16, 17 & 18" wheels
- Thread starter t4rfan
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
0
07runner
Guest
I was not aware that a 16 in tire was available. This tire would only be on the entry model. The 17 in tire offers you a lot of tire choices. The 18 inch is a 60 series tire. This will offer you a stiffer side wall with better on road performance compared to the 65 series. The down side is that the 18 in tire is not available in a all terrain tire. In march Good Year is going to make the wrangler silent armour in the 265/60/18. From the testing I have seen it is an excellent tire. Will cost about $200 per tire, and has the coveted mountain snowflake tire on the side wall. Plus it is made to run all year round with a 50,000 mile warranty. What is special about this tire is that it is the only snowflake tire I know off that is also made to be used year round. It performs just as well as a tire made specifically for snow like the blizzack. I know snow, syracuse ny the snowiest metropoltian city in the usa. This winter we only saw 60 in, should have had at least 180 by now, this will go down in the record books as the mildest winter if it continues. Normally only dedicated snow tires will have the snowflake.( The Good Year tire will be the only all terrain tire to fit the Limited at this time)
tkr128
New member
I've had both 16 and 17's on my 4Runner. There is little difference between the two. The 17's make the car handle slightly better but not by much. The ride was improved with the 17's, but that's probably due to tire choice. You'll have a wider selection of stock sized (P265/70R16) tires to choose from with the 16 than with the stock 265/65/17's.
Depending on your region you may never see the 16's installed on an SR5 and you can't put the 16's on a car that came with 17's (brakes are different).
Depending on your region you may never see the 16's installed on an SR5 and you can't put the 16's on a car that came with 17's (brakes are different).
I've had both 17's and 18's on my 4runner. I say that any tire on an 18" will probably be better than the Dunlops that come on the 17's. I've hydroplaned on the dunlops so I can attest to their poor wet weather performance.
My 18's are 275 55 18's Michelin X-Terrains (a steal at $123 per tire at Tirerack), and while they are 10mm wider per tire over stock, I have much better assurance on dry, wet and snow conditions.
I say the best think you can get for a new 4runner is the X-reas suspension. Your limited comes with 18's so don't worry too much about the tire size.
Having a better suspension set up will definatly enhance your cornering stability. While there is a small noticiable difference in ride quality (long island roads are poort), I don't think you will have a problem with any wheel/tire combo.
Get the X-reas and move on
My 18's are 275 55 18's Michelin X-Terrains (a steal at $123 per tire at Tirerack), and while they are 10mm wider per tire over stock, I have much better assurance on dry, wet and snow conditions.
I say the best think you can get for a new 4runner is the X-reas suspension. Your limited comes with 18's so don't worry too much about the tire size.
Having a better suspension set up will definatly enhance your cornering stability. While there is a small noticiable difference in ride quality (long island roads are poort), I don't think you will have a problem with any wheel/tire combo.
Get the X-reas and move on
Attachments
I've ordered a Limited, so I'll have the 18" wheels. I decided they will be okay for me because I will use the T4R for only mild off-road excursions when I want to carry a crowd. I have a Wrangler for the real trails.
If you want to take on more difficult roads in your T4R, I highly recommend the smaller wheels. The taller sidewalls on the tires will give you more protection against hazards and allow the tires to be aired down a bit. You will also find a good selection of tires that can be used off road, which you won't in the 18" size.
Because my Limited is going to see mostly road use, I also ordered X-REAS. It is great technology for the road, but it could be detrimental for off-road usage.
If you want to take on more difficult roads in your T4R, I highly recommend the smaller wheels. The taller sidewalls on the tires will give you more protection against hazards and allow the tires to be aired down a bit. You will also find a good selection of tires that can be used off road, which you won't in the 18" size.
Because my Limited is going to see mostly road use, I also ordered X-REAS. It is great technology for the road, but it could be detrimental for off-road usage.
I put about 8800 miles on my SE with the 17" stock wheels and Dunlop tires. A week ago I had the same 18" wheels that come on the '06 Limited put on with 265/60R18 BFG Radial Long Trail Tires ($89 each). See my thread here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15940
Tire rack lists these tires as "Highway All-Season" but they have a much more aggressive tread than the Dunlops which are listed in the same category. After a week of driving on various surfaces at various speeds I can say that the 18's with the smaller sidewall make the truck handle noticibly better. Turn in is much quicker and the truck feels more nimble around town. On the highway, the long high speed sweepers feel more stable. The ride is definitely firmer but not harsh at all, I can just feel a few more road imperfections than with the Dunlops. I'm not sure if that's the sidewall talking or the difference in tread, as I'm pretty sure the Dunlops are a much softer tread.
