Waterproofing, plus some extra height for floodwaters...need some patient help & advice

2017 OR, DC, LB, stock.

Hey guys...first, mad apologies for initiating yet another "help me pick tires" thread. This really isn't that, since my needs are a bit different and I'm looking for some patient Q&A with people who have experience with all the options out there. (This is going to be a multi-part question, too)

I'm hoping to gain a little extra height to help deal with flooding in New Orleans. I've recently been spending a ton of time back in NOLA (my hometown) from my full-time home in Dallas, TX because my parents have some health issues and needed help as they transition into a retirement community. I lived here for 30 years and know full well how suddenly you can find yourself and vehicle trapped on flooded streets, even without the impending doom of an actual hurricane...there was significant street flooding just last weekend from 5" of rain overnight. Had I been in that part of town my truck would have gotten water.

So...while I do the occasional desert camping excursion in my truck, 4x4 is not my primary concern. I'm most interested in adding a little height to keep flood waters out of my truck on the off chance I get surprised in a sudden deluge (again, NOT a hurricane...I don't plan on being a hero or fording 4' deep water). My tires just hit 50k and now is as good of time as any to make a switch if I'm going to do it. I'm on a budget so I'm really not interested in investing tons in an entirely new suspension. I also want to keep my stock 16" wheels since I'm happy with them and already have them blacked out. However, after much research I've come to realize there isn't much to be gained by going up in tire size without modding the suspension...maybe 1-2" total, which isn't terribly much. Common sense dictates I'd be better off simply tearing out my carpet and hoping for the best.

Currently, the best budget friendly advice I've gotten is going to 285/75/16 on a 2" body leveling kit, which as I understand it would add 2" to the front while leaving the back stock. Once you add bigger tires you might get 3" of new height. The place I went (The Mud Hole, in Kenner) suggested Nitto Grappler's. I'm not sold on any particular tires...I simply want all-terrain that will add some clearance without being too noisy/rough on the highway. So many people swear by KO2's...they seem to be a very known quantity with a lot of info about how they fit across many configurations.

Does anybody have experience with the 2" body leveling kits combined with 285/75/16's? Any rubbing potential? Wheel spacers necessary? How tricky is it to install this kit yourself? I have big floor jacks, jack stands and all the tools necessary...just looking for people who've done it themselves for feedback.

If I have to bite the bullet this one time to add some suspension components to be able to use the right tire combination I'm willing to entertain it, I just don't relish putting $3k into just suspension parts and labor. There are so many options out there it's dizzying, and everyone seems to have their favorite.

Finally, what type of water resistance does the stock Tacoma have for intermittent immersion? I notice the newest models can come equipped from Toyota with a snorkel. This isn't really something I plan on doing, but it made me curious about what the vulnerable points are without it. Besides the location of the intake, where are the electronics? I notice from schematics that the ECU's and such seem to be at dash level...so I take it there is nothing under the seats that can get damaged by water? All of the fluid inputs seem to be sealed or up around the top of the engine compartment, so that's good. If all of this is true it seems you probably get water up to the top of your seats without any major damage, correct?

How watertight are the door seals? I've seen occasional talk about putting vaseline on the seals to add some additional protection.

Thank you to everyone kind enough to read through this and offer advice. Much appreciated.

 

I’ve taken my Taco, stock, through water that came over the bottom edge of the door and it is very very fine. Just keep in mind not to stop in deep water or you risk issues with your exhaust and water and all that shit.

 

Look at the skinnies; 255/85/16. That’ll get you a bit of height without having to do any body work.

Look at the breather tube relocate for your diffs to get them out of water zone.

Others will chime in on lift stuff.

 

Right now water has to be over 31" to cause you any grief. Say you lift it 3"... now it is 34". What's the chances of it stopping there? If you wanna lift then go for it. You can spend $500 or $5000. Bottom line though the truck is absolutely going to get water in it if you go above bottom of door. Grommets on firewall are about same height. Water in wiring is as bad as anything. Good luck.