Simple way to get better clearance?

I'm in a 2014 stock taco and I've been bottoming out recently on some of my camping trips in southern Utah. I'm not doing any crazy offroading, but I have noticed that I've been scrapping the bottom of my truck when I'm on less maintained rocky roads.

I'm interested in getting more clearance, but I don't know how much I need. Will maxing out my tire size give me any noticable difference, or will I need a full lift? I'm hoping to keep the gas mileage and the smoothness of the ride as close to the stock experience as possible. Budget is $2K max, but I'd like to spend less if possible.

Thanks!

 

What on the undercarriage are you scraping?

I'd recommend installing some skid plates and 265/75/16 (or 265/70/17) tires before lifting the truck.

 

Agree with stickyTaco. Get larger tires first, and go from there.

My front mudflaps scraped over any and every little bump before I ripped em off. If yours are still on and you don’t mind a little gravel damage, take em off/ trim them

 

Lifts don't give you clearance,only getting larger diameter tires will get you clearance

 

Spindle lifts give you mega clearance by pushing the hub downward

If you were 2wd I'd suggest them

 

Larger diameter tires are the only way to lift the truck higher. A lift allows you to fit bigger tires without them rubbing the frame or body.

A 265/75/16 or 275/70/17 depending on wheel size is as big as you can go without lifting. Or cutting away sheet metal. Remember for every inch bigger tire, you only gain 1/2" more clearance. The factory tires are 30.5" tall. A 265/75/16 is 31.5" and will give you another 1/2". Going to a 33" tire can get expensive after paying for modifications and will only gain you 1 1/4" more clearance over factory. Only 3/4" over 265's.

FWIW, the original military Jeep had tires under 31" tall. You can go an awful lot of places with a 31-32 " tire on a stock vehicle with some driving skill.

 

My 2 cents -> Do larger tires give you clearance? Yes....BUT! But what? A lift will give you more frame and front diff clearance with less fuss. In my experience, frame clearance is often all you need. Your point of minimum clearance is your rear diff. Larger tires are the only way to raise that point, but getting your frame higher with a lift is really helpful. With the frame being up and off the rocks, all you really need to focus on is where your rear diff is. You can clear most stuff because of the lift, and then you snake your rear diff through the high points. I wheel ALOT and I did a ton of fairly hard trails with 32's and a 3 inch lift. With that being said...with a set of quality skids and sliders, you can drag yourself over a whole lot of stuff.

Driving style also has a lot to do with it. Keep your tires on the highest points in the trail. Drive over the rocks, not around them