Someone explain ground clearance to me

I have a new 2023 TRD OR DC LB. Getting around the farm I am starting to think Id appreciate more ground clearance on the truck. Clearing ruts, stumps, rocks, etc. My understanding is that I will require "taller" tires to gain ground clearance. And depending on how much clearance I hope to gain will dictate the tire size. And subsequently that tire size may require a lift kit of some sort?

Is this the correct thinking here?

 

Yes, taller tires are what give ground clearance. The size of the tire will determine if and what changes need to be done to the truck in terms of lift and wheels etc.

 

Ground clearance is the gap between the ground and the lowest part of your truck that isn't the tires. Usually the center diff in the rear is the low point.

To raise that center diff, you are correct, you will indeed need larger tires, with the height gained being half the increase in tire diameter over OEM. ~30in oem tire to 33in tire = 3inches / 2 equals 1.5 inches gained.

To clear larger tires, some of the below list will need to happen.
1. get bigger tires. I believe 265/75R16s are still the largest you can go on a stock truck.
2. start trimming/cutting. You can fit larger tires without a lift but you'll start hacking away larger and larger parts to make sure it doesn't rub. How much cutting depends on tires size.
3. Lift it. A lift will garner more clearance from the truck body for bigger tires to minimize amount of rubbing in step 2.

 

Here's some more reading for you.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...2016-tacoma-presented-by-toytec-lifts.395798/

 

ok Im starting to understand. So say I go with a 2.5in lift on the truck....with new front coil overs / UCAs....and AAL/new struts on the back, what size tires will I most likely be able to go with....without hacking into the fender/bumper and doing a cab mount trim?

getting 32in tires on my truck is only going to gain me roughly 1in of ground clearance if im understanding correctly?

 

correct. I think the OEMs are 30.5" stock size

I have Cooper 265/75R16s that are right at 32" and once I got the alignment right, didn't rub with a 2.5" lift.

 

Not sure if this will help but on my 2nd gen with a 2" lift front/back i went with 275/70/17... still had to do some minor plastic trimming and remove the mud flaps. Right now i have around 1/2-3/4" clearance from body mount. This is with a Icon stage 8 lift, 0 offset 4.75 bs 8.5" wheels, and 32.2" 275/70r17 Toyo r/t trail's.

 

Read up on "pizza cutters"

That would be 255/80r17, or a 255/85r16.

Best way to get most height with most clearance. Very happy with mine.

 

Larger diameter tires are the best way to prevent your truck from hitting the ground, but a lift helps too. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a lift to fit larger diameter tires.

More info can be found here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAYGdcKSA3o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1tTelhdEiM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wAJAOxh8LE

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/put-255-85-16s-on-stock-or-wheels-and-suspension.491079/

 

I went this route as well, just tires and instant 1.5”.
It’s not for everyone, the ride and handling quality changed drastically and the tires are heavy too.
Cooper sttMaxx=58 lbs


Now that my suspension is a bit whipped I’m going to change it all and do a mild lift (2”) from Accutune.

I’m not in love with the oem-OR rims and eventually I’d like to change them.
Also not sure about 285s, I think they’re not as tall as the 255/85.
The rim offset and backspacing can make the difference between rubbing and not rubbing.

 

His vids and explanations are great, I watched all of them before deciding on what route to take on my suspension.

Nothing worse than spending $$$$$ and getting more rubbing.

The sway bar one was really interesting too. I would have thought both off would yield the most flex but not the case.

 

Anyone know what the backspacing and offset are on the oem 3rd gen offroad rims?

 

25mm from what I see

 

That’s the offset right?

 

Yep. Backspace is simply another way to state offset based on rim width. The backspace for a ET25 wheel that is 7.5" wide is roughly 5"