Cheapest Ground Clearance Option

Hey Guys,

This question is for my bro and maybe me in the future as well. Depending on if I drop out of grad school or not haha

He has a 2014 Access Cab Long Bed Tacoma with camper shell, completely stock.

What is the cheapest option to gain ground clearance without affecting MPG or suspension? I live in Denver and he is in Carbondale, close to Aspen and we both are avid rock climbers. Unfortunately in Moab - near Indian Creek, there are some trails that definitely require some nifty ground clearance. Do not want to damage the truck at all and when I say damage I mean dents (etc etc, you know) - don't care about scratches.

He does have a lot of weight in the back as well, using the shell for gear/storage - and also sleeps back there - 2 people.

Looking for functionality here not mall crawler style LOL.

What do you all think?

ALSO, cause it is a small world and you never know... Has anyone been at Harts Draw in Indian Creek in Moab? That is where the trail is to find some sick crack climbing. There are no books about that area since it is difficult to access. That be dope if someone has been. Planning on taking my sexy KTM 450 out there to scope it out.

Much appreciated peoplez

 

Sick send bro! here's some sweet beta for you.

(I remember being around people who talked like that when I was climbing/guiding a lot in college. Could never bring myself to adopt that language, lol)

anyhoo....


But if you don't want to affect suspension or MPGs, there is literally nothing you can do. Any lift or larger tire will affect one or both of those. There is no getting around that. That said, "affecting" the suspension is no big deal at all, not sure what your reservation is there... As for MPGs, a simple lift (described below) doesn't really affect MPG anyway, it's only when you go to a substantially larger tire, and go from a C rated, to an E rated tire (they're heavier) does your MPG go down. That can be minimized with driving style (don't drive fast, easy on the gas, etc...)

So, there are a few different types of ground clearance.

>Approach/departure/break over angles

>Then there's the ground clearance (forget the technical name) but it's basically the tallest flat object you can drive over without hitting anything.

The former can be adjusted with a suspension lift. A body lift can increase your approach and departure angles as long as you get the type that corrects the bumper height, but not the break over. Even then, body lifts don't adjust any od the suspension or skid plates, etc... only the body/bumpers.

The latter can ONLY be accomplished with bigger tires, which usually also requires a suspension lift (or substantial cutting).

So it depends on a lot of factors. Notably the budget. A simple and cheap suspension lift is a set of Bilstein 5100s, and reusing your oem coil springs. With all that weight in the back, an add-a-leaf in the rear would do you some good. All in, if you DIY the installation, less than $500.