2014 Toyota Tacoma
The 2014 Toyota Tacoma is available in Regular Cab, Access Cab, and Double Cab body styles. Toyota discontinued the sportier Tacoma X-Runner model for 2014. In return, the automaker introduced a new SR appearance package with body-color exterior trim, black 16-inch alloy wheels, turn signals in the side mirrors, standard fog lights, and smoked headlights for V6 models. As usual, the 2014 Tacoma has a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the 4.0-liter V6 pumps out 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Tacoma Regular and Access Cab versions have a five-speed manual stick, while the Tacoma Access Cab and Double Cab have a standard four-speed automatic. The automatic gearbox is optional across the lineup.
Unleash More Power and Torque
The 2014 Toyota Tacoma is not the most potent midsize truck in the block, especially if your vehicle has the standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. However, installing a high-quality and high-flow cold air intake is an easy and hassle-free way to unleash more horsepower and torque. High-performance cold air intakes allow the motor to gulp down larger volumes of colder air. When it comes to combustion, colder air is denser and packs more oxygen, allowing for more fuel to be added therefore a more powerful combustion. Most cold air intakes feature a reusable cone-shaped air filter that traps dirt and contaminants - through a depth-loading process - without impeding the airflow.
Lift It Up
Installing a lift kit is a surefire way to improve the looks, stance, and rock-climbing capabilities of your 2014 Tacoma. Lift kits are available in various configurations, and choosing the best type will depend on the size of the tires and how high you’re willing to go. For Tacomas that want to fit 31-inch tires, a one or two-inch lift kit is the way to go, but consider a three to five-inch lift kit if you plan on installing up to 33-inch all-terrain tires. A six to eight-inch lift kit will accommodate a 35" tire. Lifting your 2014 Taco can create additional wear on other components due to the change in suspension and steering geometry. This is many found with the larger lift kits. To counter this, a complete kit should include all the necessary components (control arms, adjusted shocks, revised brackets) to bring everything back into alignment.
The Chunkier, The Better
The great thing about the 2014 Toyota Tacoma is its versatility. Leave it stock, and it performs pretty well in everyday driving. But if you give it a lift kit and some chunky tires, the Tacoma transforms into a capable, all-conquering off-road machine, no small wonder why the Tacoma remains popular in the used car market. For occasional off-roading, all-terrain (A/T) tires are a sterling choice. Modern A/T tires have hybrid capabilities and combine rugged performance with a decently comfortable highway ride, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Their hybrid tread compound provides good traction on a large variety of surfaces, is resilient to puncture yet still flexible enough to absorb regular trail impacts. If the plan is to conquer treacherous muddy trails, nothing beats the sure-footed grip of mud-terrain tires (M/T). Mud tires have gigantic tread blocks and larger voids to expel more mud while maintaining a steady grip over loose surfaces. Of course, given their extremely aggressive tread knobs, mud tires will produce more road noise over an all-terrain version.
