Your Toyota Tacoma isn’t just big – it’s a force of nature. With its time-tested durability and performance, it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most popular off-road trucks. Now that you’ve driven it off the lot, it’s up to you to make it the wilderness-conquering machine it was meant to be. Tacoma wheels and tires are a popular upgrade choice, and there are lots of possibilities available on the market. Keep reading to learn how you can pick ones that best suit your new Tacoma.

Choosing Your Tires

When you see an aggressive-looking set of tires, it’s natural to want them on your truck. Let’s be honest – they look wickedly cool. But if you’re like most other off-roaders, you understand that terrain and performance should guide how you choose your truck wheels and tires. With that said, let’s dive into some pointers for picking your upgrades.

Before you order any tire, you must first make sure it can deliver solid traction on your typical type of terrain. Design features can tell you a lot about its purpose. For example, the Pro Comp Xtreme M/T 2 radial features alternating scalloped shoulder lugs plus elliptical siping and enhanced upper sidewalls. You’ll also notice its two-step tread block design. Together, these provide dependable traction on mud and wet surfaces plus long-lasting wear and damage resistance.

While many tires are designed for optimal performance on specific terrain types, they’re also versatile enough to handle multi-terrain riding. The Xtreme M/T 2’s tread can also confidently handle rocks and dirt, making it a great choice if you’re riding on both soft and hard ground. You can also look at all-terrain tires like the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s. It combines bruise-resistant sidewalls with durable tread rubber, an interlocking tread design, stone ejectors and an advanced tire footprint shape.

Shopping for Your Wheels

Finding your tires is one thing. Now, you need to select the best wheels for mounting. Materials, construction and weight are three key considerations when you’re shopping for rims. Steel wheels are almost indestructible, but they’re heavier than their aluminum cousins. On the flip side, aluminum wheels can handle most types of riding while remaining durable. But if you’re going over especially challenging terrain, they can end up with some damage.

Load rating is another consideration when you’re looking for wheels. This spec tells you how much weight a particular wheel can handle. Multiply that by four and you’ll get the load capacity of all four wheels. Newer Tacoma trucks weigh between 4,000 and 4,500 pounds with no cargo, so you must ensure that the wheels you buy can handle that load.

Where To Shop for Tires and Wheels

Now that you have some idea of what’s out there, you may be ready to go shopping. For best results, get your tires and wheels from a reputable dealer of Toyota Tacoma aftermarket parts. Retailers that specialize in off-roading gear have broader parts selections and understand the rigors your truck will face. Their expertise can be invaluable when buying tires, wheels or any other parts for your Tacoma.