2012 "limited" and 20" tires

[holcombr48]

Hello,
I bought a limited with the 20 inch wheels (yokahama Geolander (245/60/20) 1/2 worn
I love the rig but, my old truck 2007 4runner rides more smoother.
Is it the tires........I wanted to swap tires on my 2007 sr5 ( 265/65/17)
Big O has told me they would not work....They said it would throw the alignment off and the tire sensors would not work right.........You guys told me they would about three days ago post.
Now I am doubtful..........Will the 2012 ride the same even with my 17 inch wheels and tires........The limited only has 23,000 miles. I would not think any parts are worn. MAYBE I just need new tires. But I do not care for the "tall skinny" look.
I do not off-road.....no rock climbing....just dirt roads bird hunting here in Idaho........Would 20 inch tires give me better gas mileage? Is that the reason they put them on? I do not want to buy new tires if they have the same SKINNY look...........THANKS

 

[jwkilgore]

They put them on for looks. Most people think 20" wheels look more "elegant" than 17s with the same overall tire diameter.

Never trust anything a big-box shop says about customizing. All they know is straight factory because that's all their manual tells them. Assuming you stick with the same overall outer diameter (265-70R-17), putting 17" SR5 wheels on a LE will have precisely zero affect on alignment or "tire sensors" wtf, or anything else. You can't go less than 17", though; 16's won't fit around your brakes.

Theoretically the 17's will ride softer than 20's because there is more sidewall to flex, especially if it's the same brand & type of tire. But extra-stiff 17" tires of one brand may be stiffer than extra-soft 20" tires from another brand.

It is easier to get low-rolling resistance tires in 20", which will generate better mileage. Even without LRR, what makes 17's ride smoother is sidewall deflection... and extra sidewall deflection will have a detrimental affect on mileage and on cornering.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

The limited has the xreas suspension. It rides much stiffer than the others. The 20s magnify this also.

 

[rigtec]

Hello, I bought a limited with the 20 inch wheels (yokahama Geolander (245/60/20) 1/2 worn
I love the rig but, my old truck 2007 4runner rides more smoother.
Is it the tires........I wanted to swap tires on my 2007 sr5 ( 265/65/17)
Big O has told me they would not work....They said it would throw the alignment off and the tire sensors would not work right.........You guys told me they would about three days ago post.
Now I am doubtful..........Will the 2012 ride the same even with my 17 inch wheels and tires........The limited only has 23,000 miles. I would not think any parts are worn. MAYBE I just need new tires. But I do not care for the "tall skinny" look.
I do not off-road.....no rock climbing....just dirt roads bird hunting here in Idaho........Would 20 inch tires give me better gas mileage? Is that the reason they put them on? I do not want to buy new tires if they have the same SKINNY look...........THANKS

Hi holcombr,

As stated above, the limited utilizes a specialized suspension system that's affectionately called X-REAS (Xross REelative Absorber System... no shortage of information in the board's library (search function)!

Most of the guys and gals here replace the new 245/60 R20 immediately upon acquiring the new 4Runner because as you've acknowledged, they look too small for the wheel wells and have poor traction even on dry pavement! I actually love the way my Good*Years hug the road at very high speeds e.g., 85 and up... still feels like 45-50 mph! Here's a look at the Good*Year Eagle LS-2 275/55 R20 that I put on mine:

And the one's below if you look, on the right is the brand new Gd*Yr Eagle just off the shelf w/No Rim. On the Left the Geolander 245/60 R20 on rim @ 35 PSI (fully inflated)!

"Can you see the huge difference in size?" They've been on for about three and a half years and not a single problem/no lift!

Cheers!

 

[JayceeP]

I run 17" Michelin's on steel rims in the winter and I really notice very little difference in ride between those and the 20's. The only difference I notice is the 17's have less road wander on the highway.