It's snowing

[ak4r]

Came over a mountain pass south of Anchorage today from fishing and it was snowing like hell. Reminded me that winter will sneak up on me sooner than I want and I don't want to be without studded tires this year. Snow tires don't cut it for me here in Alaska with the freeze/thaw cycle that can make a big skating rink of ice from curb to curb. Please don't suggest snow tires or studless winter tires unless you will help push me up my driveway (haha).

So I want studded tires (like my 91 4runner) and I want to put them on 16 inch designated winter wheels so I don't have to take the tires off the rims twice a year. I ordered my 2004 T4R with 16 inch alloys as IMO they are better for off road use with more sidewall protection.

Toyota alloy wheels look the best but are expensive compared to steel rims. The steel wheels are stronger and better suited for pot holes, hitting curbs, ect and I think they would be better than alloys for winter use.

Anybody agree or disagree with this thinking?

Anybody find a nice steel rim for winter use that looks great on a T4R?

Thanks everybody and hope all this talk of ice and snow helps cool you off. I was in the midwest last week...107 and humid.

Bill

 

[khaug]

Tire studs destroy pavement, hence are illegal in many areas, including my locale of Ingham County, MI.

The best snow tires (such as Bridgestone Blizzaks) are almost as grippy as studded snows. I'd strongly recommend these. Besides being more environmentally friendly, they are hugely quieter and longer lasting.

Good luck.

 

[boston_kevin]

Studs have advantages and disadvantages... Bad for the roads, good for driving on ice-pack. Bad for starts and stops on dry pavement, but they make a nice light show with the sparks going 'round the tire. Studs typically wear pretty fast, so 2 seasons may be all you get out of them (could be pricey) and may be illegal in certain townships in AL (they have to pay for their own road crews to fix the damage).

I understand your reluctance to go with pure snow tires, but with the traction control systems on the 4Runner that should help alleviate some of the wheel spin you experienced on other vehicles.

Definitely can't fault you on the 16" steel rims tho. These 17" allows look great, but not a lot of tires out there for them, and once they pit, you can't get them back to looking new again (mine have not started to pit yet).

 

[Northof49]

I'm going to guess they're not illegal in Alaska guys :

I would check with your dealer......many have very competitive tire programs, and I have seen some nice (as far as steel wheels go) black steelies come from the dealer. Too bad I never got a pic of my black ltd with the winter rims the next owner put on it.....17" black steel wheels with upsized Michelin LTX's.....it looked pretty mean!

 

[Kmvreter]

I run my BFG's for the winter on steels that I got at the stealer. There is an OEM steel wheel for the T4R and believe it or not the stealer had the best price. You will need different lug nuts. C$389.00 included 15% tax. Also found new centre caps on the web. Search for steel wheels for my thread for pics if you want (because I don't know how to link to other threads.)

 

[TechWrench]

Came over a mountain pass south of Anchorage today from fishing and it was snowing like hell. Reminded me that winter will sneak up on me sooner than I want and I don't want to be without studded tires this year. Snow tires don't cut it for me here in Alaska with the freeze/thaw cycle that can make a big skating rink of ice from curb to curb. Please don't suggest snow tires or studless winter tires unless you will help push me up my driveway (haha).

So I want studded tires (like my 91 4runner) and I want to put them on 16 inch designated winter wheels so I don't have to take the tires off the rims twice a year. I ordered my 2004 T4R with 16 inch alloys as IMO they are better for off road use with more sidewall protection.

Toyota alloy wheels look the best but are expensive compared to steel rims. The steel wheels are stronger and better suited for pot holes, hitting curbs, ect and I think they would be better than alloys for winter use.

Anybody agree or disagree with this thinking?

Anybody find a nice steel rim for winter use that looks great on a T4R?

Thanks everybody and hope all this talk of ice and snow helps cool you off. I was in the midwest last week...107 and humid.

Bill

I don't have access to the link now (at work), but the stock OEM steel wheels aren't that bad looking. I got a set of 4 from an aftermarket dealer in Ohio who was selling the new 'take-offs' from the port upgrades. If I remember correctly, I got a set of 4 with the matching center caps for $300. I have the Titanium silver, and the steel wheels were a perfect match. I have a set of REVO's mounted on them for winter use, and I really like them.