As for wheeling, there is still a decent amount of sidewall to use, realistically, you are only losing half an inch (radially) of sidewall in the difference between 60 and 65 series tires at this width. Companies should start making all-terrain tires for 18" soon as the tire industry catches up with the bigger wheels being offered on SUV's and trucks.
All in all, I'm happy with the change, any of the other 18" tires would be better than the Dunlops IMO.
Tire rack lists these tires as "Highway All-Season" but they have a much more aggressive tread than the Dunlops which are listed in the same category. After a week of driving on various surfaces at various speeds I can say that the 18's with the smaller sidewall make the truck handle noticibly better. Turn in is much quicker and the truck feels more nimble around town. On the highway, the long high speed sweepers feel more stable. The ride is definitely firmer but not harsh at all, I can just feel a few more road imperfections than with the Dunlops. I'm not sure if that's the sidewall talking or the difference in tread, as I'm pretty sure the Dunlops are a much softer tread.
As for wheeling, there is still a decent amount of sidewall to use, realistically, you are only losing half an inch (radially) of sidewall in the difference between 60 and 65 series tires at this width. Companies should start making all-terrain tires for 18" soon as the tire industry catches up with the bigger wheels being offered on SUV's and trucks.
All in all, I'm happy with the change, any of the other 18" tires would be better than the Dunlops IMO.
0
07runner
Guest
Dennis said:
The X-REAS system will in no way effect your off road ability. It is to improve performance in handling on road. Are you sure you even know what the X-reas is?
07runner said:
Are you sure you know what off-roading is?
: In off-road driving, you want maximum separate articulation of each wheel. Anything that improves cornering, be it anti-sway bars or X-REAS, works against free articulation. That is the purpose of the mechanism.
This is not to say that you won't do fine out there with X-REAS. I doubt that many 4th gen owners are disconnecting their anti-sway bars either.
0
07runner
Guest
Dennis said:Are you sure you know what off-roading is?
In off-road driving, you want maximum separate articulation of each wheel. Anything that improves cornering, be it anti-sway bars or X-REAS, works against free articulation. That is the purpose of the mechanism.
This is not to say that you won't do fine out there with X-REAS. I doubt that many 4th gen owners are disconnecting their anti-sway bars either.
I strongly suggest that you go to the toyota home page for the demo of the X-reas system, it does not limit articulation. It really is a amazing system.
Do you really think that X-reas would be standard on the sport model if your statement was true?
I think I understand the X-REAS system quite well. And don't forget, I ordered it for myself!
But think about it. It's entire purpose is to allow the suspension movement of one wheel to change the suspension response of another wheel. It is a simple and ingenious way to dramatically improve cornering. But how could that improve off-road suspension articulation? It's the exact opposite.
But think about it. It's entire purpose is to allow the suspension movement of one wheel to change the suspension response of another wheel. It is a simple and ingenious way to dramatically improve cornering. But how could that improve off-road suspension articulation? It's the exact opposite.
0
07runner
Guest
People on this site have complained about alot of stuff, including myself. I never remember any body complaining that articulation was poor or took away from off road ability because of the X-reas suspension.
If you want to lift your vehicle, than it will be a problem. People have praised this X-reas suspension, and others feel it was a contributing factor to them surviving a life and death situation because of the handling factor.
No magazine has ever to the best of my knowlege ever made a statement that it limited articulation. Even if it did, there is so much of it you will not approach the limits of the off road ability of this vehicle unless you are maybe a expert off roader.
If you want to lift your vehicle, than it will be a problem. People have praised this X-reas suspension, and others feel it was a contributing factor to them surviving a life and death situation because of the handling factor.
No magazine has ever to the best of my knowlege ever made a statement that it limited articulation. Even if it did, there is so much of it you will not approach the limits of the off road ability of this vehicle unless you are maybe a expert off roader.
atomic punk
New member
Those wranglers are hard to beat offoad Dennis, aye?! I have one too.... I agree with your assessment there, but don't forget that the term "offroading" can mean many different things to different people: 100ft dirt trail to your lakefront summer home vs rockcrawling all afternoon on some aired down 35's, for instance.
