I'm going to get murdered for this one...need tire size advice

Long time listener, first time caller...I'm in line for a '21 pro (SHOULD be here by the first week of Sept). Don't worry, I'm not trying to change the suspension...though, if the '22 suspension becomes available, I might make an exception.

Why I think I'll get murdered is because I'm going to ask a question that has likely been asked on here an innumerable amount of times, yet I can't find the answer I am looking for. Feel free to send me a link if you know where it is.

In essence, I do think all Tacomas need at least a little lift, including the pro; and, I doubt anyone will argue that the pro tires weren't a silly choice for a vehicle that is supposed to be the zenith of OEM off roading for Toyota - they look awful, too. That being said, I'm looking for the perfect tire. One that will have a beefier look, work great for daily driving, as well as for weekend dispersed camping trips (i.e., I live in the PNW and often find camp sites off old logging trails). I know guys have gone something like 286/75/16, but I have to assume I'd be losing a ton of travel by going that large - I don't know a damn thing about that, however.

Any advice y'all have to offer up will be appreciated!

~Ryan

 

You don't lose travel by going bigger. The travel is what it is and the tire either fits or it doesn't

 

See, I don't know a damn thing...you'd think I'd watch a few youtube videos or something. Other than rubbing/ the need to trim and poorer fuel economy, what then are the drawbacks to going with a tire that is bigger than OEM?

 

Depends on what you're looking for. Those are the drawbacks. Speedo will be off but you can account for that. You'll gain clearance, traction and the ability to air down quite a bit. But those typically only matter if you wheel. Doesn't help at the mall. Most people are 90% on road, 10% off road so the trade-offs are 90% of your experience. If you can live with that then go as big as you can without cutting or cut significantly and go bigger. You can also go skinny 33 and not have to worry about any of that.

 

You lose torque. Bigger tires have more mass, more mass means more weight, more weight in the form of tires is unsprung weight. If drive in the mountains, you’ll see quickly what happens.

Another draw back is your tss stuff might not work. Depending how big you go.

 

Who even goes to the mall anymore? I did run over a curb this morning with my FJ while pulling into work and felt proud bout that...jokes aside, I appreciate the sage advice. Is there a sweet spot?

 

Ah, that's a good point. I'm really looking for a sweet spot here. As @Saturnine pointed out, I'm on pavement 90% of the time, so I'm looking for something that looks great, is best for daily driving, yet can handle gravel/ dirt/ snow, and some untamed paths (no major rock crawling for me).

 

I don't have a pro and I run skinny 33s so I don't know if I have the answer for you. I think 285/70/17 works. Depends on if you have 16s or 17s

You could always just go up 1 size instead of going to the biggest you can

 

If you know NOTHING. You havent read enough anywhere. Id read as much as i could on tires and all that crap before changing tires on a truck you dont have yet. My guess is it wont matter if you get new tires or not. If its purely for looks, then by all means.

 

For the sake of my marriage, this thread was an attempt to avoid the feverish rabbit hole of research I tend to go down with such matters. That being said, I can't argue with your advice. I'll say aesthetics and functionality are equally as important, barring spacers, blocks, etc. that will do more damage than good.

 

I say leave it alone. Drive it for a few months. You may not need anything.

 

Driving it a few months makes sense, though I'd be selling the tires to offset cost. Not sure how much of a difference a thousand or so miles on a tire makes re. $ in the land of Craigslist shoppers, but that's not your problem. Appreciate it.

 

If someone wants your tires it's likely not going to matter. They're a hard sell anyway because most people sell them to upgrade right away.

0 miles to 5000 miles is pretty much the same thing

 

The whole point of having larger tires off road is the extra clearance. Specifically for the diff.
There’s no need for a larger tire really as you have is a very capable truck.


You’re OEM tires will handle all those things. You said good for daily driving. Your best bet is to maybe go up to a 265 75 16 and stick with a SL tire.
No trimming, pretty much won’t notice the speedo, or power loss unless you get super heavy tires, no regear, etc.

Plus you can get “the look.” It’s worth going down the rabbit hole to know what you’re getting into, and if it’s worth it to you.

 

Not quite true, you can loose some up travel but not down travel when going bigger if you don't have enough lift.

I'm on 34's and a true 3" adjustable mid travel suspension lift and have DuroBumps with an 1/8 spacer to keep my tires from touching the top of the fender well under full compression this is even with the splash gaurds completely removed.

 

I meant with tires that fit, not with tires that you have to rebuild the truck around