Build Walk Arounds · Posted on Feb 03, 2026

by Mateo Ianotti

How to Transform the 2024 Tacoma Into the Ultimate Prerunner

The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma has generated plenty of discussion since its release, with enthusiasts debating everything from the turbocharged four-cylinder engine to the new multilink rear suspension. But beneath the controversy lies an incredible platform for building a high-performance desert truck. The 4th gen Tacoma's modern chassis and lighter weight make it a perfect candidate for a serious prerunner build that can handle everything from fast desert runs to technical off-road sections.

It's not unusual to wonder if the latest Tacoma generation can truly compete with proven 3rd gen builds when it comes to prerunner performance. The good news is that with the right suspension upgrades, aggressive widebody fenders, and thoughtful modifications, the 4th gen platform transforms into a capable machine that combines modern technology with old-school desert truck performance. Whether you're looking to build a weekend warrior or a full-blown race truck trainer, the new Tacoma offers exciting possibilities.

What makes the 4th gen particularly compelling for prerunner builds is how well it responds to modifications. The factory chassis accepts long-travel suspension without the extensive modification required by some competitors, while the lighter curb weight compared to previous generations means you're starting with a nimble platform. Add Fiberwerx widebody glass and Dirt King's latest long travel technology, and you have a recipe for a truck that looks as aggressive as it performs.

Let's explore what it takes to transform a 2024 Tacoma into a legitimate desert-ready prerunner, from suspension and glass work to the critical details that make the difference between a show truck and a go truck.

Table of Contents

Fiberwerx Widebody Glass

The foundation of any prerunner's aggressive stance starts with proper widebody fenders, and Fiberwerx offers a complete solution for the 4th gen Tacoma. The front fenders feature McNeel-style widebody design that's been adapted specifically for the new body lines, while the rear bedsides provide a cohesive look that transforms the truck's proportions entirely.

What sets modern fiberglass installations apart from previous generations is the attention to OEM-quality fitment. Gone are the days of significant gaps and mismatched body lines. Current offerings from companies like Fiberwerx are designed to integrate seamlessly with the factory sheet metal, creating a factory-plus appearance when properly installed and painted. The key is working with an experienced shop that understands how to properly fit, finish, and mount fiberglass components.

For the 4th gen build, a 1-inch rise with 3-inch bulge in the front provides excellent tire clearance while maintaining drivable proportions. This conservative approach allows you to run 35-inch tires comfortably, with room to upgrade to 37s if you're willing to do additional trimming. The bedsides match this aesthetic, creating a cohesive widebody look from front to rear that immediately signals this truck's performance intentions.

Dirt King 3.5-Inch Long Travel Suspension

Suspension is where a true prerunner build separates itself from a lifted mall crawler, and Dirt King's 3.5-inch long travel kit for the 2024 Tacoma represents the cutting edge of desert truck technology. The system delivers an impressive 13.5 inches of front travel using extended upper and lower control arms, King coilovers, and all the supporting components needed for a complete transformation.

What makes this setup particularly exciting is Dirt King's new bump shaft technology. Rather than relying solely on external bump stops, the company has integrated bump stop functionality directly into the shock absorber itself. This innovation provides progressive damping as the suspension approaches full compression, preventing harsh bottoming while maintaining excellent ride quality through the full range of travel. It's technology that's filtering down from professional race trucks into consumer builds.

The front suspension package includes billet upper control arms, a panhard bar for lateral stability, extended CV axles to handle the increased travel, and the critical engine crossover brace that ties everything together. This crossover brace is more than just a strut tower bar—it's a comprehensive reinforcement system that prevents the coil bucket from flexing under hard impacts, ensuring the geometry stays consistent even during aggressive use.

In the rear, Dirt King worked within the constraints of the new multilink suspension to extract maximum performance. The 2.5-inch King shocks feature the same bump shaft technology as the fronts, providing approximately 16 inches of travel. While some enthusiasts miss the simplicity of leaf spring setups, the multilink design offers advantages in handling and ride quality that become apparent once you start pushing the truck hard.

Custom Front Bumper Fabrication

Building a proper prerunner bumper for the 4th gen Tacoma presents unique challenges compared to previous generations. The 2024 model's turbocharged engine includes a heat exchanger mounted in the front bumper that hangs relatively low, while Toyota's safety sense suite requires preserving specific sensors for adaptive cruise control and pre-collision systems. Working around these constraints while achieving the aggressive approach angle and clean lines of a desert bumper requires careful planning.

