Stay Wild Outdoors
Observer
I never could get used to the 255s, it just doesnt fill out the wheel well, or give it a stout enough stance. Should look good with the 35s.
Battleship Jones: 2015 Tacoma DCLB Build Thread
- Thread starter Adventurous
- Start date
Adventurous
Explorer
Another piece of the puzzle shows up. My SCS F-5s in matte gunmetal arrived last night. They are 16x8 with 3.5" backspacing. It should give the 315s enough room to breathe while providing just the right amount of poke.
20150811-P1010430 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
Picking up a set of black rear fender flares tonight that I will sacrifice for any necessary flare chopping. I'll be on the lookout for a set of fronts to match. That way should I need to go back to a stock look I can just put my original ones back on and call it good.
20150811-P1010430 by Tim Souza, on FlickrPicking up a set of black rear fender flares tonight that I will sacrifice for any necessary flare chopping. I'll be on the lookout for a set of fronts to match. That way should I need to go back to a stock look I can just put my original ones back on and call it good.
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Adventurous
Explorer
Totally agree. A truck with this large of proportions just needs something a little bit wider to look right. I will say though that the access cab models and DCSB can pull off the tall and skinny look without looking weird.
Adventurous
Explorer
Hmm, having second thoughts about the 35s. Not because I don't think they would look better, but more because I'm a bit wary of doing the fender trimming necessary to stuff them in there. Thoughts?
brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
Haha I've been quiet, but I would be having second thoughts too!
Not just because of trimming, but handling in general. The tacomas have pretty light duty front ends, light steering racks and bushing, light control arm bushings etc. I could feel a change in driving dynamics just stepping up to the FJ wheels with a slightly wider stance. When you hit a bump or rut, the wheel/tire is more easily deflected. I know I'm not explaining that right but it's due to having less back spacing, and the wheel/tire having more leverage against the steering and suspension. I cant imagine it will feel good with 35s and such little back spacing. I think braking will be tolerable if you're reasonable light. Acceleration won't be so fun, trans temps will be high (you might be surprised how easily it heats up with the 255s).
Just my thoughts though. It's going to take a whole lot of trimming just to decide if you like it. For another inch of ground clearance. Most of the tacomas I see around here with 35s have 6" of lift and a fair amount of trimming. Stock gearing (sounds painful) and no off road.
But it's your truck!
Personally I like the way mine looks with the FJ wheels and st maxx 255s. Not especially aggressive but they don't look so narrow and tucked in. The stock wheels sit further in the fenders and the km2s have a very narrow tread pattern. If you're going for a most aggressive look, I'd think about something similar or maybe trd fake beadlocks with 285s. Better looking stance but with a little less headache. Though it will probably still require a cab mount chop.
Not just because of trimming, but handling in general. The tacomas have pretty light duty front ends, light steering racks and bushing, light control arm bushings etc. I could feel a change in driving dynamics just stepping up to the FJ wheels with a slightly wider stance. When you hit a bump or rut, the wheel/tire is more easily deflected. I know I'm not explaining that right but it's due to having less back spacing, and the wheel/tire having more leverage against the steering and suspension. I cant imagine it will feel good with 35s and such little back spacing. I think braking will be tolerable if you're reasonable light. Acceleration won't be so fun, trans temps will be high (you might be surprised how easily it heats up with the 255s).
Just my thoughts though. It's going to take a whole lot of trimming just to decide if you like it. For another inch of ground clearance. Most of the tacomas I see around here with 35s have 6" of lift and a fair amount of trimming. Stock gearing (sounds painful) and no off road.
But it's your truck!
Personally I like the way mine looks with the FJ wheels and st maxx 255s. Not especially aggressive but they don't look so narrow and tucked in. The stock wheels sit further in the fenders and the km2s have a very narrow tread pattern. If you're going for a most aggressive look, I'd think about something similar or maybe trd fake beadlocks with 285s. Better looking stance but with a little less headache. Though it will probably still require a cab mount chop.
DaVikes
Adventurer
Things to think about
The prior owner of my truck had 315's on it for a while. One issue is that he had to do a cab mount chop. That isn't bad if done well, but it may make the truck harder to sell. Also, he ended up trimming the rear fender flares for clearance. Another challenge with 315's is that between the additional weight, and leverage from the offset, they put more stress on the front wheel bearings. One of mine was toast at 50k miles, so I replaced both. Now it's on 285's, and I hope they last longer. 285's put more stress on the bearing due to offset than 255's, but not as much as 315's. I like the ride & handling with 285's, but I can't say how much trimming you will need to do, as my trimming was done. Also, the heavier the wheels and tires are, the worse the truck rides. The tires and wheels are unsprung weight that the suspension has to control. Some people don't mind, but mine is my DD. Also, larger/heavier tires and wheels increase your braking distance a bit, and you may feel like you need to regear.
