4Runner vs Tacoma, wheel frustrations

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Hey folks, hoping there's a straight answer to this.

Bought a set of 32 x 11.5's on 15" alloys, which were fit and run on a '04 Taco, so same platform, and my understanding is, bolt pattern and offset are identical.

1996 4Runner, stock wheels and steels that I have are all 16".

Just found an OEM alloy 15" to mount the spare 32 on so everything is equal.

Now, the place that was putting a leveling kit in front, and tossing on the wheels/tires, called and said the wheels run into the brake caliper and dust shield. Continued, saying that they didn't think 15's would fit on the 4Runner.

Am I missing something, or does this place just not fully understand Toyotas (they're definitely a big American truck, bolt on accessory kinda place, not a full blown mechanics shop).

They suggested wheel spacers, "1.25" should be enough". I'm not a fan of *should*.

I thought I'd be needing them with the 32's anyway, so I'm okay with it, unless there's a bigger issue, or I'm doing something stupid, in which case, please share!

 

[Bad Luck]

Hey folks, hoping there's a straight answer to this.

Bought a set of 32 x 11.5's on 15" alloys, which were fit and run on a '04 Taco, so same platform, and my understanding is, bolt pattern and offset are identical.

1996 4Runner, stock wheels and steels that I have are all 16".

Just found an OEM alloy 15" to mount the spare 32 on so everything is equal.

Now, the place that was putting a leveling kit in front, and tossing on the wheels/tires, called and said the wheels run into the brake caliper and dust shield. Continued, saying that they didn't think 15's would fit on the 4Runner.

Am I missing something, or does this place just not fully understand Toyotas (they're definitely a big American truck, bolt on accessory kinda place, not a full blown mechanics shop).

They suggested wheel spacers, "1.25" should be enough". I'm not a fan of *should*.

I thought I'd be needing them with the 32's anyway, so I'm okay with it, unless there's a bigger issue, or I'm doing something stupid, in which case, please share!

Sounds like it's you not them. Only base model 4Runners came with the smaller front brakes to clear 15 inch wheels. I'm not even sure spacers will allow you to use 15 inch wheels. It would have been wise to check fitment before getting the tires mounted IMO.

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

I’m no expert but from what I’ve heard SOME but not all 15s will clear cause I looked into it as well, what I gathered is that it’s a crapshoot due to some 15s having a larger inside barrel diameter than others. (I think that’s the correct term??)

If your running the tundra brake upgrade then no 15s will fit regardless but I’m assuming that’s not the case.

Also give it a look and see how much they rub the calipers. I’m no fan of shaving calipers to fit a wheel by any means but if even taking off a couple millimeters will make them fit then I’d just do that rather than spacers or throwing money at wheels till one fits.


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[Mendoncyclesmith]

Sounds like it's you not them.

That's usually the problem... hwell:

Crap.

I had no idea there were "smaller brakes" etc. My (now annoying and expensive) mistake.

So Taco's all came with smaller brakes too, then? Or just the base model in them too?

I bought the set used, two tires were basically new, two were shot. Got two brand new tires, was going to use one of the old ones on the spare wheel I just bought.

In the interest of making this work if it can, safely?

Any thoughts or outside the box suggestions?

Really wasn't planning on blowing $2K plus on new wheels and tires, and all my other wheels are 16's so I can't use the tires on any of them.

Crap, crap, crap. :doh:

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

If your running the tundra brake upgrade then no 15s will fit regardless but I’m assuming that’s not the case.

Thanks, stock brakes from 1996, no upgrade there.

 

[Bad Luck]

That's usually the problem... hwell:

Crap.

I had no idea there were "smaller brakes" etc. My (now annoying and expensive) mistake.

So Taco's all came with smaller brakes too, then? Or just the base model in them too?

I bought the set used, two tires were basically new, two were shot. Got two brand new tires, was going to use one of the old ones on the spare wheel I just bought.

In the interest of making this work if it can, safely?

Any thoughts or outside the box suggestions?

Really wasn't planning on blowing $2K plus on new wheels and tires, and all my other wheels are 16's so I can't use the tires on any of them.

Crap, crap, crap. :doh:

You can try wheel spacers, but I don't see that really fixing the fitment issue. Any 4Runner/Tacoma equipped and sold with 15 inch wheels have the smaller front brakes in order to clear the 15 inch wheels.

 

[brillo_76]

I have a 5pd sr5 with 15 inch aluminum wheels that I will be putting 16 inch rims on it.

Being all my others are 16 inch. No way am I keeping these as it doesn't match my fleet. Are you after 15 inch front calipers?



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[Endlessblockades]

As suggested - go with 16s if you can. It make your life a lot easier.

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Thanks all.

TL/DR, I use a lot of words, hopefully they entertain, and inform, and create a better understanding so I can get a better solution, I appreciate this community very much. If novellas upset you, you can cut to the chase in the final paragraph!

