Disadvantages of 17" wheels

[robsonj]

Hi There,

We'll be purchasing a LE early next year, so doing all of my research. I was wondering if there are any disadvantages to going with 17" wheels on a LE?

Also is it possible to have the stock 20" wheel swapped for SR5 wheels at purchase usually?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Jonathan

 

[DannyLlama]

Lets see:

- Cheaper tires.
- More tire selection and size options.
- Option to make use of AT tires.

Not much disadvantage there


I havent heard of members on this forum have any success with the SR wheels swap. Thought anything is possible, just depends on your negotiating skills.

I have to ask, why not 18's? Best of both worlds in my opinion.

Good Luck!

 

[M1911]

Lets see:

- Cheaper tires.
- More tire selection and size options.
- Option to make use of AT tires.

Not much disadvantage there

Also:

- better ride
- better protection of wheels from curbing
- less chance of bending a wheel on a pothole
- cheaper wheels if you bend one and have to replace it

17s are better all around, IMO.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

And the 20" stockers look like bicycle tires.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Lets see:

- Cheaper tires.
- More tire selection and size options.
- Option to make use of AT tires.

Not much disadvantage there


I havent heard of members on this forum have any success with the SR wheels swap. Thought anything is possible, just depends on your negotiating skills.

I have to ask, why not 18's? Best of both worlds in my opinion.

Good Luck!

:iagree:

Also:

- better ride
- better protection of wheels from curbing
- less chance of bending a wheel on a pothole
- cheaper wheels if you bend one and have to replace it

17s are better all around, IMO.

:iagree:

And the 20" stockers look like bicycle tires.

:iagree:

I had a limited driving in front of me the other day and OH MY GOD those are pizza cutters!

 

[RubiconSS]

This should be interesting, assuming the question was intended to actually derive an answer - No.
There are no inherent disadvantages to 16", 17" or 20" for that matter UNLESS there are specific goals in mind.
16" - Typically the choice of serious off-road rigs because of the amount of sidewall afforded with a larger "flotation" tire able to be aired down for rock crawling and sand crossing.
17" - The compromise size in many cases for on-road majority and occassional off roading.
20" - More desireable for on-road performance (where most rigs spend most of their time) Shhhh, cornering, rolling resistance, braking, etc.

Big tires do three(3) things really well one of which is make the owner feel better, the other two(2) air-down crawling and trail riding as well as sand crossing.
Oh, they also get crappy fuel economy, they are prone to hydro-planing, they are heavy and often times difficult to balance, they cause undo wear on suspension and brake componants BUT did I mention they look good?
Yes, some sarcasm but no more than the bicycle tire/pizza cutter/wagon wheel comments.
If folks don't like the "look" why not just quietly trade or sell the wheels and tires and leave it at that?
The non-original derisive criticisms jusy get kind of old and worn out after awhile.

 

[1engineer]

16" diameter wheels will not fit on the 5th gen 4Runner due to size requirements of brake calipers.

I think the "pizza cutter" comment is aimed more at the width of the wheel/tire and not diameter. The OEM 20" rim is very narrow compared to aftermarket or even other 20" OEM rims. I think Toyota did this to improve efficiency that was reduced by offering the full time 4WD on the LE models.

A lower profile will aid in cornering as the sidewall is smaller and flexes less on turns. The stock 17" size tires of course have a taller sidewall which will aid in the comfort department as it will absorb small imperfections in the road such as expansion joints better than the lower profile tires. I personally like the look of all OEM sizes as they differentiate between models.

 

[RubiconSS]

16" diameter wheels will not fit on the 5th gen 4Runner due to size requirements of brake calipers.

I think the "pizza cutter" comment is aimed more at the width of the wheel/tire and not diameter. The OEM 20" rim is very narrow compared to aftermarket or even other 20" OEM rims. I think Toyota did this to improve efficiency that was reduced by offering the full time 4WD on the LE models.

A lower profile will aid in cornering as the sidewall is smaller and flexes less on turns. The stock 17" size tires of course have a taller sidewall which will aid in the comfort department as it will absorb small imperfections in the road such as expansion joints better than the lower profile tires. I personally like the look of all OEM sizes as they differentiate between models.