All these things are personal preference, of course. I can see with the size of your truck why you'd like a bigger tire. I'm not sure how skinny a 35 you can get, which would offset some of the problems above.
Congrat's on your engagement! Now I know the motivation for the world's fastest build.
Ross
Founding member of Overthinker's Anonymous
The prior owner of my truck had 315's on it for a while. One issue is that he had to do a cab mount chop. That isn't bad if done well, but it may make the truck harder to sell. Also, he ended up trimming the rear fender flares for clearance. Another challenge with 315's is that between the additional weight, and leverage from the offset, they put more stress on the front wheel bearings. One of mine was toast at 50k miles, so I replaced both. Now it's on 285's, and I hope they last longer. 285's put more stress on the bearing due to offset than 255's, but not as much as 315's. I like the ride & handling with 285's, but I can't say how much trimming you will need to do, as my trimming was done. Also, the heavier the wheels and tires are, the worse the truck rides. The tires and wheels are unsprung weight that the suspension has to control. Some people don't mind, but mine is my DD. Also, larger/heavier tires and wheels increase your braking distance a bit, and you may feel like you need to regear.
All these things are personal preference, of course. I can see with the size of your truck why you'd like a bigger tire. I'm not sure how skinny a 35 you can get, which would offset some of the problems above.
Congrat's on your engagement! Now I know the motivation for the world's fastest build.
Ross
Founding member of Overthinker's Anonymous
Adventurous
Explorer
All good points guys. Up until now the desire to "balance" things out in my mind has been the main force in driving this move. Unfortunately the rational part of my brain has been clawing back into the argument recently bringing up the reduced reliability and increased wear as well as the extensive modifications necessary to fit those tires in there. For little tangible benefit mind you and there are probably a lot more downsides than that are upsides in making that move.
That being said, I now have a sweet set of SCS F-5 rims in 3.5" backspacing that are just laying around my garage. I'm thinking of just throwing the 255/85s on there for the time being until this recent bout of dipsh!ttitude passes.
That being said, I now have a sweet set of SCS F-5 rims in 3.5" backspacing that are just laying around my garage. I'm thinking of just throwing the 255/85s on there for the time being until this recent bout of dipsh!ttitude passes.
Watt maker
Active member
An option to running 315's or 35/12.50's is to use a 285/75/17. Although not a real common size, Toyo produces these in both AT's and MT's. I can tell you from first hand experience, these are just as tall as 315's without the extra width. They are heavy though.
Stay Wild Outdoors
Observer
Are you not a fan of the 285/70/16s? They have a lot more stance to them then the 255s and you dont have to get as crazy with trimming and the cmc as the 35s...
Adventurous
Explorer
The weight is part of the equation now as outside factors are weighing on my decisions at this point. The significant other is only a year out from attending nursing school and we will be reduced to a single income household. I'm now fighting the internal fight of paying down debts and preparing myself financially for the next few years versus spending some disposable income on my truck.
I've actually been warming up to that size lately, though, in an ironic twist of events, am starting to get leery of the cab mount chop and trimming of items other than plastic. I know the sweet spot for the 285s tends to be 4.5BS rims. I'll have to research what's involved with 3.5BS since that's what I have at my disposal.
Adventurous
Explorer
So I ended up having the 255/85s installed on the SCS rims yesterday. The stance on the truck is much better and the wider rims have given the tires a better profile IMO. I'll get some better pictures this weekend, they are pretty slick.
Initial impressions after driving it are that there IS a noticeable throttle response due to the lighter wheel weight. I'm finding that I don't need as much throttle to maintain speed up hills. So that's kind of cool. I've also noticed that moving the wider track width gives the truck a more more planted feel (DUH). The handling now feels, dare I say, somewhat snappy. There was some rubbing initially while street driving on the plastic inner fender liner on the driver's side. Not entirely surprising as I rubbed that same location with the stockers and Spidertrax spacers. This is probably just a result of the plastic being somewhat deformed after ice formed behind that this past winter and pushed it out into the wheel well. That deformation didn't happen on the passenger side and I have never rubbed there. I trimmed a little bit of that plastic corner off and haven't rubbed any more, though I do need to check out clearances at full stuff.
Initial impressions after driving it are that there IS a noticeable throttle response due to the lighter wheel weight. I'm finding that I don't need as much throttle to maintain speed up hills. So that's kind of cool. I've also noticed that moving the wider track width gives the truck a more more planted feel (DUH). The handling now feels, dare I say, somewhat snappy. There was some rubbing initially while street driving on the plastic inner fender liner on the driver's side. Not entirely surprising as I rubbed that same location with the stockers and Spidertrax spacers. This is probably just a result of the plastic being somewhat deformed after ice formed behind that this past winter and pushed it out into the wheel well. That deformation didn't happen on the passenger side and I have never rubbed there. I trimmed a little bit of that plastic corner off and haven't rubbed any more, though I do need to check out clearances at full stuff.
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Watt maker
Active member
Post some pics of the new wheels on your Taco if you don't mind.
