck.

You can do spindles in the front from fabtech and an add a leaf or shackles in the back for about 3'' of lift to run 31'' tires. Thats pretty much all you will be able to do w/ this truck unless you Long travel it.

http://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/toyota-tacoma-2wd-5-lug-fabtech-3-spindle-lift-p2138.aspx

http://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/suspension-lift-kits-c13375.aspx

http://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/tacoma 5 lug-c13374.aspx

I vote long travel

http://www.chaosfab.com/96-04-Toyota-Tacoma-5-Lug-Long-Travel-Suspension-Kit-98000.html

 

Very clean looking 96!! You will loose power by putting bigger tires on it, requiring a regear. Lift + tires + wheels + whatever else will be expensive.
You might want to start by getting clear corner lights and front turn signals. Throw some LEDs in the corner lights, buy H4 replacements for your headlights. Those will make the front end look clean if its your style.

I started out with a radio from Crutchfield on my 96, then wheels, lights and so on.

 

Forgot to mention, you will also lose mpg with bigger tires. I probably wouldn't lift that truck, but its yours to mod.

Did I mention that that truck is a clean looking 96?

 

Just put some nice wheels on it and call it good.

 

X2. And welcome from nc!

 

Beautifully kept truck. Don't murder it with a bunch derp. Keep it clean and simple

 

Can we get a pic of the front? If you don't mind me asking, what kind of steal did you get on this?

 

You purchased it... that makes it YOURS Your age does not matter ...

As stated , being 2-WD and 5 lug does limit you UNLE$$ you blow your budget,but why do that ???

Price different tires out for OEM size and maybe up one BUT why change those nice wheels.???

Get comfortable with the "New Ride"..put $$$$$ away for future "Mods", THEN get creative....

 

I would get some shiny rims for it, and some more substantial tires. Not necessarily larger tires, just some mild all terrains. Perhaps an aluminum tool box as well. I think it would be a whole different truck.

Not really a fan of the cheaper lifts for the five lug trucks. Spindle lifts make the tires stick out in front, and larger tires don't really clear the rear fenderwells when the truck is loaded down. At least that's been what I've observed. If cost is a factor, stay away from lifts and oversize tires. Besides the initial cost, MPG will suffer.

My last truck was a 95 Dakota, regular cab, 2WD. With stock size tires (passenger tread, but not the super cheap, paper thin looking ones) and stock aluminum rims, I thought it looked pretty good. I upgraded the headlights and added a small set of extra driving lights to the front bumper. Helped the lighting situation tremendously, was inexpensive, and made the truck look a little tougher.

 

Just some wheels and tires, nothing radical, and let it roll!

 

This

And this

I would not even consider lifting that truck.
Check out the x runner page and steal some ideas from there.

 

Tint for sure.
Take off the badges or paint/derp them black.
Powdercoat rims black, or derp them on the cheap.























































Lower it.

 

edit: wrong thread

 

If I had that I'd lower it and colormatch everything! Get some clear corners, do a retrofit, and maybe some of these wheels. I think you'd have a nice ride then!

 

I think he has a color matched grill! I really want to know.

 

Yikes, 5 lug options are minimal and $$... I'd change my suggestion to "sell it and get a 4x4"

 

Nothing wrong with a good ole' 5-lug 2wd! If I had no need for 4wd and didn't care for off roading I'd love to have a nice lowered Tacoma!