Off-Road Armor & Suspension

Yes—adding steel bumpers, armor, and 33–35” tires will impact your vehicle’s performance to some degree. Larger tires increase rolling resistance and change your effective gearing, while additional weight can affect acceleration, braking, and shift points.

Do you need to re-gear?

It depends. If you're running 35s or constantly hauling extra trail weight, re-gearing is highly recommended to restore throttle response and reduce strain on your drivetrain. That said, many Toyota owners run larger tires for years without re-gearing. Some notice a difference immediately, while others adapt without issue. It’s a personal decision based on how and where you drive.

These performance effects are exactly why we design our products the way we do. At DRT, we believe armor should enhance your build—not weigh it down unnecessarily. All of our bumpers and structural components are engineered with intentional design—using 3/16” A36 steel, smart gusset placement, and efficient geometry to maximize strength without excess bulk.

We’re not just building parts—we’re building systems that work together to support your vehicle’s performance over time. Whether you choose to re-gear now or down the road, DRT bumpers are built to give you the protection you need while keeping your rig as responsive and reliable as possible.

The real answer is -- there isn't a "best" one size fits all setup. But there are companies that provide the best pieces for the best suspension tailored to your build.

Overlanding suspension setups must align with the load you're carrying. While lightweight daily drivers may perform adequately with entry-level preload collars, adding steel bumpers, roof racks, rooftop tents, or recovery gear necessitates a suspension tuned for constant load.

Recognizing the importance of a cohesive build, we've partnered with industry-leading brands whose commitment to quality and design intention aligns with ours.

ADS Shocks:

Renowned for their race-proven technology, ADS's 2.5 Series shocks offer enhanced fluid capacity to resist shock fade, ensuring consistent performance during off-road adventures. Their direct-fit design simplifies installation, and features like internal rebound springs and stainless steel hardware provide durability against corrosion and enhance ride characteristics. These shocks are also rebuildable, offering long-term value for overlanders.

Which ADS Shocks Are Right for You?

ADS Mesa Series (2.5”)

Ideal for daily drivers, weekend warriors, and overland builds seeking race-quality performance without complexity. These direct-fit shocks offer enhanced cooling, larger fluid capacity, and durable anodized hardware, making them perfect for dependable performance on and off the trail—with simple bolt-on convenience and long-term serviceability.

ADS OEM Replacement Race Shocks (with Reservoirs)

Best suited for hardcore off-roaders, long-travel setups, and high-performance trail rigs. These shocks feature external reservoirs, race-grade valving, and tunable performance designed to handle repeated hits, high speeds, and aggressive terrain. If you’re pushing your suspension to the limit, these are the shocks built to keep up.

BTF Fabrication:

Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in Toyota suspension, BTF Fabrication has earned its reputation through over two decades of proven performance and precision engineering. Their lineup ranges from caster-correcting upper control arms for lifted daily drivers to race-proven long-travel suspension systems designed to dominate in the dirt. Every component—whether it’s an upper control arm (UCA), stock-width lower control arm (LCA), or full long-travel (LT) kit—is built with high-strength steel and quality components like FK uniballs and polyurethane bushings, ensuring long-lasting durability and flawless function under extreme conditions. BTF’s commitment to quality and fitment makes them the go-to choice for Toyota owners looking for suspension that performs as hard as they drive—whether on the trail or on the daily commute.

DuroBumps:

These premium bump stops are engineered with dual durometer rubber, delivering progressive dampening to reduce hard bottom-outs. This design not only enhances ride comfort but also protects suspension components from damage, extending their lifespan. DuroBumps are application-specific, ensuring a precise fit for various Toyota models. With their attention to detail and rigorous testing, it makes DuroBumps an easy choice.

DRT Fabrication Suspension Components:

At DRT Fabrication, our products are crafted with an "intentional design" philosophy. This means every gusset, bend, weld, and component is methodically designed or selected to maximize strength without unnecessary weight. By optimizing structural integrity through strategic design, we ensure our products are robust and perform at the highest level possible.

