5th Gen Wheels, potential issues to mount on 4th Gen T4R

[webby]

I have a 4th Gen SR5 V6. OEM tires were 265/65/17's. I will stick with the stock size tires, but don't care for the SR5 wheels. I bought a set of the 5th Gen Trail Edition Wheels (without tires) that were take-offs. Those wheels from the factory had 265/70/17's, but the width and diameter of the rim is identical to my OEM SR5 rims, so my 265/65/17 tires will fit perfectly. So there is no problem whatsoever with regard to tire fit.

Also, the bolt pattern is identical. The 5th Gen 6 lug wheel matches up and bolts up perfectly with my 6 lug SR5 hubs.

But in doing measurements on the 4th Gen SR5 wheels vs. the 5th Gen Trail Edition wheels, here is where I find some differences, so that brings me to my questions:

Backspacing difference (measured from mounting pad on back of wheels to a point determined by placing a straight edge across the back of the outside edge of the wheel rim):
5th Gen Wheel: 5"
OEM 4th Gen Wheel: 5 1/2"

With each rim mounted on my 4th Gen 4Runner, then taking a comparative measurement by dropping a plumb line from the outside of the front fender well down in front of the rim, the measurement from the outside edge of the wheel rim to my plumb line is:
5th Gen wheel, 1 3/8"
OEM 4th Gen wheel, 2"
Therefore, each 5th Gen wheel sits 5/8" farther outboard than each 4th Gen wheel, which equals a combined 1 1/4" wider stance for the vehicle.

The odd thing to me from these two sets of measurements is that from the backspacing, it would seem that the OEM 4th Gen wheels would sit out farther once on the vehicle, than the 5th Gen wheels, but we can see from the second set of measurements taken from the outside of the rims, that this measurement shows the exact opposite. It seems odd to me, but I double-checked my measurements.

So now I am trying to decide whether I should even use these 5th Gen wheels on my 4th Gen T4R. I am concerned that I may be applying extra stress and wear to the suspension if I mount the 5th Gen wheels, since they seem to ride farther outboard, and I expect that this also affects factory suspension settings, such as caster and camber.

Here is where I am coming from: If there are even mild negative effects to my suspension, then I will just not use my newly acquired 5th Gen wheels on my 4th Gen. I run my 4Runners stock with hardly any modifications. I just preferred the look of these wheels, but I don't want to cause myself suspension problems or undue wear on the suspension. I'm even suspecting that the vehicle will handle differently. Bottom line, I'm not really a modder. Given all the facts as outlined, could I get some input from some forum members who are technically knowledgeable as to possible effects on my vehicle, were I to mount these rims on my 4th Gen?

Thanks much. Any technical input is greatly appreciated.

 

[DocMT]

No worries. That small difference shouldn't cause any issues at all. Lots of guys here are running FJ Cruiser wheels, which also give the 4th gen 4Runner a wider stance. I haven't heard of anyone having any negative effects from running the FJ wheels.

 

[webby]

No worries. That small difference shouldn't cause any issues at all. Lots of guys here are running FJ Cruiser wheels, which also give the 4th gen 4Runner a wider stance. I haven't heard of anyone having any negative effects from running the FJ wheels.

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I know the FJ Cruiser wheels are popular for 4Runners. I didn't realize those FJ wheels gave runners a wider stance. Anyone have any idea how much wider?

If no one knows any more technical information as to how the wider stance might or might not affect the 4Runner suspension longer term, I think I will go talk to the guys at my long-time Front End shop and ask their opinion. Anyone else have any input on this?

 

[DocMT]

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I know the FJ Cruiser wheels are popular for 4Runners. I didn't realize those FJ wheels gave runners a wider stance. Anyone have any idea how much wider?

If no one knows any more technical information as to how the wider stance might or might not affect the 4Runner suspension longer term, I think I will go talk to the guys at my long-time Front End shop and ask their opinion. Anyone else have any input on this?

It's not a big difference. If I remember correctly, it's only a difference of 15mm per side, so a total of 30mm wider stance.

