18" TRD Wheels

[Toy-Man]

A question was asked of me by AlexJet on another thread about the wheels on my 4R.

These wheels are the TRD 18" Wheel/Tire package offered by TRD last year. They came as a package of 4 wheel/tires for about $1750.00US, If I remember right. They also offered the wheels only at about $400.00US each. I don't think they are still available through TRD as I did a quick check and didn't see them there. These wheels are made by BBS are real good quality and should still be available through wheel dealers who deal with that company. They are the BBS series RW wheels and come in both 18" and 20". I personally find 20" wheels to be a bit excessive for an offroad rig like the 4R, but that's just my opinion.

The only difference between the TRD wheels and the BBS version is the TRD wheels cam with TRD composite centers, otherwise they are exact fit. The OEM lugs fit perfectly as these wheels, like the originals are lug centric. (See Thai's posts elsewhere on the board)

Mine came with Michelin Cross Terrain 275/55 18 tires. A great combination. Although they are a bit wider, they fit in the wheel wells without any problems, no rubbing on the turns etc. and the wheels are the exact correct offset for the 4R with these tires. Tire diameter is very close to the original 17", shy by about 2% meaning your speedo will be off (on the high side) by 2 % (ie if you were traveling at 100 Kph, your speedo will show 102 KPH or there abouts.

I use my original 17" wheels with Bridgestone Blizzak DMZ3, the only tire I could find last year that was 265/65 17. The Blizzaks worked great in the ice and snow, one of the better tires I have used in the winter.

 

[Toy-Man]

Here's another picture (My avatar)

 

[AlexJet]

As far as you saying 275/55R18 are not rubbing. Have you think about 275/65R18? Looks like more suitable, because yours ones are 2.16% smaller diameter (30.56" - original 265/65R17, 20.90 - 275/55R18).
Does anyone know if 275/65R18 going to fit?

 

[kimboy]

Looks nice, where did you get them for so cheap? If you had a flat, would you consider using the 17" spare? Or would you tow to a garage. What did you do about the tire pressure monitoring system?

 

[Toy-Man]

kimboy,
Thanks for the compliment on the wheels. I am very happy with the appearance as well. To answer your questions;
1. I got the wheels from Toyota of Goldsboro, NC about a year ago. I see they have gone up in price considerably, now asking $2420.00. I think I paid $1750.00 or something like that, I remember they were on sale at the time.

2. I have not had many flat tires in my lifetime of driving, only one flat in approx 1,000,000 KMs but I would use the OEM spare since the circumference is not much larger than than these tires and only to get me to the nearest garage. I mounted winter tires on the OEM rims (Blizzak DMZ3).

3. I do not have the pressure monitoring "feature" on my 4R (2003) so I still use the old fashion method of checking cold tire presssure about once per week.

AlexJet,
I did not bother with the 65 profile tires since the wheels came with the 55 profile included in the package. These 65 profile tires are a very close match in diameter compared to the OEM tires. The 65s are almost 2 " bigger in diameter. Not sure if they would fit or not.

 

[kimboy]

I scored a set of these rims new tires. I'll disable the TPS System during one of my future oil changes. But, for now, I'm pretty psyched that they are coming.

Yay for me for not buying 06' Limited 18" wheels.

 

[curtis]

I scored a set of these rims for $860 shipped w/ new tires. I'll disable the TPS System during one of my future oil changes. But, for now, I'm pretty psyched that they are coming.

Yay for me for not buying 06' Limited 18" wheels.

Can you tell us how you got that deal?

 

[kimboy]

I did a search on ebay for "TRD 18" and I found a completed auction where nobody bid. Listed in the auction was a contact number and email address. I decided to contact the seller (nice guy, I think is name is Billy) by email and then by phone to offer a price for the rims and tires shipped. I asked $850 which is a deal considering the rims must cost that much themselves. Also, that price would also be approximately $1000 off the cheapest place on the net.

He came back with a little higher offer of 860 due to the weight and shipping costs. I agreed on a price, and paid him through Paypal. I may have to be home to accept the package, however, that's in the details.

I have 36K on my Dunlops and figured Michelin tires at costco would be approximately $750 OTD (S-rated). The tread depth on the Michelin Cross Terrain (275/55 18) is 420, which is much better than what I have today. The 420 tread depth is also the same on the 265 65 (or 70) 17's. (less the 17" H rated Michelins - their rated at 500)

I figured the starting bid of 700 would be the lowest he could sell them for considering he did have a reserve and a BIN price of $1300. And $160 for shipping 4 large rims/tires is about right.

In the subcontract world, I call the negitated price to be "fair and reasonable"

I was looking for these rims and or the BBS RW's (same style, just not rebadged for toyota) for a while. I considered getting 20's however, replacement costs for a 20" tires is about $280 per tire. Tirerack sells the 275 55 18's for $141. That's less than the price of the 265 70 17's.

Who would have thunk it. Anyways, I wouldn't imagine he this was his only set.

 

[curtis]

Very cool!!

By the way, by "tread depth" I think you mean "tread wear rating".

A little tidbit of info: The tread wear rating is not standardized among tire manufacturers, it is arbitrary and pertains to the manufacturer's own tires. They just rate them against tires they make...not anybodyelses. What it means is that if they make a tire and rate it a 400, it last twice as long as a tire they make that is rated at 200....but doesn't mean it will last twice as long as another manufacturer's tire rated at 200.

 

[kimboy]

Wow these tires and rims are heavy. I must say Town and Country Toyota did a supper job with shipping. I placed my call last Friday at 5pm and the rims shipped out on Monday, and were delivered Today, Thursday on a 340 lbs. pallet. (via freight)

I was planning on having the wheels balanced, but they came balanced with the inner sticker counterweights. Awesome.

Once I get my wheel locks from ebay, I'll change my brake pads and install these TRD wheels.

 

[kimboy]

New pics

 

[kimboy]

275 55 18's front view