4runner height/tire size questions

[DDCHislop]

Hey fellow 4runner owners!

I have a 2000 2wd SR5 that I have a few (noobish) questions about...

I've noticed that my 4runner sits a little lower than most 4 runners I've seen (that don't appear to have any major mods) and I was wondering if that is mostly because of my rim size or tire size. I have 225/75 R15 tires on there now. All of my tires are beginning to have sidewall cracking so I need to change them soon and I was wondering if there is any sort of tire size I could change to so it would lift the car up a little more without having a negative effect on MPG, handling, etc. I mainly just prefer the look of it sitting a little higher. Maybe getting 16" rims is the answer... Im not sure and that is why Im seeking consul!

Thanks in advance for replies!

 

[DDCHislop]

Here are some pics...

 

[blonde1boarder]

The diameter of the 225/75/15 is around 28 inches while lots of 4runners will have 265/75/16 which are closer to 32 inches so they will definitely look higher compared to yours.

The a larger tire would also fill in the wheel wells which looks nicer.

 

[Ruff]

Tires

I am new to this site also so, don't have as much knowledge as a lot of people here.

My 4r is a 2001 and it came with 265/70-16 tires.
If you put those size tires and wheels you will go from 28.3 in to 30.6 in of tire height. The 265's are much wider and I think they will look better.

I have read many threads stating that you can put 265/75-16 in a stock car like yours and mine without requiring mods.

Try this sites for diagrams showing you the difference in tire dimensions and expected speedometer readings:
Visual Tire calculator - Find correct tire size
Tire size calculator

Do a search on the site and you will find a lot of information on this site. The more you read, the more you will learn.


Ruff

 

[DDCHislop]

Cool. Thanks for the replies guys!

So basically my first step is to get 16" or 17" rims, then new tires?

or is there a bigger tire they make for my current 15" rims that will do the job?


Also, if I go to a bigger rim how will that effect the vehicle's performance (MPG, handling, breaking, etc)?

 

[BigSlim]

These are 265-75-17's

 

[DDCHislop]

These are 265-75-17's

Looks nice! Do you have to do any other mods to the breaks or anything to fit wheels that size?

Did you start with 15's or 16's?

 

[05SVRACER]

The bigger wheels and tires will hinder accel and stopping power a bit. But, not enough to really grant upgrading the brakes. It will change the gearing to drop the RPMs though, better gas mileage on the highway The Tundra front brake swap is awfully tempting though. If you go much bigger than 265s you're going to want to lift it and may have to do some fender and bumper trim "modification"

 

[Supra725]

heres mine.

265/75/16 Duratrac's

 

[Mr.4runner]

On the same wheels and without lifting it you can 31-10.50/15. It's about the same size as the 265-75-16.

 

[BigSlim]

Looks nice! Do you have to do any other mods to the breaks or anything to fit wheels that size?

Did you start with 15's or 16's?

No other mods have been done. I can't say what was on it prior to my buying it. This is what came on it when I bought it. But I don't feel any down sides to the larger wheel and tire size. Still getting 16/22 mileage. But I don't dog it trying to beat everything on the road. Just normal easy driving.

 

[BigSlim]

heres mine.

265/75/16 Duratrac's

I love the look of those Duratrac's. If I did anything else than highway driving I would have to get a set of those. My Yoko's do well in most everything I might try to tackle. Good looking rig you have. :cheers:

 

[paddlenbike]

I would take the advice of others and move to a 16" wheel (either the stock split-3 spoke or the Highlander/Limited 5 spoke) or perhaps even a 17" FJ Cruiser or Tundra/Sequoia wheel. The fact that you have a 15" wheel means you have the smallest brakes the 4Runner ever came with, whereas most 4WD V6 4Runners have brakes that won't even accomodate a 15" wheel. A larger wheel will keep your options open for later, when you get the mod bug.

 

[Supra725]

I love the look of those Duratrac's. If I did anything else than highway driving I would have to get a set of those. My Yoko's do well in most everything I might try to tackle. Good looking rig you have. :cheers:

thank you..
I have about about 12k miles on the tyres and they seem to do quite well.. wears out nice and even.. even with the miles on it, it still looks like new..

 

[seanshreds]

I am sure others will correct me if I am wrong but because you do not have the 99 tall suspension, I am pretty sure the largest tire you would be able to go with without a lift/trimming fenders would be 265/70/16 (30.6 inch tire). This is the stock size for 4runners that come with 16 inch wheels. In my opinion, this would be the best choice if you are looking for something bigger but not in the category of oversized tires. Also, with getting bigger tires, you will need to get your speedometer adjusted for your new tires in order to have the correct speed reading. If you did not do this, you would be going faster than what it said.

 

[JayRolla]

I am sure others will correct me if I am wrong but because you do not have the 99 tall suspension, I am pretty sure the largest tire you would be able to go with without a lift/trimming fenders would be 265/70/16 (30.6 inch tire). This is the stock size for 4runners that come with 16 inch wheels. In my opinion, this would be the best choice if you are looking for something bigger but not in the category of oversized tires. Also, with getting bigger tires, you will need to get your speedometer adjusted for your new tires in order to have the correct speed reading. If you did not do this, you would be going faster than what it said.

No all models can run the 265/75r16. I ran them on my 1996 in all terrain, no rub at all. When I got M/T they rubbed at full lock when hitting a bump barely on the valence but after a little wear they would barely rub even when offroading.

 

[seanshreds]

No all models can run the 265/75r16. I ran them on my 1996 in all terrain, no rub at all. When I got M/T they rubbed at full lock when hitting a bump barely on the valence but after a little wear they would barely rub even when offroading.

Wow that is really nice to know for myself as well! Thanks for the info! That is with no lift right?