The only thing that I can think of that might have some negative effect is the load on the wheel bearings. But like I said, it's a very small difference and shouldn't cause any problems at all. Consider how many guys are running wheel spacers on this forum alone. Spidertrax wheel spacers give you a much more wide stance than FJ wheels will, yet nobody seems to have any problems running the wheel spacers.

 

[webby]

It's not a big difference. If I remember correctly, it's only a difference of 15mm per side, so a total of 30mm wider stance.

The only thing that I can think of that might have some negative effect is the load on the wheel bearings. But like I said, it's a very small difference and shouldn't cause any problems at all. Consider how many guys are running wheel spacers on this forum alone. Spidertrax wheel spacers give you a much more wide stance than FJ wheels will, yet nobody seems to have any problems running the wheel spacers.

Thanks for that. I notice that a lot of T4R forum members use Spidertrax wheel spacers, but I don't know much about them. Pardon my ignorance, but why do they use them? Just to get the look of the wider stance, plus perhaps a greater stability in cornering?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

It's not a big difference. If I remember correctly, it's only a difference of 15mm per side, so a total of 30mm wider stance.

Exactly...

Thanks for that. I notice that a lot of T4R forum members use Spidertrax wheel spacers, but I don't know much about them. Pardon my ignorance, but why do they use them? Just to get the look of the wider stance, plus perhaps a greater stability in cornering?

Some people like the wider stance and claim minor improvements in stability/handling feel. The main reason people do the wheel spacers is to get bigger tires to sit out farther. That provides the necessary clearance between the big tire and the upper control arm. It looks cool too

 

[gm350reratliff]

Don't run those wheels! Major problems lay ahead! I can take those off your hands before you get hurt.








jk. Shouldn't be a problem. I would trade you my SAFE and stock SR5 wheels strait across for those if you are still worried.

 

[webby]

Don't run those wheels! Major problems lay ahead! I can take those off your hands before you get hurt.

jk. Shouldn't be a problem. I would trade you my SAFE and stock SR5 wheels strait across for those if you are still worried.

Thanx, but too late. :lol: I pulled the trigger today! :banana::banana:


Bought a new set of Michelin Cross Terrains and had them mounted and balanced on the 5th Gen Trail Edition Rims which are now gracing my 4th Gen! Looks good, IMHO. But I'll let you guys be the judge -- I've got to clean up the tires and rims since the install, so will post a pic or two in the next day or two after clean-up.

Thanx to all for the input!

 

[gm350reratliff]

I definitley want to see those pics.

 

[webby]

 

[DocMT]

I'm not a big fan of the Trail Edition wheels, but I have to say they look better than I thought they would on your 4Runner. You should take a picture down the side of your 4Runner so we can see how the new wheels fill out the wheel wells with the slightly wider stance.

 

[webby]

I'm not a big fan of the Trail Edition wheels, but I have to say they look better than I thought they would on your 4Runner. You should take a picture down the side of your 4Runner so we can see how the new wheels fill out the wheel wells with the slightly wider stance.

Allright, good idea, DocMT. I'll get to that later today or tomorrow a.m. and post additional pics from that vantage. I calculated that the TE wheels expand the stance of my 4Runner about 1 1/4", and looking from the front or down the side, I can definitely notice the difference.

Personally, I really liked the Trail Edition wheels ever since the 5th Gen first came out. Once I bought my 4th Gen 4Runner a few months ago, since I really didn't care for the SR5 wheels, I started considering getting a set of the TE wheels to put on it. At this very early stage, I'm very happy with the change.

 

[webby]

As requested, pics of my 4Runner with the new 5th Gen TE wheels and new Michelin Cross Terrain tires from different views to get an idea of the slightly wider stance.

 

[DocMT]

I like the wider stance. You can definitely see it in the pics. It looks like you still have room to go wider if you ever wanted to bring the wheels flush with the fender flares. I always though the fender flares on the '06-'09 4Runners made the wheels/tires look way too far set in, so the offset on those Trail Edition wheels definitely helps.