I know this may be a simple thing to many, but much as I love Sophie, I'm not a tech nerd, and I just never will be.

I did install my own K+N CAI this week though. I don't do much off road at all, no deep stream fording, and in the northeast, dusty driving really isn't an issue, so I'm taking my chances, hoping to gain a few MPG, and the thing does make the truck drive a little more *something*, though perhaps it's my inner teenager appreciating the added kick to the Magnflow Overland stainless exhaust she got last year. All those were due to input from folks here.

Added the Gobi ladder this Spring, got some new StrongArm struts for my hatch (thanks to comments here), and she's looking ready to rock.

Then I find myself halfway up the sidewalls, spinning on this wheel tire thing that I already spent more than I'd budgeted for. So the question is, call in an expensive extraction, or slap down some recovery planks and hope they don't damage the truck in the process. (off roading analogy for illustrative purposes only)....

I had no idea there were different caliper sizes.

I do know in my past, late 80's early 90's Toyota pickups would warp their rotors on the regular, till I finally got a good tip (??) and did slotted rotors and ceramic pads, which stopped it cold.

Is that the 15" caliper? Too small for proper heat dissipation, so I'm buying hassle unless I change rotors and pads too?

Cause it looks like I can get 15" calipers for a couple hundred bucks, and be done with it. Which to me, right now, looks a whole lot better than dropping $1500 on 16" tires for my current steel rims which have slight rubbing on the frame with the 31x10.5's on there now. They're off my old '04 Taco, and may be creating the issue themselves (I've asked about this before on here).

So I have the stock alloys. But they need cosmetic love, so I'm adding to the $1500 in tires, to get no rub, but a wider tire so it may rub and need fixing too.

GAH! :hurt:

So is spending $300 for 15" calipers a bad idea, in the face of spending thousands more to get something that works with 16" calipers, and causes me to end up with weird wheels/tires I can't likely get my money back out of?


And, PICS!

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

With all the extra weight on there it wouldn’t be smart to downgrade your braking power. Also I understand why you want 15s but your running only slightly larger than stock tires. Is the 1/2” gain in sidewall really worth all this trouble?

There are some very good options in 16 like 265/75, 255/85 and 285/75

Personally I wouldn’t spend 300 bucks to end up with less braking power not to mention actually doing the work and rebleeding everything.

Also I’m not sure if the ABS will work with the smaller calipers as most vehicles that had that were 2wd base models that used a proportioning valve and not ABS but maybe I’m wrong.


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[Mendoncyclesmith]

With all the extra weight on there it wouldn’t be smart to downgrade your braking power.

Thanks, good info. For all I knew, just two different caliper designs, but if braking is reduced, I'm not a fan.

Have a call in to the tire center to see if they'll work with me on a swap of the two new ones, if I buy two more, in 16". Hopefully they'll work with me.

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Okay, making progress here, but there always seems to be another hurdle.

Tire place will take back my 32/11.5/15's, and sell me 385/75/16's.

There's no direct 16", 32 x 11.5.

The 285/75 is 32.83" diameter versus 32.01" for the 32/11.5.

My limited understanding based on what I've read here is "33 inch is where things get trickier".

More suspension or body lifts? Body mods? I don't want to do that.

Currently running a couple year old OME 2" suspension lift, and just got this installed in front, on top of the 2" lift since the front end sat lower than the rear.

Just a moment...

Of course now the front's higher and I feel like I want another inch in back, but that's a separate thing unless someone thinks it's useful in the current context.

If the 285/75 pushes things too much, I'll need to revisit tire choices it seems.

Thanks again, got her muddy this weekend in some fields behind my GF's place, so she's happily dirty this morning.

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Threads like this only serve to confuse, too.

Making 285/75s fit on a 3rd Gen

Seems "some people make some fit, while others can't with lifts and cutting/hammering/shaving/modding.

Given 2" lift rear, now, 4.5" lift front, do I just need to add an inch to the rear and call it a day with any tire model in that size a sure fit? Or, or or....?

This crap makes my head swim....:beer:

 

[phattyduck]

If the 285/75 pushes things too much, I'll need to revisit tire choices it seems.

285/75-16 will require some clearancing. 265-75-16 (metric 32's) are the max before mods - only ~1" up from the stock 16" wheel size.

15" wheel 4Runners had smaller brakes (calipers and rotors up front, smaller rear wheel cylinder to match), smaller overall diameter tires (~29" instead of ~31") and different axle ratios to match. Minor shock/spring tuning differences too, but not enough to matter for this discussion.

-Charlie

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

Are you looking for a MT tire or considering one? I’d go with 255/85/16.

They are taller than the 285s but with 3rd gens that’s not where the problem lies.

It’s the width that’s the issue.

