16 inch or 17 inch - tradeoffs?

[MadCityRich]

So I'm planning my next upgrade - looking at 285 tires. I'll be getting new wheels at the same time to address backspacing issues. I'm torn between 16 inch and 17 inch wheels. Tire options in load range D seem to not overlap between manufacturers, so the tires I select will essentially determine which direction I go. And I'm not willing to consider load range E for a variety of reasons.

What I'm wondering about are the tradeoffs between 16 inch and 17 inch wheels. I'm not afraid of sidewall, which favors the 16s, but sidewall isn't as important to me as overall ride comfort or the tires I choose. I don't need to air down for major rock crawling, so 17s might be OK. Are 17s going to be harsher on the road for a given load range rating? I'm going to be driving lots of highway to get off-road and the 4Runner is the family vacation car, so comfort still matters.

I'm somewhat favoring 17s based on tire options, but not enough to favor giving up benefits of 16s if there are issues with 17s for comfort or other factors.

Any experience folks can share is appreciated!

MadCityRich
2002 Ltd
199mm
HD-SKO
265/75

 

[OnTheRidge]

I switched 16 to 17s less than a year ago... Virtually no comfort/drive feel difference. My rolling circumference bumped so it feels a touch slower but, lets be honest, were not setting any speed records here...

 

[cj80cruiser]

I don't think you're going to have comfort issues going with a 16 or 17" wheel. Just stick with D load range like you said and you'll be fine.

 

[ryankmasuda]

You'll notice immediately how much more tires cost for 17" wheels.

 

[ranbar02]

Some of your 285/70R17 tires you can still get in a 4 ply rating. If your just doing mainly highway driving and not looking for a mud terrain the 4 ply tire will give you a better ride. The Toyo Open Country A/T comes in a 4 ply and looks pretty good as well. I prefer their mud terrain, but that's just me. I've ran both and they are great tires.

 

[CanadianTRD]

I don't see the logic in larger wheels if you are using your rig a lot for travel/off-road.

You get less of what you want: rubber = comfort and cushion from rocky roads and bumps...and you get more of what you don't need, pointless diameter (fewer revolutions, MPG)

I should add, if the truck is DESIGNED larger, wider and heavier ie: 5th gen, 17" wheels are size appropriate, 16's just look ridiculous on the 5th gen.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Most 17s will fit with tundra brakes.

 

[ryankmasuda]

I don't see the logic in larger wheels if you are using your rig a lot for travel/off-road.

You get less of what you want: rubber = comfort and cushion from rocky roads and bumps...and you get more of what you don't need, pointless diameter (fewer revolutions, MPG)

I should add, if the truck is DESIGNED larger, wider and heavier ie: 5th gen, 17" wheels are size appropriate, 16's just look ridiculous on the 5th gen.

The only reason I went to 17" wheels was I wanted the Toyota OEM wheels and I needed a 7.5" wide wheel to run 35's as well as make room for the 231mm Tundra caliper upgrade. If I could have kept a 16" wheel I would have.

 

[CanadianTRD]

The only reason I went to 17" wheels was I wanted the Toyota OEM wheels and I needed a 7.5" wide wheel to run 35's as well as make room for the 231mm Tundra caliper upgrade. If I could have kept a 16" wheel I would have.

If you are going to upgrade to that extent, 35"+ different story, even 285 Duratracs can be run on stock 16's w/199mm Tundra Calipers. Just a wee bit of trimming and grinding. I am leaning towards that setup. The 231's are top shelf brakes though, tough to pass them up...