2025 Toyota 4th Gen Tacoma Build: Lift, Wheels & Tires, Exhaust, and Alu-Cab Contour Canopy (Full 4-Day Install)

The new Tacoma is here — and it didn’t take Mountain State Overland to plan out and film this 4th Gen Tacoma Build.

For this project, we picked up a brand new 2025 Toyota Tacoma and brought it straight to OK4WD for a full transformation. Over the course of four days, we turned this truck from stock to tour-ready with a carefully selected setup focused on suspension performance, load capacity, security, and real-world usability.

This touring mode 4th Gen Tacoma build was filmed and it’s a complete how-to install and build video. With these detailed steps someone can confidently follow along and do a similar build themselves.

The Goal: A Tacoma Build That Works Everywhere

The mission for this build was simple:

• Add a lift that improves capability, payload and ride quality

• Upgrade wheels and tires for traction and clearance

• Improve suspension geometry and strength

• Add a canopy setup ready for overland use and secure storage

• Finish the truck with an exhaust upgrade for added clearance when we're on the trail

And most importantly - make it realistic and repeatable for all Tacoma owners.

The Truck: 2025 Toyota Tacoma (4th Gen)

We started with a brand new 2025 Toyota Tacoma. This model in particular is the TRD Offroad Premium with just about every option available from Toyota.

From there, the Tacoma came straight to OK4WD where the entire install was completed and filmed across four full days.

Wheels & Tires: Nomad Touring + Toyo Open Country R/T Pro

One of the most impactful upgrades on any Tacoma build is the wheel and tire setup. It changes the stance, improves traction, increases capability, and gives the truck that “built” look instantly.

For the touring mode 4th Gen Tacoma, we installed:

Nomad Touring Wheels

Nomad’s Touring wheel is a great match for the Tacoma platform — strong, clean styling, and built for real off-road use.

Toyo Tires Open Country R/T Pro

The Toyo Open Country R/T Pro is a perfect “do-it-all” tire for a Tacoma build. It bridges the gap between an all-terrain and a mud-terrain, giving you:

• aggressive off-road traction

• confident highway manners

• strong sidewall performance

• excellent durability for overland use

This combo instantly gave the Tacoma a more aggressive stance and the traction needed to match the rest of the build.

Suspension & Lift: Old Man Emu + Bilstein 6100/6112

This is the heart of the touring mode 4th Gen Tacoma build — and the part that Tacoma owners are researching the most right now.

We lifted the Tacoma using a combination of Old Man Emu and Bilstein components, designed to improve ride quality, clearance, and overall suspension control.

Old Man Emu Medium Rear Coil Springs

We went with Old Man Emu Medium Rear Coil Springs, which are ideal for the touring mode 4th Gen Tacoma build that will carry:

• gear

• a canopy

• overland accessories

• future weighted upgrades

Medium-rate springs are often the sweet spot because they support real-world load without turning the truck into a stiff, harsh ride.

Bilstein 6100 / 6112 Shocks

For dampers, we installed Bilstein 6100 / 6112 shocks.

Bilstein is a proven name in the Tacoma world, and this setup offers:

• improved damping control

• better handling on-road

• stronger performance off-road

• a more planted ride compared to stock

This shock setup is one of the best options for Tacoma owners who want real performance without going full race suspension.

Old Man Emu Upper Control Arms (UCA)

Lifting a Tacoma is never just about springs and shocks — once you change ride height, suspension geometry becomes a real factor.

To correct alignment and improve strength, we installed:

Old Man Emu Upper Control Arms

Upgraded UCAs help with:

• improved alignment after lifting

• better suspension travel

• stronger ball joint / joint design

• better overall steering feel

This is one of the most important upgrades in any Tacoma lift build, especially if you want it to drive correctly and avoid uneven tire wear.

Offroad Exhaust Upgrade

Once the suspension and wheels/tires were installed, we finished off the build with a Cobb Tuning offroad exhaust upgrade.

This adds:

• improved sound

• a more aggressive tone

• better overall flow

• a more “built” driving experience

It’s one of those mods that makes the Tacoma feel less like a stock commuter and more like a purpose-built rig.

Alu-Cab Contour Truck Cap Install

The final major piece of the build was the canopy — and not just any truck topper. We installed the Alu-Cab Contour Truck Cap.

This is one of the most premium canopy options available for the Tacoma platform, and it’s a perfect foundation for:

• overland builds

• storage and organization

• camping setups

• roof racks and accessories

• long-term travel rigs

The Contour camper shell is designed to fit cleanly, look factory, and be rugged enough for real use. It's one-piece aluminum construction so there's there's no assembly required. An included wiring harness makes it easy to tap into existing 12V power for any trucks that include a 7 pin trailer wiring harness.

And visually? This is the mod that really finishes the truck and makes it look like a complete build.

4 Days at OK4WD: Full Install + Complete How-To

This entire build was completed over four days at OK4WD, and the full process is documented in the video as a complete install guide.

If you’re building a 2024–2026 Tacoma, this video covers:

• lift install process

• UCA install details

• suspension tips and alignment considerations

• wheels/tires fitment

• truck cap installation process

• final stance and results

This is designed so a Tacoma owner can follow along and replicate the build themselves — whether they’re working in a garage, driveway, or shop.

Final Thoughts: A Perfectly Modest 4th Gen Tacoma Build

This 2025 Tacoma build is the kind of setup that works in the real world:

• aggressive stance

• better ride control

• more clearance

• improved geometry

• off-road ready

• overland capable

• still daily-driver friendly

It’s not overdone, and it’s not just for looks — every part has a purpose.

The Touring Mode 4th Gen Tacoma FAQs

Build List (Quick Reference)

Truck

• 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad Premium (4th Gen)

Wheels

• Nomad Touring Wheels

Tires

• Toyo Tires Open Country R/T Pro

Lift / Suspension

• Old Man Emu Medium Springs

• Old Man Emu Upper Control Arms

• Bilstein 6100 / 6112 shocks

Other

• Cobb Tunning Offroad Exhaust

• Alu-Cab Contour Bed Cap