2.7 mods w/o killing mpg

i have a 2012 double cab tacoma that has the 2.7 motor 2wd and im wondering what mods can be done without killing the gas mileage. so far i have added a set of 16x8 kmc hoss wheels and a tool box. im looking to add larger tires without lift and a brushguard any ideas on good tires and light brush guard

 

im not looking to do lift just tires and brushguard

 

Typically larger wheels and tires are heavier than stock, so city mpg will suffer 1-2 mpg due to the greater rotational inertia. You can negate this by getting lighter wheels like Volk Racing, but they are really expensive ($2500-$3000 a set).

 

we've got tons of deer in alabama only reason for thinking brush guard..and what size tire would be good on stock prerunner double cab

 

got a link for a aluminum bumper for a 2012 tacoma

 

A brush guard will fold back and cause more damage to your truck in a deer collision. To come out unscathed you will need a full plate bumper like ARB or Relentless, but they are expensive and heavy (~120 lb for the steel version).

 

Relentless and Aluminess makes aluminum plate bumpers (~60 lb).
Relentless: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/relentless-fabrication/
Aluminess: http://www.aluminess.com/

 

is there anything you would recommened that is light weight

 

Brushguard could well reduce mpg at highway speeds, making already mediocre aerodynamics even worse.

 

that is what i thought but was unsure about even the lightweight ones

 

Actually the aerodynamics are mediocre enough that a brush guard or plate bumper won't make a noticeable difference on the highway. Ask me how I know.

A heavy bumper won't hurt city mpg as much as heavier wheels and tires, because the bumper is sprung weight, akin to carrying an extra half a passenger.

 

okay thanks im just new to the forum and the whole tacoma part so im just trying to find out helpfull tips

 

Whipper linked the largest tire size you can fit without trimming the fender. As for tire brand and model, with five Taco owners you'll get six opinions. I recommend the tires I'm currently running.

 

whats a good brand you would recommened bc i was looking at the wild country xtr sport

 

I just got a set of P265/75R16 Michelin LTX-MS2 tires for mine.
I have 5100s all around set at 0.85" in the front and the TSB leaf pack in the back.

They fit great with plenty of room in the wheel wells and a much better look. I got the P-rated instead of the E-rated because that saved about 5 pounds per tire and I don't need 10 ply tires.

There is also about a 4% factor you have to add in to the mileage calculations because of the tire's bigger diameter, which will come out to about 1mpg if you don't factor that in. I am hoping it all comes out as a wash on mileage, but I am happy with the change.

 

im looking at 265/70/16 is that good size

 

That is one of the stock sizes with the PreRunners and 4x4s, along with 245/75R-16 (which is what I had). They are both the same diameter (30.5") so they should fit the same. My new tire has a 31.7" diameter with the 75profile instead of 70.
I very much doubt that you would have clearance issues with the top of your wheel wells, and the sides would be the same on all of them.

If you have any doubts, just look up your current tire diameter and measure the available area in your wheel wells and see if the difference would have any problem.

 

ive got 245/75 right now on 16x8 wheels and want about the same size in height but wider is what looking for

 

You are good with 265/70-16 then. No change in diameter but will be wider.

 

okay thanks