Beyond partnering with top-tier brands, DRT Fabrication offers a line of in-house suspension components designed to complement and enhance your vehicle's performance including: Shackle hangers, Shock Relocations, Custom spec leaf springs, Fabricated spindles and more.

With our extensive experience in the industry, we've identified and curated these core brands and developed our own line of suspension components to complement both our products and theirs. Whether you're seeking individual components or complete kits, DRT Fabrication offers solutions that eliminate guesswork, ensuring your overland build is both reliable and performance-optimized.

Fitting larger tires on a Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner requires more than just a cab mount chop (CMC)—tire width, offset, and suspension articulation all play a role.

As a rule of thumb:

34” and larger require a Cab Mount Relocation (CMR)

under 34” can clear with just a Cab Mount Chop (CMC), but as you get closer to that 34" mark you will need the right offset and minimal width to clear for daily driving.

The wider the tire and more negative the wheel offset, the greater the likelihood of rubbing—especially during full lock or suspension compression. Some may claim 35s "fit" with only a CMC, but in reality, those setups often work only on pavement. Off-road articulation reveals the truth fast—and it’s not worth shredding your tires or mounts to find out.

That’s why thousands of Toyota owners have trusted DRT’s Cab Mount Relocation kits. Engineered for precision fitment and built with the same strength-focused mindset that defines all our products, our Cab Mount Relocation kits are the #1 choice for both durability and clearance. Whether you're daily driving or flexing on technical trails, DRT's CMR gives you the confidence to run 35s properly—with the clearance to back it up.

Aluminum bumpers offer weight savings, but when it comes to recovery strength, impact resistance, and long-term durability, steel is the standard—especially in real off-road conditions. That’s why at DRT Fabrication, we choose steel—specifically A36 high tensile HRPO—for every bumper and armor product we build.

Our bumpers are laser cut, formed, and hand MIG-welded with precision, using a process rooted in what we call intentional design—where every gusset, weld, and bend is placed to maximize strength without unnecessary weight. We’re committed to providing products that hold up to real use—not just the showroom.

DRT products aren’t just for the fully-built rigs hitting Moab every weekend. They’re also for the Toyota owner who values reliability and confidence during the occasional trail run, family camping trip, or light off-road adventure. No matter the terrain or frequency of use, steel offers the resilience and performance drivers can count on year after year.

We build every bumper with longevity in mind—because overland gear shouldn’t be something you have to second-guess. Steel simply performs better in the environments where it matters most, and that’s why thousands of Toyota owners choose DRT when it’s time to upgrade their vehicle.

If weight is a primary concern, consider our Crossmember Delete Front Bumper (CMD) for the 2016–2023 Tacoma. This innovative design eliminates the factory lower crossmember, replacing it with a heavy-duty integrated crossmember that serves as a mounting base for both the bumper and the included 3/16" steel skid plate. The CMD bumper itself weighs only 69 lbs(nice), offering significant weight savings without compromising strength.

To further reduce front-end weight without sacrificing performance, we recommend pairing any DRT bumper with the Carbon Offroad 12K winch.

This winch is notably lightweight, with the total package—including synthetic rope, control box, cables, mounting bolts, and fairlead—weighing approximately 23.45 kg (about 51.7 lbs). Despite its light weight, the Carbon 12K winch delivers a 12,000 lb line pull capacity, making it a reliable choice for off-road recovery situations. Its compact design and reduced weight make it an excellent match for the CMD bumper, helping to maintain your vehicle's performance and handling characteristics.

For comparison:

Carbon Offroad 12K Winch: Approximately 51.7 lbs (with synthetic rope)


WARN ZEON 12-S: Approximately 98 lbs


Badland Apex 12K: Approximately 86.8 lbs

By choosing the Carbon Offroad 12K winch in combination with our CMD bumper, you can achieve significant weight savings—up to 46 lbs compared to some of the winch setups—without compromising on strength or reliability.