Getting started

buying a 2013 reg cab tacoma next wk. had one 15 years ago but have been driving a jeep ever since. just getting started with this. first need a cap for the bed and tires. tried to find a used cap not going well. most used are off a double cab or access cab and they dont fit the reg cab very well. may have to buy new. as for tires i have a blank canvas. would like to go bigger than the 245/75 r16 but have been told not to do it. wont be happy with the 4cyl loss of power they say. im ok with the 245/75 r16 but havent looked at tires in a while and dont know whats out there. have had bfg's at and toyo open country. would like something a little more aggressive but want some mileage out of them. this will be my daily driver but want the availability to get into some mud on the weekends and during hunting season. dont really need a lift but it sure looks bad ass. with a lift comes bigger tires and loss of hp. any suggestions would be great.

 

How much snow and ice do you have to drive in? Will you only have one set of tires or are you looking for a winter and a summer set?

 

Welcome to TW! I've also come from a Jeep background.

First off, access cab caps will fit your regular cab. Both are 6' beds, only the double cab short bed (5') won't fit. Note that double cabs also come in long beds (6'), which will also fit.

Tire size increase and weight increase will both play into power loss. Look up your current tires on tirerack.com, and compare them with the tires you want to move to. You will want to keep weight increase to a minimum. I think the Toyo open country come in P-load, which is the lightest weight, though they won't be as durable as heavier tires. (All the Tacoma OEM tires except the Pro are P-load). Next lightest and the optimum for weight/durability IMO for these trucks is C-load tires.

Your really going to need to look at the tires you want, the sizes available and what weight and load they come in. Every step up in size and weight will be a step down in power. So it is a balance for what is most important to you.

My favorite multi-purpose tire is the KO2. Far better and more aggressive than the original KOs you mention. Best tire for a highway commuter and weekend off road warrior IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp5dVUol778

 

I think the problem with the canopy he is referring to is the roof line. The double cab has a much lower roof where it meets the canopy than a regular cab.

 

Will only have one set of wheels and tires. I 'am from central Ohio and for the past couple years we have had more freezing rain than snow. with that being said we have been known to get a ft or two here and there. usually from dec. to feb. (crashnburn) you've given me a lot to research. i appreciate it. i really do like the ko2 just so expensive. how many miles can a person get out of them keep in mind that i rotate every 5000. the cap issue i have is that i am being told that a cap that fits on a 6' access cab will rub the cab break light on a 6' reg cab and be slightly long at the tailgate. looking forward to making a decision on these two subjects so i can focus on other upgrades. tires and a cap are expensive on my income so i have to do my homework.

 

I would stick with the factory size. Buy a decent all terrain tire. KO2, Cooper A/T3, or something along those lines. If you're going to drive into the mountains at any point look for an all terrain with the severe snow service emblem. I think most KO2s meet the requirement along with Duratracs. Most people have large knobby tires purely for looks. For a daily driver the money would be better spent on some basic vehicle recovery equipment.

I get much amusement out of the guys with big lifted trucks with formerly knobby mud tires that are now bald from all the highway driving.

 

i've noticed that myself. they will run those mud tires til they look like slicks on a drag track. Definitely going to stick with the factory size.Looked at the ko2 today and think i have it narrowed down to them or the toyo open country in a c rated tire. KO2 did look a little more aggressive and like them a little more but the ko2 are about $300 dollars more mounted and balanced. ive got a set of toyo open country on my jeep. have about 50,000 miles on them and have a gang of tread left. if i knew i could get that kind of mileage out of the ko2 i would buy them. dont want to spend $1000 bucks on tires and only get 40'000 out of them.