Tacoma noob and tires/wheels question

Hi guys,

Disclaimer: I'm brand new to the world of Tacomas -- found a killer deal from a friend who owns a car dealership and will be buying a 2012 2-dr 2WD base model this coming weekend -- I am stoked. (pic from the dealer below)

Help me understand if this is possible: the first order of business is to upgrade the wheels and tires. I really like the 16" TRD wheel w/ the 265/70/16 BFG All-Terrain T/A KOs (as shown in the picture) -- and I had those tires on a Wrangler I once owned and dig them. I realize there is a difference in lug configuration (5lug on my model versus 6lug on the TRD wheel) -- question is: would my model fit those rims and tires? If so, what sort of adjustments would have to be made?

Thanks
Lorenzo

 

The best solution is to find some 5lug rims you like. There are a lot of choices for 5lug.

To run 6lug rims you'd need a 5lug to 6lug adapter. This would not be a good idea. Mainly they are a point of failure and problems, can prematurely damage your wheel bearings, etc.

 

Find another wheel that floats your boat. I'm stoked for you, too! Congrats.

 

Thanks guys! And yeah I suspected any sort of lug converter would lead to issues -- and that's the last thing I want, after owning a string of German cars with nothing but problems.

 

Change the rear diff oil to synthetic. Buy quality high pressure gas shocks like KYB gas adjusts install a rear sway bar and a hood scoop and you're all set.

 

Sweet -- what about body kit parts, like fenders? I guess I'd like to eventually make it look more aggressive and beefier, if that makes sense.

 

Wide body it. Go for it.

 

Might as well throw a super charger on it while we're at it.

 

Haha, I've had supercharged and turbos in the past and will avoid like the plague.

 

So here's what I'm thinking leading to my next question -- one of the members (fender104) on here posted his pic -- this is exactly the look I'd like to go for. I would like to buy the 18" XR rims and the tires (285/60/18) that he put on -- but I'm obviously concerned about rubbing. Can I do a smaller lift, like 1 or 2" without going all the way to something like the 2.75 kit from Fat Bob's? I don't really care about major lift or height...just want the look of the tires and wheels without having to do any major retuning or regearing (from what I've read)...just want to avoid tire rub.

 

I have a 2014 regular cab 2wd like your future truck. Sounds like you want your cake and eat it too. Xrunner wheels are heavy. But good that you are going with 18" wheels if you plan for future big brake kit. You have to remember that the 2TR-FE motor doesn't have a lot of torque...so unless you want to spend some money... how about you tell us your end game? If you want fenders flares which I like too...but I think my tires are going to be smaller so it would look funny with fenders...you will have to drill holes into your fender to install the flares.

The 18" wheels with big truck tires are going to be really heavy...so regearing is almost a must unless where you live there aren't a lot of hills...mostly flat lands then you are okay.

If you really want the big truck route...get a prerunner if you don't want the 4x4 just to get the TRD wheels. Myself since it's more of a street truck, I got 18" wheels that's less weight than the stock 15" steel wheels. Then I'm going with 235/55/18 tires. But you want aggressive tire look...check out Yokohama geolandar a/t-s 225/55R18. The tires are 29lbs...if you get lighter wheels, then it'll equal the weight of the stock 15" 215/70 tires.

Is your truck auto or manual? Also...if you get too big of tires...you'll have to do black box mod.

Oh to do 285/60/18...that's a big Fing wheel from stock...regearing is necesary if you live anywhere near hills... A lift probably is required...but black box mod is required for that I size if I remember from other threads.

 

Yeah I live in Louisiana, a.k.a, the Flats...lol...so not really any hills anywhere.

Truck is an auto...and yeah mine will be mostly street use -- so you think the 225/55/18 Geolandars would be best?

 

I would go for those because it looks like a nice truck tire, but not heavy. If you really want aggressive looks...then read up on black box mod...there's a silly metal box in the fender well that has to be removed to fit a bigger tire. I really like the geolandar because it's just a street tire that looks off road. Most folks will go bigger tire. Good news is your truck is auto so you have 3.58" gears in the back....not the 3.31" gears like my manual truck...so it's dog slow. I had a Z4M before...and BRZ after before I got the truck...so yeah truck is slow for me. with 3.58" bigger wheels may not be such a problem since you are mostly flat lands. Just remember bigger tire means lower gas mileage vs cool factor. I thought the Geolandar would be a compromise, since my 18" wheels are forged racing wheels...it's 20.5lbs and tires can be 29lbs for Geolandar woulbe 49.5lbs. I don't have my notes, but stock tires were 48 lbs if I remember right.

Best now is one of the TW members who has 3.58 gears with big tires can make suggestion for you. I'm just commenting to tell you got only 180 lb torque and 159 hp and 3300lbs of weight...just take that into consideration when you size the tire/wheel of your desire.

Side Note: Get yourself a pop and lock tailgate handle

$100 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400...or painted version. I wrote mod for this handle for installation and it works perfect and protects your tailgate from getting stolen.

Since we are both 5 luggers....I bought skid plates for the tranny and engine. Not the fancy TRD ones...just stuff the 4x4 folks get ride off...it's little insurance from debris hitting your engine. I also got X brace from Xrunner and then I'm getting rear sway bars..so it'll handle better. I don't know if that will help your truck if you decide to do off roading.

 

Dude I had a Z4 too and a host of other BMWs so I am aware and prepared that switching to this truck will be slower! But the traffic and roads in Baton Rouge are so horrible so a sportscar is no longer the way to go. I like your idea of the smaller tire for weight/efficiency but w/ the aggressive look of the Geolandar...that was my main objective anyway.

