Tires/Wheels 06 4Runner Question

[k6uk]

I pulled the trigger today. Putting Donahoes on the front, custom Deaver coils in the rear along with Bilstien 7100s. So I should have a pretty nice suspension going.

Now onto my next challenge. What tires to go with.

My Limited came with 18" rims (7.5" wide) - so first of all I was thinking that keeping them might not be horrible and would save me a few $$. Cooper makes a 275/65R18 STT tires that measure in at 32.1" in diameter. Here's a picture of them on a Range Rover



Another (Possible?) option is BF Goodrich ATs in 285/65R18 which is 32.8" in diameter. Although the manufacturer states that the narrowest rim I should use is 8" - is there a chance it would work on 7.5" rims?

Now the other option is to chuck the 18s and buy some 17s
- I know that I will probably appreciate the increased sidewall off road - and there will be more tires to choose from. But I do drive a lot of highways on my journeys, and the 18s are nice looking rims.

In your opinion are the 18's just a bad idea?
If I go for 17's is there a 33" tire that's a little narrower than a 285 that would be suitable for the 4runner?

Thanks for your help!

-Mike

[flyingwil]

Mike!

You might not want to hear this but, I would ditch the 18's and go as small as you can go maybe a 16? If I recall correctly 265/70/17 will be the biggest with or without the lift unless you go up higher, so maybe something around a 33" would work. I would also go "tall and skinny." It's a motto we live by here.

Most of us Taco guys ended up hating Scott for the 255/85/16's we are all running but love the shoes!

[erin]

Congrats on the suspension. I would also drop rim size, but only if it is going to clear your calipers, so check first. Besides, with a smaller rim,16-17", tire availability is going to be better. Like Wil said, tall and skinny is the way around here. Good luck.

[edgear]

I couldn't be happier with the 255/85 R16 tires (thanks Scott ).

Resistance is futile! Join the 'tall & skinny' club!!

[Scott Brady]

Having done some recent testing with the 4Runner, I really liked the 265/70 R17. A good size tire for that vehicle.

The biggest issue with the 17" and taller tires is the reduced sidewall height. I could not air down the 17 below 20psi without air leaking out. You also increase the chance of pinch flatting, or damaging the rim.

And I suppose the greatest concern is tire availability in remote locations.

Best of luck! We look forward to seeing pictures of your 4Runner as it develops. I am quite impressed with the platform

[k6uk]

Thanks for the input.
Okay, the 18's are out - no problem.
But it raises a couple questions:

1. The larger rotors on the Limited makes it impossible to mount 16" wheels due to clearance. Is it possible, and would it be worth it, to swap out my rotors and calipers for the SR5 version which is smaller. Rumor has it that the larger ones don't perform significantly better than the smaller.

2. If I was able to mount 16s - are your trusty 255/85R16 an option? Lets face it those are some mean looking shoes. Would I even want to go that big?
Maybe not, but they sure look cool.

3. Thanks Scott for the recommendation of the 265/70/R17s - do you feel this is the best choice - period? Are 285s a bad move? Would the 285's be better when I air down? (on 17's because of the increased sidewall)

4. Not to bombard you with questions - but. Am I better sticking to Toyota/Lexus stock rims - or should I seek out something wider than 7.5"

Thanks again for all the help!

-Mike
K6UK

[Scott Brady]

Thanks for the input.
Okay, the 18's are out - no problem.
But it raises a couple questions:

1. The larger rotors on the Limited makes it impossible to mount 16" wheels due to clearance. Is it possible, and would it be worth it, to swap out my rotors and calipers for the SR5 version which is smaller. Rumor has it that the larger ones don't perform significantly better than the smaller.

That is good to know. I would not recommend swapping brakes. Actually, that would be a really bad thing, given the ABS, Traction Control, Speedo, etc. interface that the wheel hubs provide.

2. If I was able to mount 16s - are your trusty 255/85R16 an option? Lets face it those are some mean looking shoes. Would I even want to go that big?
Maybe not, but they sure look cool.

You have a brand new, $40,000+ vehicle. I would not consider the 255/85 an option. I test fit those tires on the limited I was testing. MUCHO cutting would be required. And the gearing issue (lack of) is a problem.

3. Thanks Scott for the recommendation of the 265/70/R17s - do you feel this is the best choice - period? Are 285s a bad move? Would the 285's be better when I air down? (on 17's because of the increased sidewall)

Yes, for a brand new truck with moderate lift and wanting no rubbing, that is the sweet spot IMHO.

4. Not to bombard you with questions - but. Am I better sticking to Toyota/Lexus stock rims - or should I seek out something wider than 7.5"

7.5" is a great size, and compliments the above tire.

[Life_in_4Lo]

Running stock 17" w/ 265/70-17 MTR's I have never had a problem offroad. I have aired down to 10psi on the sand dunes and often wheeled at 15-18psi

The shorter sidewall will make it so the lip of the alloy wheel will get scraped up on rocks but no biggie.

You can run up to a 285 MTR but be willing to trim up some plastic to clear it.

The Limited may/may not have the larger calipers. Last I heard, only the Sport Edition had larger calipers (even tho the SE and Limited had upsized wheels). Maybe they changed it for 06.

The 18's will be fine dependinig on what you plan on doing with them. It will be easier to chew up the alloy but might it all depends. Looks cool anyway. I know someone running 18's and 35's and it looks good.

Here's a bunch of tech info on what fits and what is needed to clear larger tires
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11

[k6uk]

Thanks for the links..

I've looked into it a bit more, and changing over the brakes may not pose a technical problem. I am doing more research on how a change would affect ABS, Speedo, Etc. But there are ways of mounting larger racing brakes to a car, so smaller brakes may not be out of the question. But then again the change over won't be free... so I may just abandon the idea.

Oh, and yes I can confirm that the Limited has the larger rotors at least on the 2006. I'm not sure what year that changed though.

265/70-17s do look like a good choice - although I haven't ruled out going a bit larger - I don't mind a little trimming, but I don't want to massacre my truck either. I figured the 255s would be a no go, but thanks for confirming my suspicions.

Now while I'm in the market for wheels, what is the thought on beadlocks?
Have you seen the new Hutchinson RockMonster wheels?

http://www.rockmonsterwheels.com/new567.htm

These are supposedly going to be on the market at the end of April and will fit Toyotas.

The cool thing about these beadlocks is that they are internal, and DOT approved. Interesting anyway... although probably a pain to work with in the middle of nowhere.

Hutchinson makes beadlocks for the military:


Well thanks again for the help.
I'll post photos as work begins.

-Mike
K6UK

[flyingwil]

Depending on your budget, Staun make some great bead locks.


If you really need the bead locks. But first ask if you need them...


If not here's another tip, from the old school files:

An old racers trick to prevent the hassle of a tire popping off the rim once you’ve aired your tire pressure down is to take your rims and sand them down to bare metal where the tire seats to the rim. Then put chalk on that bare patch of metal, and then put on your tire. The chalk promotes rust and your tire will literally rust to the rim, making it far less prone to popping off at low pressure. The tire can still be easily removed with standard tire shop tools. A steel rim is the only requirement.

So maybe go to steel wheels?