Is it needed?

I’m wanting to start going light off-roading and camping. I’ve been hearing to buy a suspension for the truck, I ain’t sure about it, it’s expensive and I’m not sure how much it would help.

 

It isn’t “needed” as the stock suspension is actually very capable. Tires are more important for the durability and traction. Taller tires provide more proper ground clearance than lifts do. If you’re planning to load a lot of camping gear however, you could look into beefing up the leaf springs to accommodate heavy weight

 

Not even 4x4 is needed, until it's needed.

Needs is an insane word insofar as nothing is needed until you reach the point you can't do without it. I would piggy-back on IC's comment with 'tires are the ONLY method to increase ground clearance. Suspension gives allowance for bigger tires - and provides ways to offer control and reach. See, it's all about traction and durability.

If you wanna camping, just go with what you have. I'd suggest probably mud terrain tires as the only mod that could help get you somewhere you otherwise wouldn't be able to go. Otherwise - this question may be best-answered by your personal trial and error.

Good luck!

 

It all depends. A stock 4x4 truck can do fire roads and the beach.

 

i Appreciate it! I’m currently looking for new tires, Nitto Terra Grapplers are what I have on now but there getting pretty bald. Not sure what size to go with though, I’m wanting to keep my MPG as high as possible but alwyas love a beefy look.

but suspension wise, I won’t have a lot, I’m looking for a campershell, will most likely sleep inside. I do though have a front bumper being out on, it’s around 100 pounds, do you think suspension would be needed?

 

What would you suggest is a good tire size for off-roading and trails?

and I may need some leaf springs, I’ve bought a front bumper and wanting to get a back on aswell, the front is about 100 pounds

super sorry about the three mentions? Idk what happened there

 

If you stay stock go 265 70 17s or 265 75 16s

 

What he said V

These sizes are the largest you can go without trimming or at least the very bare minimum

 

Just a lil lift 2” with bigger tires is about a 3” lift is all you really need

airing down is important

tires

traction boards

shovel

fire extinguisher

maybe a winch maybe

and some commom sense

 

I think i had mud grapplers on my previous truck. Suggest getting the kind of tire that can most-help-you from getting stuck if you go anywhere where things may get wet.

re: MPG and tire-longevity...

I have a RX8 as my fun/track car - and I am of the opinion having tires rated to last 40,000 miles will do me no good if i'm on my roof at 25000 miles. Much the same, the difference between my truck's 16mpg and 18mpg i might get with lighter weight tires (probably weight being the biggest factor in MPG) will be worth sacrificing if it means i don't get stuck somewhere I otherwise would have with less-capable tires. Make sense?

 

so you’d say the weight of the tires factor more than the actual size of the tires?
But yeah I get what your sayin, I’m assuming I can just find out what’s a good pair of tires by reviews and tacoma world?

 

I wouldn’t mind getting a lift but my issue is MPG, I’m a highschooler and I’m wanting to be able to keep the truck for a good while, and if my MPG drops, I won’t be able to keep it as long as I’d like yknow

 

I admire you doing your research as young as you are. In my honest opinion, if you can’t afford gas due to MPG drop, you shouldn’t be buying a lift. I had nowhere that kind of money in high school, I couldn’t even afford lunch. I helped my friends finish their food. That’s when my immune system was more invincible and no deadly viruses going around.

 

This. ALL of this. Learn from our mistakes! Lol

 

I appreciate it, yeah I can’t afford going around and fucking up my truck doing stupid things.
There’s not a lot to do around here, especially now, which is why over landing or atleast camping sounds so appealing. I’ve got the basics, widnow tint, Bluetooth and floor Matt’s, I was able to get Methods as a birthday gift. But I agree, I don’t want to cut corners and buy shitty suspension or whatever and ruin the truck

 

Ive been able work a lot more due to the schools being shut down, I don’t buy a lot, wrar the same boots and jeans I’ve had for years yknow. I don’t mind spending on the truck, if it’s something that’ll truly benefit it.

my true end goal, is have a truck that looks good, decent MPG and I’m able to take it on weekend camping/trail trips.