NCSCOTT
New member
tkr128 said:
I am not sure this statement is correct.
My SR5 has 17 as a Factory option. Only a $100 option. If there were a difference in brakes sizes I would think it would have cost more.
I know a number of people have made statements that the Limiteds or SE have larger brakes than the SR5s. I have not seen any proof of this while reaserching Brake pads for my Runner. I have not seen any differentiation made by any parts stores based on the Trim package. They list the same part number 2WD or 4WD, V-8 or V6, It does not matter. The only difference I have seen was the 2003 models required a different pad than 2004 & 2005s. I have no data on 2006s. I do not think there is any differance in the size of the brakes. You should be able to through a 16 inch wheel on the first 3 years of the 4th gen with out a problem from what I have found.
If someone has proof. Different Toyota part numbers or documentation from Toyota of different size brakes I would be happy to accept that as proof of a difference. I have just not found or seen it. It would be good data to have if you do your own brakes to prevent a possible problem while installing the new pads. Honda is known for changing pads or calipers mid production. I guess it may be possible that other companys might do the same.
Last edited:
It's not the pads that are different. It's the rotor size that is...
http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3642&highlight=rotor
http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3642&highlight=rotor
tkr128
New member
NCSCOTT said:
Part #'s for 2003 models:
Rotors:
- 17" 43512-60150
- 16" 43512-35320
Brake Dust Shield:
- 17" Right: 47781-60120 Left: 47782-60120
- 16" Right: 47781-35160 Left: 47702-35160
Brake Caliper:
- 17" Right: 47730-60130 Left: 47750-60130
- 16" Right: 47730-35160 Left: 47730-0C020
There may be other part differences, but these are the only ones I've found.
Mr.yoshimura
New member
07runner said:
07runner doesn't even have a 4R and he think he know everything about it by just reading his brochure! lol:bash:
(ADMIN EDITED POST)
Fro-Runner
New member
The Sport (spoke) edition 4-Runner DOES HAVE larger front brakes than the SR5 models. However, in 04 and 05 the SR5's were shipped with 16" rims with the option to upgrade to the sport edition 17" 5-spoke rims for a $100 option. You could not order the Limited rims for a 03-05 SR5 model. All that was changed in the 2006 model year. I have seen 06 SR5 models here in California shipping on the truck with the Limited and Sport model rims. Toyota has given the 4Runner limited 18" rims for the 2006 model year.
Now for the X-REAS("XRAG-gity") system! If you plan to LIFT your truck, then you will probably want to bypass this system or REMOVE it when your lift is installed. In the very near future, autoparts manufacturers will soon make available the double tubes, shocks with an extra reservoir gas chamber tube and/or coilovers for better handling of all vehicles. All the XRAG-gity system does is pump more fluid into a shock's tube IF the trucks leans too much on that shock asborber. This could EASILY be accomplished with a aftermarket double tubed shock or a reservoir tubed shock asborber.
I will say this...............the Sport edition model of the 4 Runner offer the best value and most bang for your buck------PERIOD!!!
Now for the X-REAS("XRAG-gity") system! If you plan to LIFT your truck, then you will probably want to bypass this system or REMOVE it when your lift is installed. In the very near future, autoparts manufacturers will soon make available the double tubes, shocks with an extra reservoir gas chamber tube and/or coilovers for better handling of all vehicles. All the XRAG-gity system does is pump more fluid into a shock's tube IF the trucks leans too much on that shock asborber. This could EASILY be accomplished with a aftermarket double tubed shock or a reservoir tubed shock asborber.
I will say this...............the Sport edition model of the 4 Runner offer the best value and most bang for your buck------PERIOD!!!
Last edited:
NCSCOTT
New member
tkr128 said:
I am not doubting your info one bit. Just wondering where it came from and if the source has data on 04 & 05s. Is it a web site or the Stealership.
It is interesting that all the models use the same pad regardless of trim, engine, or driveline choice. I would think since the SEs have a larger Rotor they would get a larger caliper and pad to match the rotor. But I can also see this could be a way to help keep cost down for Toyota.
Anyway, Thanks for the info. If you have a good source please pass it along. NCSCOTT
