This thread really has had me thinking over the past day or two. Mainly on how to eloquently state an opinion on why 24" rims are a bad idea on a 4runner. I guess my previous attempts were a bit too much of a "harsh-reality" type answer, and I have to keep reminding myself that this isn't pirate4x4.com, and some people take the internet way too seriously. So I'll try again, as best I can, to break down each reason I feel large rims on a 4runner are a bad idea. These three reasons I have, are pefrormance, aesthetics, and logistics.
Let's talk about logistics first. One needs to take into consideration that the largest tire one can fit on their stock 4runner is 31" diameter. 32's if you're feeling brave and take it easy. Now let's look at the desired rim size. At 24", with a 31" tire, that leaves a total difference of 7". That comes down to 3.5" of rubber between the road and the rim. Take into account the loss in diameter you get once the tire is mounted, and you're probably closer to 2.5" or less of overall sidewall. Are there tires out there that will fit this application? Sure. I guess. I really don't know, I've never actually looked. But what I do know is that by the math, your expensive rim is only an inch or two away from pavement. Hit a pothole or speedbump too fast and your rim is destroyed. You'd be lucky if you only damaged ONE rim. Rims are expensive, and they're expensive to replace. Keep in mind that most people in this situation only purchase 4 rims. You would need a spare, and should you resort to the stock spare that's under the vehicle, you're going to have a seriously fun drive back to the tire shop.
That's reality. Now let's talk about performance. As we all know, to fit a larger rim, especially in the 20" and up size, you will need a somewhat larger diameter tire. Larger diameter tires put more leverage (therefore stress) on your axles. This is added stress that was not accounted for in the original design and engineering of your axles. Are you fully equipped and prepared to swap out an axle after you snap one while showing off to your friends in a parking lot/street race/whatever? Think it won't happen? It will:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8znD7-l5Tmo
Even the inadvertent quick acceleration could snap it. Granted, Toyota axles are pretty stout, and it is very unlikely in all but the most extreme situations, but this is one of many things you need to be aware of when considering larger rims. Also, larger rims and tires are heavy. Going from a stock aluminum rim to a large chromed steel rim is a considerable weight difference. The stock brakes on 4runners were not designed to adequately stop the vehicle with this added unsprung weight. Without some braking system upgrades, you are less prepared to make an emergency stop, which could yield some very bad results.
Let's also talk about speedometer calibration. Early on, you mention your lack of concern for the loss in performance due to getting speeding tickets. One thing you have to realize is that when you increase the overall diameter of your tire, your speedometer reads SLOWER than you are actually going. The larger the tire is from stock calibration, the higher the percentage the speedo is thrown off. For example, if you go from a stock 260/65/R16 to let's say 205/75/R20, your speedometer will say you are going 60 mph, when in reality, you are going 67 mph. That's a speeding ticket in some areas.
Now let's talk about aesthetics. Let's talk about form, balance, and proportion--all of which a 4runner has in stock configuration. When you start messing with the aesthetic balance of the vehicle, and throwing proportions off, things begin to look a bit absurd. 4runners are small vehicles. They just simply cannot look "good" with large rims. I personally think a 4runner on 44" swampers looks rediculous, of course unless it is running on a 4-linked Dana 60 or 404 axles with cut fenders with a completely custom suspension and full cage. But given that case, even still, things can look bad, and sometimes do.
Large rims on a small SUV just looks unproportional. Conversely, small rims on a large SUV look bad. Take the Chevy Avalanche for example: Huge SUV, small rims. Personally, I think they should have come with 18-20" rims from the factory. Look at the new Dodge Ram trucks: Huge trucks, that also come stock with 18" rims. Just look at any big SUV that can pull off the 24" rim look. Why? Because they're bigger vehicles. They still look proportional. Large rims on a small vehicle just simply do not look proportional, and therefore throw the overall aesthetic balance of the vehicle off. Another aesthetic value, in addition to safety, is the now visible TINY brake calipers and rotors that would be exposed by the large void left by large rims. You now have a 24" diameter rim spinning around a 10" or whatever rotor. Not only IS it inadequate, it also LOOKS inadequate. It just looks unsafe. It is proportionally unbalanced. Now you can always upgrade the front rotors to something bigger, but what about the rear? You are still left with the tiny stock drum, unless you plan on some custom brake work.
Now let's address the last question in the first post. "Semi mud tires on 22" rims." First of all, I don't know what semi mud tires are, unless you mean mud tires for a semi, but that would just be rediculous. If in fact you mean A/T or M/T tires, let's step back and think about what is being asked. M/T or A/T tires simply do not come in 24" rim sizes. It just doesn't happen. Some of the SMALLEST mud or all-terrain tires for a 20" rim are 35". You won't fit a 35" tire on a stock 4runner. You won't fit a 35" tire on a 3" lifted 4runner. You will need to be doing some serious (what I'd call serious for this board) suspension work to fit 35" tires. They simply do not come any smaller for 20" rims. They definitely don't exist in a 30-30" size for a 20" rim. And they just are not made for 24" rims--it just isn't done, and won't be any time soon. If you need an explination on why, please say so and I'll be glad to throw in my two cents. If anyone wants to post up a link and prove me wrong, please do.
These are just my own reasons and opinions, to be taken with a grain of salt. Ultimately, it is your vehicle, and your money to do with and spend as you wish. Hopefully you will like the results of your rims on your 4runner. Hopefully you will be able to take lightly any criticism that is offered your way. But in the end, do what makes you happy, because it is YOUR vehicle, and you get to make the decisions.
That Denali on the MTV show, Rob & Big, had me drooling over it.
D).
