Balance of driving pavement and off-road

So I am planning on buying a 2023 TRD Off-road Tacoma in the next month. I have not owned a Tacoma before, but I want to use it for driving to work, medium level off roading, and hunting. Was thinking about getting a 2-2.5" lift, but having trouble deciding on tires and brand. I also if possible want to keep the stock wheels on it. Any advice on lift, tire, and wheel size would be great.

 

Huge recommendation to pop over to both the Suspension and Wheels & Tires forums. All inclusive, generation doesn't matter. Cruise through a couple. There's a lot of big ticket tire brand and model threads like Coopers AT3, Falken Wildpeak, etc etc. Lots of info on tall and skinny (fitting 33s on stock suspension) tires, and the suspension modification info is often bar none.

Personally I'm stock height but will probably go for Old Man Emu BP51s and Dakar leafs, and while I'm currently sitting on skinny 33s - 255/85R16 Cooper ST Maxx which I do like and come in around 32.5" tall (there are 33.4+ 255/85R16s as well, Toyos - Yokohamas) I may go for "skinny 35s" instead. IE Kenda Klever R/T because that's the only brand I can find carrying them. Lots of for those.

To see what works best for you locally as well, pick through your local threads. There's one for each state, Canada and both BC/Ontario, and then worldwide.

Wheels and Tires: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/wheels-tires.15/
Suspension: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/
Regional Discussion, scroll for your area: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/regions.36/

 

Welcome to the forum

These trucks are very capable in stock form, often better tires are all that are needed.
Try driving it for a while (and read here too) before you start changing anything.

One thing to buy is the Toyota bed mat, usually around $100 or so and worth every penny.

 

+1 for keeping it stock a while. Try out the places you want to go and if you get stuck or otherwise inconvenienced then start changing things.

 

Add the 265/70 ATs of your choice and go.
Fan of the Coopers myself for year round, on-off versatility.