The solution involves cutting the factory bumper strategically and integrating tubular construction that follows the truck's natural body lines. Rather than creating a bulky add-on bumper that fights the 4th gen's modern styling, the best approach incorporates the main tube work into the existing bumper structure. This creates a seamless appearance where the fabrication looks intentional rather than aftermarket.

Critical elements include properly sized main tubes that can handle impact loads, skid plate mounting tubes that protect vital components, and corner tubes that strengthen the overall structure. The bumper needs to accommodate fog lights—Baja Designs S2 SAE-approved pods work perfectly here—while maintaining clean welding and professional finishing. Once powder coated, a well-executed custom bumper elevates the entire build while providing real protection during off-road use.

Wheels and Tires for Desert Performance

Wheel and tire selection for a prerunner build involves balancing several competing priorities: you need enough tire for traction and cushioning, wheels strong enough to handle hard impacts, and a package light enough to avoid killing acceleration and braking performance. For the 4th gen build, 17x8.5 KMC wheels with a positive 25 offset provide an excellent foundation.

The decision to run 35-inch BFGoodrich KM3s represents a smart middle ground between capability and driveability. These tires are aggressive enough for serious off-road work while remaining civilized on the highway, and the 35-inch diameter works well with the stock gearing and turbocharged engine. The KM3's compound is known for durability, which matters when you're regularly encountering sharp desert rocks and whoops at speed.

For builders ready to push further, 37-inch tires are absolutely possible with some additional trimming and tuning. The larger diameter provides even more cushioning over rough terrain and increases ground clearance, though you'll want to be honest about whether your driving style and terrain actually require them. Starting with 35s and upgrading later once you've accumulated seat time is often the smarter approach.

Paint Protection Film for Fiberglass

After investing in custom fiberglass, professional paint, and installation, the last thing you want is to destroy your bedsides and fenders with rock chips and abrasion. Adding bed stiffeners also helps prevent the bed from flexing under heavy loads or hard impacts, which is especially important when running aggressive suspension that can transmit significant forces through the chassis. Paint protection film specifically designed for off-road use provides a nearly invisible barrier that absorbs impacts and prevents damage to the underlying paint.

The key is applying PPF to the critical strike zones, the lower portions of the fenders and bedsides where rocks and debris make contact most frequently. Custom-cut film designed specifically for your widebody configuration ensures complete coverage without the visible seams and bubbles that plague poorly executed installations. Professional installation makes the difference between protection that lasts and film that peels after a few trips.

This is one of those details that separates a well-thought-out build from one that will quickly show wear. Fiberglass repairs and repaints are expensive and time-consuming, making the relatively modest cost of quality PPF one of the best investments you can make in preserving your truck's appearance.

Building Your 4th Gen Prerunner

The 2024 Tacoma proves that the 4th gen platform has serious potential as a prerunner foundation. Despite initial skepticism about the new suspension design and turbocharged engine, the truck responds exceptionally well to proper modifications. The lighter chassis weight compared to previous generations actually works in your favor, providing a nimble platform that's eager to turn and accelerate.

What makes this generation particularly exciting is how companies like Dirt King have already developed comprehensive solutions that address the unique challenges of the new platform. The bump shaft technology represents real innovation that improves performance, while the attention to factory safety systems and electronic integration means you don't have to sacrifice modern features to build a capable desert truck.

Building Your 4th Gen Prerunner - TACOMABEAST

The progressive approach remains the smartest path forward: start with quality long travel suspension and proper fiberglass, develop your driving skills, and upgrade components as your abilities and ambitions grow. The 4th gen Tacoma rewards this methodical approach, revealing more capability as you push harder and learn the platform's characteristics.

Transform Your 2024 Tacoma

Building a prerunner from the all-new 4th gen Tacoma combines the best of modern truck technology with proven desert racing principles. From Dirt King's innovative bump shaft suspension to Fiberwerx's carefully engineered widebody glass, the components exist to create a truly capable machine. The key is approaching the build thoughtfully, working with experienced shops for critical installations, and remembering that the goal is creating a truck you'll actually use rather than just a showpiece.

At TACOMABEAST, we're here to support your 4th gen build with quality parts, expert guidance, and the knowledge that comes from years of building and testing desert trucks. Check out our prerunner build list for everything from lighting to suspension components, and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more incredible builds like this one. Whether you're just starting to research modifications or you're ready to dive into a complete transformation, we're here to help you build the ultimate 2024 Tacoma prerunner.