Adventurous
Explorer
So we went camping this weekend up in Red Feather, CO. No offroading was in the cards, more just a relaxing weekend of camping before the fiancee begins school tomorrow. We drove on up Friday night and once again, I was very thankful I had the el cheap $70 Amazon light bar for the Forest Service roads. It makes such a fantastic difference lighting up not only the road but the sides of the road as well.
And in no particular order, we shot bows
20150822-DSC_0808 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
we shot shotguns and clays (no pictures), and target shot clays with an AR15 (at which I was good with iron sights to 150 yards). After having not shot clays in 10 years, a 50% success rate seemed pretty good. And having never shot an AR15 I was pleasantly surprised to find I was the best shot in the group even shooting while standing.
In truck related funsies, I did a little bit of puddle bashing on the way in...
20150823-DSC_0822 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
which of course means that the truck looks like it was plastered in diarrhea.
Shots of the new wheels...
20150822-DSC_0802 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
20150822-DSC_0800 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
20150822-DSC_0798 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
A gratuitous shot of my adorable puppy
20150822-DSC_0708 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
It was somewhat embarrassing to see how much litter was in the camp site. There was copious amounts of broken glass, various pieces of trash, and lots of brass. I probably spent 2 hours picking up after others and collected a bag with probably 250 pieces of brass in various calibers.
Given that the space int he bed is limited because of the mattress and platform, I think I will invest in some all weather rifle cases to mount to the roof rack. Although we managed to fit everything we carried I think they would be good storage for our various toys that come along. Something safe, out of the way, and weatherproof. Another detail for another time!
And in no particular order, we shot bows
20150822-DSC_0808 by Tim Souza, on Flickrwe shot shotguns and clays (no pictures), and target shot clays with an AR15 (at which I was good with iron sights to 150 yards). After having not shot clays in 10 years, a 50% success rate seemed pretty good. And having never shot an AR15 I was pleasantly surprised to find I was the best shot in the group even shooting while standing.
In truck related funsies, I did a little bit of puddle bashing on the way in...
20150823-DSC_0822 by Tim Souza, on Flickrwhich of course means that the truck looks like it was plastered in diarrhea.
Shots of the new wheels...
20150822-DSC_0802 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
20150822-DSC_0800 by Tim Souza, on Flickr
20150822-DSC_0798 by Tim Souza, on FlickrA gratuitous shot of my adorable puppy
20150822-DSC_0708 by Tim Souza, on FlickrIt was somewhat embarrassing to see how much litter was in the camp site. There was copious amounts of broken glass, various pieces of trash, and lots of brass. I probably spent 2 hours picking up after others and collected a bag with probably 250 pieces of brass in various calibers.
Given that the space int he bed is limited because of the mattress and platform, I think I will invest in some all weather rifle cases to mount to the roof rack. Although we managed to fit everything we carried I think they would be good storage for our various toys that come along. Something safe, out of the way, and weatherproof. Another detail for another time!
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brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
Well it definitely looks better!
I hear you on the littering. I've been seeing more and more in the last couple years close to home. More and more people are moving in for high tech jobs from the south and mid west, and camping spots and river play spots are starting to look more like places I've been in the south. Lots of trash thrown out and a lot more cigarette smokers throwing butts out. It is infuriating. We witnessed a lot of it the other weekend playing at the river. Of course we went back with trash bags and picked up their **** but I fear it is just getting worse and worse. This is after I spent 30 minutes picking up cigarette butts in and around our camp sites after my 15 month old picked up a cigarette butt and tried to put it in her mouth.
I hear you on the littering. I've been seeing more and more in the last couple years close to home. More and more people are moving in for high tech jobs from the south and mid west, and camping spots and river play spots are starting to look more like places I've been in the south. Lots of trash thrown out and a lot more cigarette smokers throwing butts out. It is infuriating. We witnessed a lot of it the other weekend playing at the river. Of course we went back with trash bags and picked up their **** but I fear it is just getting worse and worse. This is after I spent 30 minutes picking up cigarette butts in and around our camp sites after my 15 month old picked up a cigarette butt and tried to put it in her mouth.
Looks like a fun weekend! I've been following your build, because its similar to how I want to set my truck up. I just wanted to caution you on the below statement:
Rifles and shotguns are expensive and have great resale value so they're big theft targets. Even if the cases are empty, they're usually easily recognized as gun cases. I'd hate to see someone screw up your rack system or otherwise mess up your truck trying to cut them off the rack. If it were me, I'd find a way to hide the guns inside the truck somehow, perhaps under the rear seats?
Rifles and shotguns are expensive and have great resale value so they're big theft targets. Even if the cases are empty, they're usually easily recognized as gun cases. I'd hate to see someone screw up your rack system or otherwise mess up your truck trying to cut them off the rack. If it were me, I'd find a way to hide the guns inside the truck somehow, perhaps under the rear seats?