06' DC TRD OR 4X4 w/ VSC &TRAC...can I put bigger tires on?? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

paulphilly · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 10:16 PM

Sorry for so many posts lately everyone, but I am so dang excited about my new Taco that I cant stand it....and, I have alot of questions (so please bare with me).

My truck is a DC TRD Off-road 4X4 with VSC and Trac. Now, I did a search and it doesnt appear that many us know alot about this feature other than what we have read (a few have used this feature). Further, I read on a previous post that larger tires possibly can/will screw with the electronic system on VSC/TRAC system. Is this true? I plan to put on some better rubber immediately and go up 1 size. But, is this a bad idea since I have VSC?

TACODOC · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 10:19 PM

You should be OK IMO, just dont go bigger than say, a 285...

MERCULA · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 10:20 PM

I cant answer your question but dont worry about asking too many questions , We all went through this , still are in fact .

paulphilly · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MERCULA

I cant answer your question but dont worry about asking too many questions , We all went through this , still are in fact .

Thanks, I really appreciate it. I cant begin to explain how much I love this truck. For example, in the last 7 years I have owned a Ford 150, Nissan Titan, Chevy Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Toyota 4runner, and a 99' tacoma. I have not liked any of them as much as this model Tacoma. My Tundra AC was nice along with my 4Runner, but there is something about this Tacoma. It actually fits all my needs and is the perfect size for a truck. I dont know if it can get much better.....maybe a sunroof??

Two4X4 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 04:27 AM

I have the same truck you do, it has everything. I wanted VSC and TRAC because we have freqquent ice storms and while my wife's Jeep Liberty is solid on the ice my ex-Tundra 4X4 was helpless virtually. These features do work their magic but they have downsides. For one thing, the system installed in Toyotas can not be switched off nor does it have driver selectable modes. It is on all the time. I definitly notice the system, I live on a dirt/gravel road. I always "peel" out whe I turn on to the road--until now---this truck does not spin it's tires at all, the throttle seems to cut out until I mash the pedal all the way down nearly at which point the program appears to be overridden by the throttle position sensor?
I think it will be OK to go up one size, maybe, even 285 size but beyond that I suspect the system will be compromised and may interfere with normal driving. As it is now it is essentially transparent, hardly noticed except when it is needed but changing things like tire sizes could cause the computer program to do odd things.
I plan to either stick with my stock size but go to BFG ATs or possibly go to a 75 sidewall. Since I do plan a mild lift with REAL coilovers and perhaps a custom rear leaf I will probably want a sligtly larger tire--but---these are not exactly small tires---it is just that the BFG Rugged Trails are so measly looking. I saw a Taco with 265-70 BFG ATs and it looked just great. Realy big tires have other bad effects other than possibly messing with automatic systems. Unless you are truely running out of clearance or traction while off road then I would stay with close to stock size for all around vehicle performance on and off the road.

Just think about this--when all the guys without TRAC are slipping and slideing you will be GOING. While I have not had the Taco on ice I have driven other TRAC type systems on other vehicles including a Toyota 4Runner and it works great--IT WORKS. It is like ABS but for going --not stopping---it allows you to steer and control the vehicle under conditoins that send other vehicles spinning. In a sports car I would want a switch to turn it off because sometimes you like to burn rubber and spin around but I like it on this truck.

There maybe a way to disarm the system for summer use with big tires and then for winter go back to "snow" tires of a stock size and rearm the system. I suspect however if this is possible you will loose everything including ABS when you do and you may have annoying warning signals on the tachometer "condition/status" display.

Two4X4 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 04:36 AM

One other thing, the other day while driving at 70 MPH on the freeway a car cut across the median and caused traffic everywhere to go skidding this way and that. If I had been in my Tundra I most likely would have gone off the road and it certainly would have been skidding and sliding, the Tacoma with VSC, TRAC and ABS cut and sliced between all the sliding cars like a razor on rails, no skidding, no sliding, it felt secure as I steered around one car spinning backwards as I slalomed amongst the chaos. The system works. How do I know the system was engaged?, TRAC type systems produce a weird nose under the hood and under the car and it was making all sorts off noises---ignore the noise and steer the car! If I cannot mount humongous tires then so be it, I prefer what I got, it is freaking awesome.

dickinsonj · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulphilly

Thanks, I really appreciate it. I cant begin to explain how much I love this truck. For example, in the last 7 years I have owned a Ford 150, Nissan Titan, Chevy Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Toyota 4runner, and a 99' tacoma. I have not liked any of them as much as this model Tacoma. My Tundra AC was nice along with my 4Runner, but there is something about this Tacoma. It actually fits all my needs and is the perfect size for a truck. I dont know if it can get much better.....maybe a sunroof??

I know exactly how you feel – I can’t believe how happy I am with my Tacoma. Talking to other Tacoma owners on line is just one more way to enjoy your truck and learn more about it. TS rocks! I have driven many trucks for work, but this is the first truck that I have owned. I have always felt that I didn’t want to put up with the drawbacks of a truck in a personal vehicle. I now really need a truck and I no longer work where I can borrow one, so it was time to get my own. I have had some really cool cars – an Audi S4, a Supra, two MR2s and I still own a Lexus SC300 – but I don’t think that any of them have impressed me as much as this Tacoma!

TacomaOffRoadGrl · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulphilly

Thanks, I really appreciate it. I cant begin to explain how much I love this truck. For example, in the last 7 years I have owned a Ford 150, Nissan Titan, Chevy Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Toyota 4runner, and a 99' tacoma. I have not liked any of them as much as this model Tacoma. My Tundra AC was nice along with my 4Runner, but there is something about this Tacoma. It actually fits all my needs and is the perfect size for a truck. I dont know if it can get much better.....maybe a sunroof??

Couldn't have said it better. Perfect size truck and fits all my needs too. Now a sunroof would be bliss!