DCLB wheelbase / breakover angle / lift & tire compensation

Hi everybody, new here forgive me if I’m being redundant but couldn’t find a similar discussion...

Thinking of getting into a newer truck from my 2005 Access Cab OR daily driver for work and play,... and am drawn to the DCLB model for the typical reasons of hauling, camping, sleeping... I work and recreate off highway A LOT.

But...kinda scared of the 140” wheelbase for the rough roads and double track I’m on a lot here in western, CO, which can be steep and rough and rocky, though usually not *too* tight, etc... that is to say I have not encountered many trails that seem like turning radius is the problem, but there are many with big chunky rocks, deep ruts, depressions, steep pitches / sharp dips, etc... I mainly don’t want to be dragging my rear end, getting high-centered, hung up, etc.

So I started researching how to get an equivalent breakover angle on 140.6” DCLB wheelbase (vs. standard 127.4”) with a higher clearance (i.e. larger tires), and found this calculator:
https://www.vcalc.com/wiki/KurtHeckman/Breakover+angle

By this logic, if I input the standard ground clearance of a stock 2018 TRD of 9.4” and 127.4” wheelbase we get 16.4 degrees.

And stock DCLB with 140.6 wheelbase, same ground clearance (9.4”) yields 15.4 degrees

So increasing tire size from 265/70/16 (30.61” diameter) up to a 285/70/17 (32.8”) would yield about 1” of additional ground clearance (from ~2” diameter increase).

So plugging in 10.4” clearance with 140.6” wheelbase yields ~16.9 degree breakover angle.

So in theory: I’m not giving up much in terms of surmounting rough trails and obstacles if I get just a ~2” lift and ~2” tire size increase??

When look at approach and departure angle calculators, they don’t seem to be a function of wheelbase at all and the specs should be the same on 127.4 vs. 140.6” Tacoma’s as they relate to the height and distance of bumpers from front, rear wheels, respectively. https://www.vcalc.com/wiki/KurtHeckman/Approach+(departure)+angle

Having driven a DCLB work vehicle, I liked how the 140” smoothed out washboards and I didn’t notice the turning radius difference much... so what’s the big downside except parking length, etc.?? I would probably get decent skids and some slider step type thingys anyway...

EXPERT OFF-ROADERS... seems too easy.... WHAT FACTORS AM I MISSING?

 

Just a quick addendum to say my main goal is consider whether I can achieve similar rough-terrain-surmounting capabilities in the DCLB as I’ve enjoyed in my mostly stock 2005 AC TRD OR with 265/70/16 Bridgestone Duelers... as this truck has always been *just barely* enough to get me down what I need to get down in terms of trails.

Oh and Thx in advance for anyone’s interest or insights!

 

IMO, You're over thinking this.

Those numbers are not the end-all-be-all measure of performance in the real world.

Your ability to pick good lines means more than anything you just posted. Length has little to do with how well "smooth" your ride is, your suspension does that, unless you are talking about a very specific set of circumstances (a specific distance between whoops, for example).

I'm more concerned with turning radius.

My 1st gen dbl cab has a large enough turning radius, and it's the same wheelbase as the extracabs. If you stick with a short bed, the same applies to the newer trucks. The double cab long beds are freakin limos.

 

@HowlingFauna, this ^^^ is a good point. Focus more on protecting your oil pan and transmission with skid plates, and rock sliders are a good idea, too.

 

I agree with the above: skids, sliders, and bumpers. A winch is a smart investment and pays for itself in the first use. If you don't lift it you can still rest easy scraping your way over anything and everything.

There's a lot of great material here on TW and a lot of people doing a lot of different things. You've already knocked out step one - determining your use and requirements to do so. If you're set on a lift, just figure out how much you're willing to spend and the options will present themselves.

Welcome to TW!

 

Wow thanks for all the great feedback so far! Keep the opinions and advice coming!

 

I have a DCLB with a very minor lift (2" max). Granted - I'm not hitting Rubicon style trails, I have only tripped up in one section but that was due to poor choice in line. The breakover angle has never posed a real issue to me and I am only running 31.5 inch tires (265/75/16)

 

I wheel my DCLB through trails designed for Heeps. Sometimes you have to make a 3 point turn to make a corner but it's nothing crazy. It helps if you have a front bumper with hoops as a guide to go right up to so you can get the most out of your turn radius. Also learn where your cornering/turning pivot point is. For me its just before the rear fender flares, or so I've learned.