I read up on the black box mod -- thanks for all the info for sure.

 

The roads in Los Angeles are no better... I wanted 235 because the 18" wheels I got...they are 8.5"...so I don't 225 for that...it can fit 245...but I shy away for weight and MPG. If you want reliable...gen 1 Taco I had got 170K+ miles before I sold it to my brother 10 years ago and still going. The bench seat suck shit... kills my back... I'm doing a 4runner bucket seat conversion...I have the seats, but haven't made time to install because it's hard with the power seats and airbags etc...hopefully get to it soon. I wasn't sure if you wanted Geolandar since you said you wanted 285 tires...that's fing big tire for 4 cylinder.

FYI, Nissan, Mustang, Mitsubishi etc have same PCD...so just make sure the offset is good. I got through craigslist Lancer Evo X MR wheels. If you want to get some take offs for less money...or get some light Enkei RPFI. There are a lot of aftermarket 5 lugs that can look really good with truck tires. I think my MR wheels would look nice with big heavy tires...but not going that route.

Do you have smog laws in Louisiana? California is rough...can't do anything...but if you got some coin...think about URD supercharger. I think these motors are reliable enough to handle it...otherwise...at least get LCE headers...can't do that legally in CA.

 

Yeah it looks like the 225 Geolandars are gonna be the winner -- when comparing w/ the 285s...you're right -- too big for the 4cyl.

My commute to work is so short and in slow traffic that I didn't even consider doing any engine upgrades -- at least not for now!

I had considered looking into upgrading seating too but again -- short commute and rarely on the hwy either.

Thanks again for all the info.

 

Damn thing about these crappy 5 luggers is that they don't have power anything. You'll probably want to upgrade the mirrors...I got 2013 4runner mirrors...I have to see if I can install power window regulator from Access cab... power door lock was there when I bought it used..with the alarm.

If you take care of the truck by changing the oil regularly...this truck will last a long time. We don't have rust in California inlands so it'll go 20 to 30 years no problem. I beat the crap out of my gen 1 truck and was a champ...we'll see about gen 2. I stay away from gen 3 until their direct injection is sorted...I sold the BRZ because of 2nd gear tranny issues and direct injection cricket problems.

I'm glad to help a fellow 5 lugger. I didn't want to mod anything...but used to amenities of the other cars...so I got a huge list and parts in the garage of things to do. Good luck and welcome to TW.

 

I replied to your PM, but since it took me a while to write up, I thought I share here so it'll help anyone else considering a bigger tire with the 2.7L motor:

So here are the few things I considered when selecting a tire:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=265/&ratio=65&diameter=18&rearWidth=255/&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17&zip-code=

Look at the weight, UTQG (treadwear meaning how soft the compound), and user rating. Picking a tire is a crap shoot if it's good or not and hydroplane resistance is listed as one of the characteristics they rate.

Next to compare the 265/65/18 vs 255/55/18 vs 235/55/18 vs 215/70/15.

Use this:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=215-70r15-235-50r18

And remember to select overlay so you can see how the size compare when overlapped.

You see 235/55/18 is about the same size as 215/70/15. So I'm gonna have a big gap in the fender well because it's about stock size. The 15 reduction in profile means the tire will be a little bit more stiff compared to 70. Remember the Z4? My Z4M was 40s profile if I remember and it wasn't fun to drive after a year because the roads are so rough...I have to watch every street seam and navigate the street...handles awesome, but price to pay. So my solution is to drop the truck 2". I know you want to lift, but by lowering, I get better handling, better MPG in theory because less air under the truck, and it closes the gap of the fender well.

Okay same argument... you want 265/65/18 vs 215/70/15. At 215, your tire diameter size is 26.85". With 3.58" gears, your RPM is 2888 @65MPH. Now with 265, your tire diameter is 31.56". With 3.58" gears, your RPM is 2456 @65MPH. That means you will increase your MPG, because motor is spinning less. The issue is the tires are about 15lbs heavier to spin. Take off will be increasing difficult. If you look at the chart on the link I shown above, to get back into the green, you need 4.10" gears to spin at 2844.

So what ever tire you choose...you'll have to consider these things...and don't fool yourself that 15 lbs of rotational mass isn't a lot... for a little motor with hardly any torque...it'll be noticeable.

Here are my notes for stock wheel setup:

stock steel wheel. Weights 25lbs
stock tire is 23 lbs dunlop grand trek 215/70R15

So I have 48 lbs to be the same as stock. If you go with a lighter setup...the wheels will be easier to spin. If you go heavier...it'll be harder on take off to spin the tires. The reason why I selected 18" wheels? So I can fit a big brake kit. Going +3 size tires meaning from 15" to 18" take a lot of stress on the brakes...it's going from 27" to 31.5" you have 4.5" of more torque the brakes have to handle to stop. So if you take say handle that's 6" an you hold one end and hang 1 lb on it...try to stop it from rotating...now same set up take 12" and hang 1 lb and see how much more force it takes to stop it from rotating. So you have 27" with 48lbs...now you have 31.5" with 60lbs at least for your max set up... your pads are going to get chewed up and it'll be harder to stop.

I choose to be slighter larger than stock at 27.5" or so, but the weight will be about 48 lbs. My wheels are 20.5 lbs. The 235/55/18 will be about 29 to 26 lbs depending on brand. Your 265 are 36 to 40 lbs or so....you have to go lighter wheel or have a heavy set of wheels to deal with.

That's my reason for sticking with 235 or less for tire width. Go with looks or go with performance...can't have both if the motor and brake power stays the same.