2016 Toyota Tundra
The 2016 Toyota Tundra is available in regular cab, double cab, and crew cab body styles. The Tundra is also available in two wheelbase lengths and three bed lengths, the longest of which is an 8.1-foot bed. Under the hood is a standard 4.6-liter V8 engine pumping out 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque. Higher trim models get a larger 5.7-liter V8 mill with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The Tundra has standard rear-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. No matter which, all 2016 Toyota Tundras have a six-speed automatic gearbox. Trying to capture more of the trail-going crowd, the TRD Off-Road Package for this year includes unique 18-inch TRD wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, off-road tuned dampers, a pair of front tow hooks and several underbody skid plates.
Heighten the Fun Factor
With or without the TRD Off-Road package, the 2016 Tundra is a capable off-road machine, made even better with the select lift kit. When choosing a lift kit for a 2016 Tundra pickup, make sure to select the correct height according to your truck’s tire size (or intended tire size, if you plan on changing out the tires) and driving use. For those that appreciate the look of a lifted Tundra pickup but don't have significant aspirations to push through the wilderness, then a spacer style kit is a solid choice. The most inexpensive of the bunch, these type of lift systems use spring spacers and lift blocks to raise the body of the truck, without any effect on suspension travel or articulation. At the other end of the spectrum are kits that are fully geared to increase both ground clearance, suspension travel and articulation. This type of leveling system will include new dampeners, spacers, springs and any accordingly modified steering/suspension piece needed in to keep proper geometry. These kits start to become to only real option available when looking to push past 4" of lift, as corrective action is generally required to keep the steering and drive line components within spec.
Upgraded Stopping Power
In the world of off-road trucks, there is no such thing as having too much braking power. The stock brakes in your 2016 Toyota Tundra are good enough for light to moderate towing, trailering, and off-roading. But if your truck does a lot of heavy towing or hauling, upgrading to a high-performance brake kit is a must. The Tundra comes with four-wheel disk brakes from the factory with 13.8-inch rotors in the front and 13.6-inch rotors in the back. Installing a nice set of drilled and slotted rotors will improve your truck’s stopping power while minimizing brake fade. Brake fade is a phenomenon that occurs when the braking surfaces get too hot. While having some heat in the pad can make it bite better, overheating the pad will totally break down its friction abilities and essentially the pad will simply glaze along the rotor. When this happens, no amount of mashing down the brake pedal will create any effectual braking action. Mitigating brake fade involves keeping the braking system cool. A slotted and drilled rotor aids with this - the slots provide channels for the gases created during braking to escape, and the cross-drilled holes remove small amounts of mass from the rotor to aid in heat dissipation. Additionally, performance pads feature more aggressive compounds that bite harder and have a higher thermal threshold.
Updated Style
You are never bereft of choice when upgrading the styling of your Toyota Tundra. The most basic styling upgrade is new front and rear bumpers to give your truck a more rugged, go-anywhere vibe. More than just a styling accessory, aftermarket bumpers are more rigid, more durable, and offer way more capability than the factory pieces. Focused mainly on off-road capability, aftermarket bumpers can improve the approach and departure angle of your rig, which reflects the angle at which the bottom of the bumper rises in comparison to the ground. A steeper approach and departure angle give the bumper better clearance over obstacles as the truck rides over, reducing the chancing of getting hung up on the bumper. In addition, many of the bumpers feature built-in LED fog lights or built-in provisions for adding a winch, skid plates, or top bars. If you prefer the stock bumpers, installing a bull bar or brush guards will better protect against bumps and scratches caused by wayward branches and other trail obstructions. Best of all, off-road bumpers and bull bars come in various designs and finishes to give your truck a custom look.