Agreed. My mention of the 16" wheel was more as a benchmark reference to then discuss the two "extremes" of 17" and 20" wheels. One being a quasi- on-road/off-road size and the other a clearly on-road size.
The tire width is indeed "demure" when compared aesthetically to most truck/suv tires but aside from the appearance the tire/wheel combo will probably perform its duties quite well. Rolling resistance, resistance to hydro-planing and actually deep snow penetration down to the hard pack or road surface should ALL be exemplary.
Personally, I think (as you indicated) the variety is a differentiator. I also, personally think the look while different is fitting for the LE model. That said, IF I did not like the look I would seel them off and get what I did like sans the criticisms of the "look" that some members may actually like.
I would no more share my remarks about somebodys wheels and tires anymore than I would about someones choice of Tuxedo relative to mine at a formal dinner event. " Oh Look !! There's Bob! Holy Crap look at that Tux, He musta lost a bet or maybe he mugged a homeless rapper"

 

[M1911]

20" - More desireable for on-road performance (where most rigs spend most of their time) Shhhh, cornering, rolling resistance, braking, etc.

The only advantages of 20" wheels are:

1) stiffer sidewall gives better handling.
2) allows for larger brakes.

Since the Limited has the same brakes as the SR5/TE, the only advantage of 20" wheels on the Limited is slightly better handling. But this is a body-on-frame SUV, not a sports car or sports sedan. You're unlikely to notice the difference.

You will notice the worse ride. So, I disagree -- they aren't better for on-road performance.

 

[RubiconSS]

On road ride quality can be (and is) as much a function of the actual tire -vs- the size of the wheel.
Michelin -vs- BFG , P-metric -vs- "E" load.
Both my first Wrangler Rubicon (arguably one of the most capable off-road rigs ever built) came stock with puny 245-75-16" tires btw and my FJ cruiser both came with "E" olad tires for what reason I have no idea (probably puncture resistance of the side wall) but no vehicle of the weight of a wrangler needs to be riding on "E" loads - talking about ride quality.
Obviously this has drifted from the OP' question which was "Disadvantages of 17" tires" which the answer is - There really aren't any per se BUT for the purposes and most common useage intended (IMO) there are no glaring disadvantages to the OEM set-up on the Limited and I went further in saying that MOST of the comments are not even directed at the functionality but rather the appearance.
Anyway.... just my opinion. I happen to believe it is simply bad form to go on and on about the appearance of something when it may well be an appearance that some may like.

 

[Natey]

The only advantages of 20" wheels are:

1) stiffer sidewall gives better handling.
2) allows for larger brakes.

Since the Limited has the same brakes as the SR5/TE, the only advantage of 20" wheels on the Limited is slightly better handling. But this is a body-on-frame SUV, not a sports car or sports sedan. You're unlikely to notice the difference.

You will notice the worse ride. So, I disagree -- they aren't better for on-road performance.

I dunno if I 100% agree. A light weight 17x9 may have more potential for handling. Tires with stiff sidewalls are easy to come by, but not ones that fit a 20x7 wheel.
Anyway, one thing no one's mentioned is resale value. I plan on losing my 20's as soon as I've done my research & figured out what exactly I want to do with this truck. I DON'T plan on selling them to someone for $750 and regretting it later when the new potential owner wants an unmolested car.
My biggest gripe with the 20's is lack of tire choices.

 

[RubiconSS]

Nobody likes it when choices are limited. Choices of tires (or lack of) is an ancillary issue to the question asked but a cogent one for sure.
I have not tried it (yet) but, some have had good results from going to 275/55-20's from the stock size of 245/60-20.
Some of the 30-40 choices specify a 7.5" wheel (OEM is 7") but there are several (much less expensive choices) that specify a 7" wheel.
Less $$, more choices.
But again, somebody wants to sell or moth ball the OEM 20" wheels and put 17"'s on - No disadvantages as far as I can see.

Update: One phone call does not an exploratory endeavor make But, I called TireRack. They claim the 275/55-20 (while some will fit the wheel) they will rub the fender liner. Now, I didn't expect a whole hearted vote of confidence from a tire store "Yeh you bet, put on the wrong size for less money and everyone wins" kind of comment.
I have read (here) of those who have put the 275's on and they did not say there were rubbing issues so.... Limited choice/Limited tire options appear to be a factor for the Limited Edition.

 

[DannyLlama]

I have not tried it (yet) but, some have had good results from going to 275/55-20's from the stock size of 245/60-20.

???????

20" - More desireable for on-road performance (where most rigs spend most of their time) Shhhh, cornering, rolling resistance, braking, etc.

Big tires do three(3) things really well one of which is make the owner feel better, the other two(2) air-down crawling and trail riding as well as sand crossing.
Oh, they also get crappy fuel economy, they are prone to hydro-planing, they are heavy and often times difficult to balance, they cause undo wear on suspension and brake componants BUT did I mention they look good?
Yes, some sarcasm but no more than the bicycle tire/pizza cutter/wagon wheel comments.

