To Lift or Not to Lift

My truck is a 2013 Double Cab TRD Off Road with 35K on the clock. I'm currently running the OEM BFG Trail T/As but, will need to replace them sometime next year. The truck is my seasonal daily driver and is used to pull my 3000 lb.. boat. The truck will do a few 1500 mile road trips a year and a few 200/300 mile trips with the boat in tow. This may include going over Monteagle, that has a 4 mile 6%+ grade. That's about 1200 feet in 4 miles. I also use the truck locally on rutted dirt roads with an even greater grade.

With these variations, I haven't had any issues with the Trail T/As. The next set will be KO2s either stock or 285/75/17. I like the look of the 33s but, not sure about using them for the distant driving and towing long haul. As for more intense off road; if I need the fix, my Son has a heavily modded 87 Rock Crawler that I can tag a long in.

Thanks for your input.

 

I'd probably leave it alone and get 265/75 or 255/85 instead.

 

If you can wheel with your son's truck, and you're using it mainly to tow and travel long distances, then what would be your motivation for lifting? Just for looks? What is your desired endstate here?

 

Added ground clearance and a bigger footprint can be a lifesaver wheeling alone. Just not sure if the benefit of that is worth it with my other uses. FYI, my Son is 700 miles away so, no local help if I get stranded off road.

 

It's really going to be up to you, brother. It's all about what you use the truck for, and what you're willing to sacrifice on the road for capabilities off-road.

Like you, I roadtrip a lot when I'm stateside, so if just doesn't make sense for me currently. Maybe in the future when I have a road-trip only vehicle and then my truck separate. Then I'll also be able to make my truck more into an off-roading rig than the jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none that it is now.

I'm a numbers guy, and like to see the exact price of everything. If I were you, I'd calculate your gas prices per year both with and without a lift - using general broadstroke estimates of your annual mileage and a general average gas price. If you think it's worth that amount of money to you to have that added capability when offroading, then do it. If not, hold off.

 

I like lifted tacos, but not putting money in the lift will buy you a whole new set of tires, when you wear your new ones out... Just thinking $$.

 

Why not 265/75 or 235/85 and a small < 2 inch lift? No mods to make tires fit, alignment will be fine and you'll get a little more off-road capability without loosing too much MPG or power. And the small lift will get the rocker panels ans such a little higher. Check out this thread for a nice moderate build:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baja-tx-pro-kit-icon-aal.385619/page-5#post-11014083

 

This could be a doable option. Thanks for sharing.

 

New tires and air bags for towing. This is the most practical.

 

Full OME kit with Dakars out back for towing/hauling. Stick with 265s since you drive a lot

 

I say lower it...

 

Word

 

Does anyone know what the biggest size tire you can put on the stock '16 OR is? Without any modifications or rubbing.

 

265s

 

There's always a debate between the "looks" crowd and the "performance" crowd as to what you NEED. But there's one thing that helps BOTH sides of the isle.

Good suspension.

And one thing that jumps out at me about 4wds of recent years....They don't always look like a 4wd to us "old school" guys. They have the same stance as a 2wd....

So. IMHO, it's a good thing to make certain improvements to the stock suspension, AND WHILE YOU'RE AT IT....you can make the truck LOOK the part too.

That said, Moderation is the key. No drop bracket lifts....No WAY TOO BIG tires without gearing, etc....

There are literally hundreds of options as far as brands. Same with what each brand has to offer. And no two people seem to agree on every step of the process.

OK....What would I do based on your scenario? A lift of 2" to 2-1/2" is practical, relatively inexpensive, works well with the "platform". With wise choices, gives the truck better towing capability, will handle heavier tires a little better, gives you an option of (slightly) bigger tires, LOOKS BETTER, and adds a bit of personality to the truck. Lifts improve ground clearance....No explaination needed as to why that is a desirable quality on ANYTHING you'll ever take off road. Simply by selecting the RIGHT pieces to the puzzle, you can LIFT a truck at the same time you IMPROVE the suspension for the things you'll be doing.

There are some issues that need to be addressed if you go bigger than 265/75/r16 (or comparable 17", etc) In order to gain what ammounts to 1/2" + or - of actual ground clearance, 285's for instance rob power that is better off left alone if you're towing a lot. 265's are a good choice.

No reason at all why a truck can't be a bad ass and LOOK like a bad ass at the same time, huh?