33s or bumper upgrade?

I think you are likely over estimating the effect of rotational mass on fuel economy. Adding 1 lb of weight to a tire is approximately equivalent to adding 2 lbs of payload, so buying 4 tires that are each 1 lb lighter is like taking 8 lbs of payload out. (Maybe that's where people are getting the 10-1 ratio?) That’s not a lot of weight compared to the weight of the entire truck. Additionally the energy spent accelerating that extra weight is only lost when you brake, thus it likely has a marginal effect on the hiway

Rolling resistance likely has a greater effect on fuel economy. Extra rubber and more aggressive tread patterns cause the tire to lose more energy to heat due to internal friction in the rubber and friction with the road surface. The loss of energy occurs whenever the tire is rotating and increases with speed.

The problem is that tire manufacturers do not publish rolling resistance specs, thus we are left guessing that a heavier tire has more rolling resistance.

 

It’s more like 2-1.

http://hpwizard.com/rotational-inertia.html

 

Ok fair enough, I heard that from some old timers at track days. I'd disagree that it doesn't have a massive impact on fuel mileage though. Rolling resistance is much more complicated and too much for my paygrade so I compared apples to apples as much as possible with the only variable being tire size.

 

I'm in Colorado, so salt/rust wasn't really a consideration. I'd buy Elkas again for sure if I had the money, on a budget I might go with 2.0 instead though. My buddy has the Toytec 2.0 on his 4runner - which are just rebranded Elka - and they ride amazing.

 

Not sure if you have other armor or not, but I’d hold off on both those and add rock sliders/skids before anything else. When it comes to daily drivers, rock sliders/skids will take you through most trails most people are willing to regularly do in a daily driver. I have been on countless trips where guys are able to do just about all of the trails in their stock/close to stock Tacoma’s that other guys are doing in their fully built rigs with massive tires (mostly everyone I actually wheel with runs 37’s yet we all do the same trails). Sure massive tires will help in certain situations, but again those trails may not be the ones your wanting to take regularly in a daily driver. Consider what you want to do with your truck first and add what it needs for that specific purpose.

 

I forgot about sliders, they were the first thing I got.

 

Don't know if you have seen (link below) this on the home page but it is a good tool for determining new tire size and effect.

I went with 255/80/17 Wildpeaks to replace my 265/70/17's and have been really happy with the change so far (also not a huge increase in weight)

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc

 

I don't know what you consider massive, but my personal experience is that there is about a 1 mpg difference in mixed driving between my 265/70/r16 Goodyear Wrangler A/Ts (SL load) and my 255/85r16 Dick Cepak Extreme Terrain M/Ts (E load). That's taking into account the 7% difference in circumference. The computer says 2 mpg.

 

DOM steel sliders were my second purchase (after ditching the OEM tires). Put them to hood use in a parking lot already…some green pain on one edge. I love teaching manners without having to do anything.

 

I got overwhelmed by all the arguing, so I instead bought a bunch of taco sauce only and punisher stickers.

 

The more rubber between the wheel and an obstacle is the smartest path. Those morons with 18-20"+ wheels for 33" tires are clueless. They might get pumpkin clearance, but the chance for both tire & rim damage increases dramatically. (and they look stupid!)

Drawback is lack of selection of tires available. They're out there, just not as many choices. If you find the tires you want in 16", then the only reason to go to 17" rims is for a larger brake rotor. Know that you can mount larger/better calipers (w/ the stock rotor) behind 16". So, be smart and go for more rubber cushion.

Regardless of taste in looks, the skinnier tires will perform better off road. I've experienced both and the wide tires were absolutely horrible in MN snow, IN grass, CO dirt/mud, and in mpgs! I saw immediate improvement when I changed over to skinnies.

Those 255/85R16 fit a stock truck without ANY modification (on factory steel wheels).

 

Must have been a true MINI car for your sliders to abuse their hood.

 

You never heard of them Boeing 747 15 degree sliders?? Last time I’m taking advice from you!

 

And... Last time I'm flying with you if you're landing in car parking lots instead of on designated runways...

 

If you ask random strangers on the internet for their opinions, you should expect arguing.

 

Now that's something we agree on.

 

hahah

 

TW isn't a place for folks with thin skin.

 

Welp, only because the masses willed it over the bumper…