After about 10 mins of clearancing I fit 255/85s with no front lift at all and I have a winch upfront weighing it down. I am running 1.25 inch spacers for my tundra brakes so that will also have an effect.

I’m sure your probably not looking for MTs but I thought I’d throw that out there


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[Mendoncyclesmith]

Well crap, okay, thanks, that's the added info I needed.

Gonna stick with "metric 32's" I guess, I can't afford to throw any more money at this for the year, I'm already well past my annual play budget as it is.

So I'm assuming that with the 265's I shouldn't need wheel spacers or anything, fingers crossed...

As for the M/T, they might look cool on there, but with the bump of nearly $200 extra for all 4, just more money for no value added, especially for my use.

Appreciate the insight!

 

[phattyduck]

So I'm assuming that with the 265's I shouldn't need wheel spacers or anything, fingers crossed...

You may need to do an alignment with 'max caster' to move the wheel forward in the wheel well, but otherwise a 265/75-17 with a reasonable offset will clear just fine.

And an alignment isn't a mod - that comes out of the maintenance budget. :high5:

-Charlie

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

You may need to do an alignment with 'max caster' to move the wheel forward in the wheel well, but otherwise a 265/75-17 with a reasonable offset will clear just fine.

And an alignment isn't a mod - that comes out of the maintenance budget. :high5:

-Charlie

Got it, yeah, thanks, I was planning on an alignment anyway, with new tires, new LBJ's and a front end leveling kit, all freshly applied, it'd likely need it, but I'll add the max caster to the list of things to mention.

Oh, good call, too bad an alignment is amongst the cheapest of my recent expenditures, cause it always feels nice to find another category to put receipts in....:nod:

Shop got my tires off, the beads look super clean, hopefully Mavis will be okay with how they look, my return credit hinges on them not being torn up by installation.

Now, to figure out what's the best option in the size I need to stick with!

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

265/75/16 Cooper Discoverers going on, Sunday. Happily, the tire place was willing to trade these out for what I needed, so kudos to Mavis Tire, despite being huge and corporate, they dealt with this seamlessly, professionally, and with a degree of personal touch I'm unaccustomed to in these scenarios, so they've earned my respect.

Now for the weirdo tech question of the morning.

I just yesterday, got my one, 15" OEM alloy off eBay, that was supposed to be my spare tire wheel (my OEM spare wheel is rusted to hell and a 16") and receive one of the mostly dead 15" tires from this deal. A functional emergency spare tire, and nothing more.

Since the 15" will fit the rear, and I still have two, almost new 32/11.5/15's, is it a feasible thought to buy a 2" wheel spacer to keep in the truck (I'd check to confirm wheel fitment before making this decision and mounting the tire), and install for an emergency drive home, in a front flat situation?

Worth noting, I've never used a wheel spacer and have no idea if I can even install one in a flat on the side of the road/trail situation, so feel free to call me an idiot if need be! :

Tire diameter seems close enough, (since it's not AWD), to work, but I'm not sure if having one front wheel kicked out further than the other, is somehow going to damage stuff over the course of hopefully never too long of a drive to a repair center.

Just trying to make the best of a dumb move on my part now!! :thumb3:

 

[Bad Luck]

265/75/16 Cooper Discoverers going on, Sunday. Happily, the tire place was willing to trade these out for what I needed, so kudos to Mavis Tire, despite being huge and corporate, they dealt with this seamlessly, professionally, and with a degree of personal touch I'm unaccustomed to in these scenarios, so they've earned my respect.

Now for the weirdo tech question of the morning.

I just yesterday, got my one, 15" OEM alloy off eBay, that was supposed to be my spare tire wheel (my OEM spare wheel is rusted to hell and a 16") and receive one of the mostly dead 15" tires from this deal. A functional emergency spare tire, and nothing more.

Since the 15" will fit the rear, and I still have two, almost new 32/11.5/15's, is it a feasible thought to buy a 2" wheel spacer to keep in the truck (I'd check to confirm wheel fitment before making this decision and mounting the tire), and install for an emergency drive home, in a front flat situation?

Worth noting, I've never used a wheel spacer and have no idea if I can even install one in a flat on the side of the road/trail situation, so feel free to call me an idiot if need be! :

Tire diameter seems close enough, (since it's not AWD), to work, but I'm not sure if having one front wheel kicked out further than the other, is somehow going to damage stuff over the course of hopefully never too long of a drive to a repair center.

Just trying to make the best of a dumb move on my part now!! :thumb3:

It would probably be cheaper to get a used 16 inch spare from another toyota 4Runner/Tacoma or 1st gen Sequoia/Tundra. I don't think wheel spacers are going to fix your fitment issue.

If you are really set on using the 15 inch spare wheel then you can always put it on the rear and then move the rear wheel to the front if you have a flat in the front.