Hodakaguy, let's start from the beginning, okay? By installing larger tires—even though 33s are far from crazy—you are putting extra stress on the driveline and many other components. Those tires are heavier and their rotational inertia is higher than the stock tires. Braking distances will be longer, the suspension will have to work harder, and stresses on axles, differentials, CV joints, etc. will rise. Simple, inarguable physics. If you re-gear to compensate for the poorer acceleration and non-ideal engine revolutions at selected speeds, you are weakening the differential after you have put extra stress on it with the larger tires. Again, inarguable physics. One can argue all day long whether or not the Tacoma drivetrain is strong enough to withstand this—and in the majority of cases it is, especially the post 2011 rear diffs—but you are putting more stress on it, period. Rod load is less of a worry than diff load. I don't remember the last time I heard of a Tacoma engine failing due to rod load, but I've seen plenty with blown diffs and CV joints.
There is a predictable ascending curve of driveline failures if you track those owners who go beyond 4.56 or 4.88 gears into the fives, while mounting 35-inch or larger tires and maybe adding wheel spacers for good measure.
Obviously it's the owner's choice as to how to modify a vehicle. But it should be done with knowledge of the potential downsides. I come at this from the perspective of a long-distance traveler, often in remote areas. Vast experience of those more experienced than I has shown that the further you move away from the factory setup, the more you compromise reliability.
