Durable Wheels With Off-Road Focused Designs For Your Build
A new set of wheels can make a huge difference in your Tacoma’s aesthetics, and there are many styles and finishes to choose from.
After having the TRD wheels on my 3rd Gen Tacoma for a while, I knew it was time to change things up. I decided to go with a new set from Lock Off-Road. These guys have exploded onto the scene and I’ve been seeing more people across social media running a set. I opted for the Baja design in Matte Desert Bronze and they have completely changed the look of my truck (for the better). Plus, they are pretty lightweight so there’s no hit to my ride quality or gas mileage.
Overview & Features
I eventually got tired of the black wheels and wanted something to stand out more. The Baja wheels pictured above are 17×9 with a -12mm offset. Again, in the Matte Desert Bronze color.
Upon unboxing them, I immediately noticed the super unique finish. Rather than being a glossy or typical powder coat finish, the bronze part of these wheels has a sand-textured finish. The black outer ring feels like a standard powder coating. This unique dual-finish looks great and is something I haven’t seen before.
I went with a -12mm offset to give the truck a more aggressive stance. In my opinion, -12 is the perfect offset for the Tacoma. However, they are also offered in a 0mm offset for the 17-inch size that fits the Tacoma lug pattern. This helps to keep the wheel/tire a bit closer to the wheel well with less poke. It also helps to mitigate rubbing.
A big factor that plays in the wheels I pick is the weight. These come in at 32 lbs. each, pretty standard for aftermarket wheels (give or take a few pounds). As a comparison, the stock TRD Off-Road wheels weight comes in at 24 lbs. It’s worth noting that these are cast wheels, hence their more affordable price point. If you want the ultimate weight savings, you’ll have to fork up around double for forged wheels.
Lock’s wheels are also compatible with a wide array of other makes and models, including Rivian and Jeep (sorry, I had to go there).
Initial Impressions
After driving around on these wheels for a little over a month, they have been pretty good as far as wheels go. The weight difference has not made much (or any) impact on ride quality or gas mileage from what I can tell during city and highway driving.
This could be due to the textured finish, but I did have to get my wheels rebalanced as I had lost some wheel weights. So, ensure your installer properly cleans your wheels and adheres the weights as they don’t stick as well onto textured surfaces as smooth ones. But besides that, no issues with balancing or any vibrations.
With 33″ Arroyo AT tires, I notice a bit more rubbing than with my previous set of wheels. Albeit, those were 16×8 with a 0mm offset. So, with 17×9 with a -12mm offset, this was expected. This can be easily remedied, though, if you aren’t afraid to do some cutting to clear them. I haven’t done much more than trimming the fender liner.
Final Thoughts
The Baja wheels from Lock Off-Road have a head-turning design with a great balance of style and performance. Since they are offered in different sizes and offsets, you should be able to find a set that fits your setup.
In addition, Lock Off-Road has several styles, ranging from sleek and understated to machine-finished faux-bead locks (re-emphasizing weight savings). I opted for a style that fits more into the former group, but if you’re a bit flashier, there are wheels to suit your liking.
If you’re looking for a 17-inch wheel option that’s unique and looks great, I highly recommend checking out Lock Off-Road!
