Do I need to Re-Gear my 2023 Tacoma right away after installing 35's?

Hey guys.

I have a bone stock 2023 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 with 20,000 miles on it.
These are the upgrades I had in mind.

-Billstein 6112 5160 kit 2.5-3 inch lift
-Add a leaf or new leaf system
-New UCA's
-Cab mount relocation and fender trim
-35's on 17's

I've been doing a lot of research on the need to re-gear if you put 35's on a tacoma due to the lack of power, gear hunting, and horrible MPG.

I currently have the pedal commander installed in my truck and I absolutely love it. Gets rid of the stupid lag and has helped my MPG. My question is, Should I re-gear immediately when I get the 35's, or can I wait a couple of months, by just using my pedal commander, without damaging the gears or the engine. I do plan on re-gearing in the future, but I don't want to do all these upgrades at once. I know re-gearing can be expensive. But, if I have to I understand. Just wanted your guys' opinion on this.

Also if you have any other recommendations as far as the lift kit I'd love to hear it.

 

You’ll be fine without it. Many people regear after they go up in tire size for the lack of power afterwards but if driving around is what you’re worried about, then you’ll be fine. I know someone on 35’s in a 4Runner still stock gears for over a year and nothing is wrong.

 

I read your post wrong. Sorry.

You'll be fine, you'll just be wishing you had gears but it won't harm the truck.

 

he said he would get in a couple of months. Not everyone is loaded with cash and time. He simply asked if he would be fine without one for a couple of months.

 

I don’t have any advice to add that hasn’t already been stated above, but I demand to see an after pic when it’s done!

 

Thank guys! This eased my mind for sure I definitely plan on re-gearing, possibly at the end of this year or beginning of next year. Just wondering how bad it will impact me doing these upgrades without the re-gear and if it will really mess up my MPG and power. If I can wait to save up a little more and not blow all this money at once, that would be ideal. I have a some vacations planned and I don't want to blow through all this money all at once. But wanted to get all of your inputs and opinions on it! I appreciate it! I plan on getting this done within the next two weeks so I'll keep you all posted and post pics of when it's done!

(also, if you have any recommendations/opinions on the add a leaf vs new leaf pack I'd love to hear it)

 

The only thing you're missing is replacement inner fender liners. When you do the fender/fender flare trim you won't be able to re-use those liners, and leaving that area open allows water and whatever else to get thrown into that cavity and could possibly seep into the cab. There's a member on here who makes some out of ABS, and C4 makes a great aluminum kit (that's what I used).

 

Running 35's properly takes a substantial amount of modification to your fenders, cab mounts, firewall, etc etc. Make sure you have an alignment shop that knows how to set up these kinds of builds. If you are actually gonna wheel your truck, I would highly suggest you get welded spindle gussets due to the weight of the tires, as well as a heavy-duty alignment kit

 

the suspension components that you mention are fine. Stay away from SPC UCA’s. Spend a bit more and get either JD fab, Camburg, or total chaos.

 

I was looking at the Bilstein B8. I'll check the other ones out as well

 

FYI I've been driving three years on stock gearing with automatic transmission. The KDMax tune makes the experience passable - I can still spin tires off the line. On the highway it feels like a 2nd gen with 5-speed automatic

 

I have some GearTech fender liners available for sale if anyone is interested.

 

I plan on running 315s when my 295s wear out....don't plan to re-gear my MT Pro unless it's really horrendous, think I'll be fine.

 

I just talked to a 4x4 shop in my area. He said the Bilstein Shocks (2.5 lift) won't be enough ride height to clear 35's. Is this true? Do you guys have any other recommendations on shocks if the bilsteins don't work out. I'm willing to even go down to a 295/75/r17 (34.4 inch tire).

 

Untrue. Lift doesn't help you fit a tire on IFS suspension unless you're talking about a 6" DB lift.

You may want to look into the JD LCA pivot kit. That plus the other things you've already mentioned doing are the best way to fit 35"+ tires.

 

Ok perfect. Ill look into the LCA pivot kit.

 

i went with the c4 liners aswell. clean look.

 

regearing is never "required" but highly recommended. getting rid of the pedal commander and getting an actual tune will help a whole lot too.

 

OP- id regear before going 35s, you’ll hate the truck on 35s without 5.29s. Im on 255/85/16(skinny 33s) and 5.29s, idk how people are stating “no major power change when going from 30” to 35” tires(people are blowing smoke up your ass). As for AAL, id skip that and go for a full leaf pack. The AAL is a bandaid fix for the poor stock leaf springs, mine flattened within a year of install. Deavers are my choice for leafs, multiple options available for different loads too. Just my .02

PS: MPG will likely dip to 10, power will be even more gutless and trans shift points will be abysmal and annoying(gear hunting gets worse without proper tune and gears). DO THE GEARS

 

Solo Motorsports and BTF Fab also make stock width LCAs that advance the BJ about 1". The JD LCA pivot does the same thing but allows you to keep your stock LCA while strengthening where the LCA attaches. Stock LCAs are plenty strong and durable. I went with the BTF Fab LCAs but if I were to do it over I'd go for the JD kit.

The whole idea with either option is to move the tire forward and away from the firewall to make more clearance.