 

[RubiconSS]

Really? Those were complete mystery posts? Totally indecipherable and beyond ones capacity to understand?
Wow

 

[harper7]

IMO,the downside to the LE 20's and the SR5 17's is the 7" wheel width that limits your tire selection if you plan to offroad much and has nothing to do with the wheel diameter.Depends on what you want to do with your truck and if it's for show or go..

20's not for offroad ????Don't be so sure!

Wheeling with 20's and really big tires(35's and up) has been the new trend with Rubicons for the last couple of years now. The reason being that if you get too much sidewall that the tires gets squirrelly and are not street friendly and actually dangerous. I saw alot of big money Rubicons in Colorado sporting 40's rolling on 20's.However,we can't fit nearly that big of a tire with our fenders as they are or without bigger bump stops to limit up travel .
These are just some of the rims but most offroad rims now come in 20's as well as most serious offroad tires from the major manufacturers......... Beadlock Wheels,20",Rockcrawler Wheels,* Off Road Wheels, Racing Wheels, buy MRW

KM2's come in some big 20 inch sizes
305/55R20
325/60R20
37X12.5R20
38X14.5R20
40X14.5R20
42X14.5R20

Here's a good article on wheels/tires for offroading and better explains the bigger rim size reasons..Choosing Tires and Wheels

 

[Natey]

.... Limited choice/Limited tire options appear to be a factor for the Limited Edition.

I see what you did there.
:bravo:

 

[RubiconSS]

I see what you did there.
:bravo:

Yeah, I'm wicked creative :keyboard:

 

[SgnDen]

Nobody likes it when choices are limited. Choices of tires (or lack of) is an ancillary issue to the question asked but a cogent one for sure.
I have not tried it (yet) but, some have had good results from going to 275/55-20's from the stock size of 245/60-20.
Some of the 30-40 choices specify a 7.5" wheel (OEM is 7") but there are several (much less expensive choices) that specify a 7" wheel.
Less $$, more choices.
But again, somebody wants to sell or moth ball the OEM 20" wheels and put 17"'s on - No disadvantages as far as I can see.

Update: One phone call does not an exploratory endeavor make But, I called TireRack. They claim the 275/55-20 (while some will fit the wheel) they will rub the fender liner. Now, I didn't expect a whole hearted vote of confidence from a tire store "Yeh you bet, put on the wrong size for less money and everyone wins" kind of comment.
I have read (here) of those who have put the 275's on and they did not say there were rubbing issues so.... Limited choice/Limited tire options appear to be a factor for the Limited Edition.

"Ancillary"? "Cogent"? "Exploratory endeavor"? On top of properly applied grammatical structure?

Holy s**t! I have been spending too much time on the Harley Forum...where it's well, only slightly "differnt". Ha!

:nerd:

 

[robsonj]

Thanks for all of the feedback. We wont be doing a lot of off roading, but we do quite a bit of camping and plan to do more, further a field now the kids are getting older, so probably the most would be fire roads etc, but I was a boy scout so like to be prepared . Also given it seems to be about a $2000 item to swap the wheels and tires after the fact, I figured if it was done when we purchased, the cost may be reduced.

We currently own an Audi A4 quatro and the closest we came to a 4x4 SUV was a Honda Pilot 4x4, which we sold because it felt like a boat to drive. We have rented a 4runner 5th gen LE for a weekend camping trip and liked the fairly firm ride and the obvious truck feel, the pilot always felt like it didn't know if it was a car or a truck. But the LE we rented had 20" rims, so was wondering how different the ride would be on 17" rims.

Thanks again for the feedback, I'm still undecided, if I can get the dealer to swap the rims at no cost I'll probably go with the 17". We have a while before purchase, just getting my ducks in a row.

Cheers
Jonathan

 

[DannyLlama]

Thanks for all of the feedback. We wont be doing a lot of off roading, but we do quite a bit of camping and plan to do more, further a field now the kids are getting older, so probably the most would be fire roads etc, but I was a boy scout so like to be prepared . Also given it seems to be about a $2000 item to swap the wheels and tires after the fact, I figured if it was done when we purchased, the cost may be reduced.

We currently own an Audi A4 quatro and the closest we came to a 4x4 SUV was a Honda Pilot 4x4, which we sold because it felt like a boat to drive. We have rented a 4runner 5th gen LE for a weekend camping trip and liked the fairly firm ride and the obvious truck feel, the pilot always felt like it didn't know if it was a car or a truck. But the LE we rented had 20" rims, so was wondering how different the ride would be on 17" rims.

Thanks again for the feedback, I'm still undecided, if I can get the dealer to swap the rims at no cost I'll probably go with the 17". We have a while before purchase, just getting my ducks in a row.

Cheers
Jonathan

If thats the case, you can stick withe the stock 20's.
I have off roaded in stock 20s,mso you can get through fire roads no problem. Just saying.