New to Vermont, need to upgrade

Hey everyone,

I'm a new member and new to Vermont. I was hoping someone in the area could point me in the right direction.

Current situation: 2013 access cab 4 x 4, 2.7 liter, stock 16" wheel and tires, 45,000 miles, no packages whatsoever (plastic bumpers), no lift or any serious mods.

Looking to upgrade tires from stock 245/75/16 to 265/75/16 while keeping the stock steelies and without a lift. Anyone recommend something different than 265/75 for Vermont winters? I don't really off road. Mostly highways and hills. Looking at DuraTrac at the moment. Not sure about what load range to go with so any advice is much appreciated.

Thinking about seeing how the truck rides/looks with the bigger tires then possibly lifting an inch or two so could use some advice for a good shop to go to in central VT.

Thanks,

 

I have heard good things about Big Boys Toys in Bennington. May be a bit too far from you though.
@802coma Any help for one of your fellow VTers?

 

OP here is another pretty active thread to give a shout out in.

 

Thanks. If they are good/knowledgable about tacoma then distance isn't an issue.

 

They did a friends Heep. Came out great!

 

http://bbtoys.com/

Matt Decell
Lift Kit and Toyota & Jeep Specialist
802-447-1721
matt@bbtoys.com

 

Thanks, man. I will look into them.

 

@russperry20 where abouts are you in vt?

Personally, I've had great luck with my hankook dynapro atm's. I too made the jump to 265/70r17's.

I have just over 10k on them right now and the tread is in great shape. This past winter I didn't even bother loading up my bed (reg cab) with any weight, and they performed great. I chose the regular ply (not E) since I've got a reg cab.

I work on top of a mountain (literally) and never had a problem. I was even the only one to make it up "the hill" (the steep driveway entrance at work) during a bad ice storm. I ended up having to pull everyone else up with a snow cat.

Now here's the best advice I can give you. The skinnier the tire, the better for snow; mud terrains suck in the snow. And obviously a snow tire will work better/longer than an all terrain during winter use. With all that being said, you should really decide whether or not to get a great set of winter tires (and ultimately get summers as well) or to get a really great all terrain.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Looks like the 265/75/16 and the 265/70/17 are pretty close in size. 265/75/16 seems to be the most popular on TW for 16" wheel. You recommend looking into something narrower? Is there anything around the same height that i can run on stock 16" steelies that is thinner?

 

check that, they are the same size

 

265 is the tread width; 70 refers to the percentage of the tread width in reference to the distance from wheel to tread. The tire calculator on here is awesome! Haha

Funny story, I actually found a killer deal on a set of 255/75r17's. So that's what I'm going to run for the winter. Then swap to the 265s for summer.

 

Also, narrower tires are more easily able to "dig" down and bite into the snow and get better traction.

 

I had bad luck with 265 duratrac load range c. My truck is a lot heavier than yours, but I would suggest a thicker sidewall. I ripped 2 sidewalls on very tame trails.

 

what do you recommend for 265's? only reason i am looking at duratrac is for the looks. open to other brands as well

 

You can get them, just don't get load range c. I'm sure d would be fine on your truck. I'm running a different tire, but load range e. I want strong rubber lol.

 

do you know of anyone in the area who works on tacomas? most likely end up doing a small lift at some point

 

I don't unfortunately. Anything small I (try to) do myself. Anything large I have the dealership do it. Dealership being Carbone of Bennington (where I bought the truck). Can't say much about 802 Toyota, never had to deal with their service department. Although I've heard good things about http://natesautomotivevt.com/service.aspx

 

802 Toyota would install the lift for you, but depending on what you want for a lift, you may be better of buying the parts yourself.

 

Shit I'd take a ride to Vermont to install a lift in exchange for some craft beers!

I was born in Rutland, lived in chittenden till I was 5. Actually getting married at mountain top inn in chittenden next September.