17" vs 20" wheels, any real benefits

[skt4271]

So from what I can tell, everyone uses 17" wheels set up on their runners. Toyota has starting to put 20"s on some of their sr5 trims.

So if I'm only going to maybe, I mean maybe hit the dirt trails or wood paths, wouldn't 20s be ok? I don't think I'd air down. I just think that 20s look better, but the wheels I've seen in 20 are do gawdy.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

20" wheels mean less sidewall for a given tire size.

A lot of people run 17" because it's the smallest you can go for the 5th gens.

If you're running say a 32" tire with a 20" rim, that means your sidewall is 6" tall; conversely on a 17" wheel your sidewall is 7.5" tall. That means a smoother ride and better ability for the tire to deform around objects when you go off-roading.

For dirt roads and fire roads you will be fine with a 20" wheel, but the ride will feel stiffer due to the shorter sidewall.

 

[philsey]

Toyota has starting to put 20"s on some of their sr5 trims.

More likely the dealer swapping around wheels, not Toyota.

.....but the wheels I've seen in 20 are do gawdy.

Agree. I've seen some 18" OEM wheels off a 4th Gen (LE maybe?) that IMO look really good. Personal, but I really do not like the blingy, skinny wheels on the LE.

 

[skt4271]

It's the gunner 20" wheels, I can'T figure out what tires size or if there's a lift though.

 

[Sean K.]

More sidewall is generally better offroad.

 

[Klevrboy]

Happy with 20s

I have the XP 20 inch wheels on the SR5Premium 4x4. I don't know if they are more beneficial than the 17s but I really like the way they look.

 

[wanderMT]

The reason many switch to 17", as I also did, is choice in tires. Choice in 20" is very limited but starting to increase.

 

[oddjob142]

I was told at discount that 20's look much better but don't perform as well off road. Also, as mentioned above, the 17's will have a smoother ride and will be more comfortable. The 17's will also be cheaper than buying tires on the 20's. I had the same dilemma and went with 17's. I went more for saving money in the long run and usefulness. If you get into hairy stuff, you can air down the 17's to help traction, not so much for 20".

20" = more show
17" = more go, less $$

 

[Car Nut]

I was told at discount that 20's look much better but don't perform as well off road. Also, as mentioned above, the 17's will have a smoother ride and will be more comfortable. The 17's will also be cheaper than buying tires on the 20's. I had the same dilemma and went with 17's. I went more for saving money in the long run and usefulness. If you get into hairy stuff, you can air down the 17's to help traction, not so much for 20".

20" = more show
17" = more go, less $$

Yep.

Softer ride with smaller rims = more sidewall (tire)

Superior for off-roading.

I "may" be going with the Limited myself so need to get new tires ASAP.

What tires are people using for off-roading with 20" wheels?

 

[skunkworker]

Not to mention, if you are in the snow and slide into a curb, you probably wouldn't damage a rim if you're running 17s. Having sidewall can save you $$.

 

[Three50Bowtie]

17s are just right!

 

[fourwd1]

More sidewall is generally better offroad.

More sidewall is always better offroad.

 

[Sean K.]

More sidewall is always better offroad.

Not necessarily. Depends on the ratio of sidewall to wheel as well as use.

I know guys running 42s with 20's for rock racing that need the larger rim to keep the sidewall from rolling through a high speed corner...when a 42 on a 17" rim is an option. For that situation....it just doesn't work as well on their car.

Same thing with all sorts of offroad use.....if you're running a quad on relatively smooth hard pack, it's often better to have a shorter, stiffer sidewall than a big, balloon tire.'

I usually try to avoid absolutisms.