Toyota Tacoma on 33s, 34″s, or 35 Inch Tires – What Lift and Wheels To Pick
It’s hard to disagree that Toyota Tacoma looks just great with a set of oversized 33″ or 35″ inch tires on. Being one of the most popular models among the off-roading fans in America, these trucks get modified in all kinds of ways, but the most popular upgrades for any build are the wheels and suspension.
If you are looking to outfit your Toyota Tacoma with a set of 33s, 34s, or even 35s, then you will definitely need a lift kit. Unfortunately, the stock height will not allow you to fit them without modifications, but there is a couple of tried and suspension upgrades that will help you to achieve this goal with minimal effort. Today we’ll dive deeper into this topic to showcase the most popular tire options and lift kits.
Benefits of installing 33″, 34″ or 35″ tires on a Toyota Tacoma
Installing larger tires is the ultimate way to improve the off-road capabilities of any truck or SUV, because they improve the ground clearance, approach/departure angles, and widen the tracks. Besides they provide a larger ground contact point which maximizes the grip and improves traction. They will also improve the visual appeal of your truck, giving it a wider stance and beefier appearance.
- Improved ground clearance
- Improved approach and departure angles
- Improved grip and traction
- Better stability
- Awesome looks
Disadvantages
Nothing is perfect and so there are some disadvantages of running larger tires that you must be aware of. Bigger tires and a lift put more stress on the suspension components, which may require more frequent maintenance. They also raise the vehicle’s center of gravity, which slightly improves the body roll. Due to the improved overall wheel diameter, the speedometer readings will no longer be accurate.
- Potentially more frequent maintenance of the suspension components
- Improved body roll (with high lift)
- Inaccurate speedometer readings
- Gas mileage
Below is the list of factory equipped wheel sizes and comparison with 33″, 34″, and 35″ tires
2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma Factory Tire sizes and their Equivalents in Inches
| Metric tire sizes | Sizes in inches* | Fitment |
|---|---|---|
| 265/70R16 | 31x10.43R16 | Factory size |
| 265/65R17 | 31x10.43R17 | Factory size |
| 265/60R18 | 31x10.43R18 | Factory size |
| 245/75R16 | 31x9.65R16 | Factory size |
Other common 31″ tire sizes
| 265/70/16 | 31x10.43R16 | Modifications may be required |
|---|---|---|
| 275/70/16 | 31x10.83R16 | Modifications required |
Common 32 inch tires
| 255/75/17 | 32x10.04R17 | Will not rub |
|---|---|---|
| 265/75/16 | 32x10.43R16 | Will not rub |
| 275/70/17 | 32x10.83R17 | Modifications required |
Common 33 inch tires
| 255/85R16 | 33x10.04R16 | Modifications required |
|---|---|---|
| 255/85/16 | 33x10.04R16 | Modifications required |
| 255/80R17 | 33x10.04R17 | Modifications required |
| 255/80/17 | 33x10.04R17 | Modifications required |
| 33x10R17 | 33x10R17 | Modifications required |
| 285/75/16 | 33x11.22R16 | Modifications required |
| 285/70/17 | 33x11.22R17 | Modifications required |
| 305/70/16 | 33x12.01R16 | Modifications required |
| 305/65/17 | 33x12.01R17 | Modifications required |
Common 34 inch tires
| 285/75R17 | 34x11.22R17 | Modifications required |
|---|---|---|
| 285/75/17 | 34x11.22R17 | Modifications required |
| 305/70R17 | 34x12.01R17 | Modifications required |
| 305/70/17 | 34x12.01R17 | Modifications required |
Common 35 inch tires
| 35×12.50R17 | 35×12.50R17 | Modifications required |
|---|---|---|
| 315/75R16 | 35x12.40R16 | Modifications required |
*Diagrams and sizes from Tire Size Comparison Visualizer at Tire-size.com
All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain tires?
A properly selected wheel and tire package will extensively improve the off-road capabilities of your Toyota Tacoma. If you chose a lift kit, then most definitely it’s supplier provided you with a maximum available tire size for your model. Just follow the recommendations and choose A/T or M/T tires that fit in your budget. If you aren’t sure which tires to choose, check our M/T and A/T tire comparison.
A/T
- Pros: All-Terrain is a universal type of off-road tire that performs perfectly in the sand, ok on gravel, ok in the snow, and bad in dirt and mud. Thanks to the less aggressive tire tread than M/Ts it behaves much better on concrete roads, providing a better gas mileage and quieter ride.
- Cons: Useless in deep mud.
M/T
- Pros: Mud Terrain is an advanced type of offroad tire, that works great on pretty much any terrain including mud, rocks, snow, and even sand.
- Cons: Due to the aggressive tread patterns it doesn’t do great in terms of handling on paved roads. It’s a lot noisier and wears out faster.
What lift should I choose to install 33, 34, or 35-inch tires on a Toyota Tacoma?
There is a wide choice of aftermarket suspension lift kits available for Toyota Tacoma, starting from simple 1″ and 2″ space, up to 4-6″ long-travel suspension kits. You can read more about them in this article.
Spacer Lift Kits
- TORCH 3″ Lift Kit with Differential Drop – Good for 31.5-32″ tires on 2005-2022 Toyota Tacoma 4×4/TRD/SR5. 33″s may be installed with some modifications as per the manufacturer.
Full Suspension Lift Kits (with shocks, struts or coilovers).
- Old Man Emu 2-3″ Full Suspension Lift Kit with baypass shocks for 2nd & 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma – Recommended Tire Size: Tacoma 2nd Gen 265-70R17 (31.65”), 275-70R17 (31.65”). Tacoma 3rd Gen 265-75R16 (31.65”), 285-75R16 (32.83”), 265-70R17 (31.65”), 275-70R17 (31.65”).
- Superlift 3″ Lift Kit – with Rear Shadow Series Shocks & Front Upper Control Arms – Adds clearance for up to 33” tires for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma (Will Not fit TRD Pro Models).
- ReadyLift SST 3″ front / 2″ rear Lift Kit with Biltein Shocks and rear Blocks – Good for 33″ tires. Popular tire choices with this kit are 285/65-18 on 18×9 0 offset or 285/70-17 on 17×8 0 offset.
- Rough Country 3.5″ Bolt-On Lift Kit w/N3 Struts – Good for 33″ tires for 2005-2023 Tacoma.
- Rough Country 3.5″ Bolt-On Lift Kit with Vertex Adjustable Coilovers – Good for 33″ tires for 2005-2023 Tacoma.
As you see, it is absolutely possible to install larger 33″ on your Toyota Tacoma, while 35″ tires will require more serious modifications. Choosing a perfect wheel combo requires a bit of research and measuring, but it is much easier to rely on the experience of the owners who already completed this sort of modification. We encourage you to check forums and Tacoma features on our site to find the look you want, and get the parts used on this particular vehicle. As an alternative, you can always rely on professional advice from experienced professionals at your local shop or take advantage of phone or online support at the online shop you trust.
Disclaimer
*Since the suspension modifications and the installation of the oversized tires require advanced measurements and depend on many parameters, such as vehicle sub-model, trim level, state of the suspension components, aftermarket upgrades, etc., we highly recommend confirming fitment parameters for your particular vehicle with the sales representative of your lift and tire supplier before making a purchase. The recommendations in this article are presented for general informational purposes only, so we are not responsible for any problems with the wheel and tire fitment or any other damage that may occur to your vehicle.
