Today's Lesson in Tacomas for Dummies

So, I've received my lesson on the 4wd drive and, more importantly, when to use atrac, dac, rr, etc. etc. When I lived in New England in the 80's we had a 4 wheel drive that came in handy but I was a kid then and never cared to learn too much.

So, FWIW, this is my 1st 4x4 and right now I've only been on pavement and hopefully, over time I will progress to off roading. Probably, just mud running on hills and trails and someday moving up to rock crawling but who knows - that's not what this post is about. I've lurked and read on this site probably too much (Oh how my work has suffered since buying this truck and lurking on this site). Today I am looking for lessons in the reasons the below are done. Some I can get but looking for more insight from the experts:

1. Lifts, as in lifting the truck. People mention 2", 3" and even 6" lift. I assume this is specifically done to gain more ground clearance for off roading (and I also assume some do it just for looks). Is there any other reason to lift a truck? And why a 2" vs a 6", besides the obvious?
2. Rubbing and spacing - is this when you put on a larger tire than what the vehicle is made for and need to "adjust" some area in the wheel well in order to allow the new tire to fit?
3. the Snorkel..took me awhile to figure this one out (I know, I could google it but anytime I came across a post on the snorkel I would be on to something else and would forget about it). To make sure, this is an exhaust for running through rivers or when the car is submerged in water a bit?
4. Wheels: I did look up the numbers and what they mean on google (see, not completely lazy) but what is necessarily better. The stock off road wheels are 16" vs the sports 17" wheels. What makes one better for what scenarios? If, after the "no one touch my new car" feeling weares off, and I use this car for commuting, towing, off roading (assume trails vs. rocks for now), some snow (I do like to head out to the beautiful mountains in western north carolina) what is a good wheel/tire? I certainly am not the person to have 3 sets of tires so it would be just one set. And what matters more - the wheel, the tire, the combination?
5. Any other lessons appreciated. Learned a lot on this site including that the search function is not very functional, hence some of my questions.
6. Also, where does every get the money to mod the cars? Seems like an expensive habit that I find myself s-l-o-w-l-y slipping down. I've already spent plenty on tonneau cover, floor mats, door sill guards, brake controller, and few other misc. items and these aren't even mods

 

1: Lift is irrelevant, I have 35s on a 1 inch lift. Yes lifting the front would gain some ground clearance but ultimately it's your tires that will give you the ground clearance.
2: Essentially yes
3: Sorkel is for dust and dirty condition to keep the filter cleaner
4: More tire and less wheel is preferred, some people go bling (or w/e terminology is used now adays) and get 20s or even bigger
5: A stock truck without an mods is pretty capable, I know someone who wheels on 265s and keeps up
6: I work the corners on weekends

 

Thanks Large

 

Just to be clear, the snorkel is for the intake (as opposed to exhaust mentioned in the OP)

Red, are you that guy that keeps trying to clean my windshield? If I'd a known...

 

35's on a one inch lift????? So do you just drive without turning

 

1) what all did you do to get 35's under your fenders with a 1'' lift

 

Cut the hell outta the front end.

 

we need pics

 

I wouldn't say a lift is irrelevant. Lifts give you better approach and departure angles so you don't scrape or frame out, and also allow you to go into deeper water and run larger tires. Larger tires give you more ground clearance as well, and also raise the axles higher.

As far as lift size the highest you can go on IFS suspension without a drop bracket is about 3". A top of the line 3" lift will cost about as much as a 6" lift and it will be more useful and more comfortable. 6" drop bracket lifts are more for show then off road usefulness.

 

One other important thing to do/know.... Exercise your 4wheel drive every so often to keep the seals washed with lube. While in 4WD, do not make turns on dry pavement, use it on dirt OR drive in a fairly straight line for a while when on dry pavement.

Tight turns in 4wd/ and dry pavement will wear your front tires down super fast, or even worse, bind up and crack open your transfer ca$e.

 

The primary purpose of a snorkel is to keep the air intake from sucking in water when fording through water.

 

I can fully stuff them with no rubbing, it just takes time, patience, a BFH and beer

^^^

 

Have you regeared?

 

Use Google and add tacomaworld to the search words. Much better results.

 

1. Suspension lift is both functional and for looks. Some people do it only for the latter but in different area's a lift can be a hindrance due to higher center of gravity. Functionality comes from upgraded shocks and better spring rates more suited for offroading. As stated above, our suspension system does max out at 3" of lift before needing drop spindles or solid axle swaps.
2. Rubbing and spacing is a little vague. The description you have for that comment is pretty much accurate but basically when ever something rotating contacts a non-moving part of the body you could describe it as rubbing. Spacing could refer to body lift spacing, wheel back spacing, etc... The good news with this is they are both mainly related to larger tires from not enough clearance in the wheel wells.
3.Again, already covered by someone else. The proper use for the snorkel is for water crossings and mud. Basically to keep your intake out of the bad stuff instead of behind the fender. I have seen a lot of vehicles actually gain MPG and a little horsepower from having a snorkel setup due to the colder, ram style intake that it is while driving the highway. Dust isn't really better from a snorkel compared to the front fender intake.
4. 16" wheels tend to be the best for offroad setups if your wanting to do more extreme offroading. I personally run 33x10.80r20 and do go offroading but most of the places I go dont require huge deflation for max grip. I also do a majority of my driving on road and my tires needed to be appropriate for the driving that I do. Function over rumors. 17" rims are kinda middle of the road and offer a fair bit of options. Something to keep in mind.
5. Honestly get together with a local group and tag along as a passenger. Just note what does and doesn't work. Always go in groups of 2 or more to be safe for recovery as well as spotting in tight spots. Best way to learn offroading is to do it. Different area's have different techniques of offroading so being well rounded means traveling.

6. Secret ventures where modifying vehicles and repairing items in my passtimes. I am a certified welder and Class 1 Semi Driver operating big rigs in Alberta, Canada.

 

Actually snorkels are supposed to be for desert driving. Their intended purpose is to get the air intake above the dust and catch cleaner air. Another advantage to them is they do get the intake higher then the fender for water, but if you're going through water higher then The fender in a Tacoma you'll still have issues because Tacomas aren't meant for water like a Jeep

 

Sorry but this is wrong. You watch to much tv

 

Was on 4.56s now I am running 4.88s. Plans are to go to 37s with 2 inches of lift

 

It's primary purpose depends on what you're doing but I agree with mademan925 the water crossing ability is secondary to the taller air source which is typically cooler and less dusty.

 

A snorkel will keep your engine running in water longer then an open intake but there are many other things that will cause stop the truck that deep.