Tundra vs Tacoma for an M1
The Tundra solves the Tacoma's biggest M1 problem (tight payload) by carrying more. Most Tundra trims sit in the 1,400–1,900 lb payload range vs. the Tacoma's 1,150–1,400 lb. That margin matters when you're stacking armor and 35s on top of a camper, because it's the difference between a build that works on paper and a build that lives at GVWR every weekend.
What the Tundra doesn't change: rear sag under load, the need for proper tire selection, and the math on bumpers and skids. The Tundra-specific picks below focus on what's different. For shared mods (sliders, bumpers, skids, racks), most of the Tacoma vendor list ports over with the right fitment.
Suspension
The runnin4tacos 2018 Tundra M1 build is the most-cited Tundra reference in the M1 community. The owner runs BP-51s with Firestone Ride-Rite air bags, and the suspension call gets brought up specifically as "rides like a dream over washboard." That setup, with both pieces, is the practical Tundra M1 spec.
Tires
Tundra owners run bigger tires more often than Tacoma owners, partly because the truck handles them better and partly because TRD Pro wheels look natural with 35s. The runnin4tacos build runs 35s on TRD Pro wheels. That's the standard reference setup.
For 285/70R17 (a step down from 35s, still a real upgrade over stock), all the Tacoma tire options apply with the right fitment: BFG KO2 (57.9 lbs), Falken Wildpeak AT3W (50.5 lbs P-metric, 62.8 lbs LT), Toyo AT3 (~54 lbs), Nitto Ridge Grappler (~58 lbs), Falken Wildpeak MT (63.3 lbs). See the Tacoma tire section for full breakdowns.
Mods That Carry Over (with Tundra Fitment)
Most mod vendors covered on the Tacoma page sell Tundra-specific applications. The picks and tier rationale don't change; only the part number does. Highlights:
| Category | Vendor (Tundra-specific) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bumpers (front) | CBI, C4 Fabrication, Backwoods Adventure Mods, Cali Raised, RCI | Tundra steel bumpers run heavier than Tacoma versions because the truck is larger. Expect +20–40 lbs over comparable Tacoma part. |
| Sliders | CBI, BAMF, Bodyarmor4x4 | Tundra sliders are longer and heavier; verify weight per set before buying. |
| Skids | CBI, RCI | Tundra skids are larger pieces; CBI publishes weights per application. |
| Cab roof rack | Prinsu (Tundra app), Sherpa | Same low-profile concept. Cleaner with the M1's roof line than a tall basket-style rack. |
| Add-a-leaf | Icon, OME (Tundra-specific pack) | Less commonly used on Tundra than Tacoma because the stock leaf pack is heavier-duty. |
| Daystar air bag cradles | Daystar | Tundra-specific bracket. Pair with Firestone Ride-Rite. |
The vendor tier rationale (from the Buy Direct page) holds across Tundra applications: small shops like CBI, Cali Raised, C4, Backwoods, and Prinsu sit in the Small Shop tier; ARB/OME, Bilstein, Firestone, Daystar, and Total Chaos are Manufacturer. No Amazon, no Walmart, ever.
Payload Math: A Sample 2G Tundra M1 Build
The runnin4tacos-style build, accounted for in net pounds:
| Mod | Net payload impact | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| BP-51 Tundra 2G kit | +88 lbs (est.) | 88 |
| Firestone Ride-Rite air bags | +14 lbs (est.) | 102 |
| 35" tires on TRD Pro wheels (set of 5, vs. stock 33s) | ~+120 lbs | 222 |
| Hybrid front bumper (Tundra-spec) | +60 lbs (est.) | 282 |
| CBI sliders (Tundra-spec) | ~+100 lbs (est.) | 382 |
| Prinsu cab roof rack (Tundra) | ~+60 lbs (est.) | 442 |
A loaded 2G Tundra M1 build adds ~440 lbs in truck mods before the camper, gear, water, or passengers. The Tundra's higher base payload (typically 1,500–1,900 lbs depending on trim) absorbs that more comfortably than a Tacoma would, leaving 1,050–1,450 lbs for the camper (~400 lbs full-size M1), water, gear, and people. The math runs cleaner than on a Tacoma, but it's still real numbers, not infinite room.
Add the mods you're considering to the M1 Builder calculator. The Tundra payload column is per-trim, so you'll see exactly what your specific configuration can carry.