Most of the Forum must be Pavement People

[Thai]

Im only going to do minor off roading and im sure even that with such a low profile will cause tire and rim damage, not to mention a small pot hole on the road.

Not completely true. My G500 came with the same size tires. I off-roaded just fine in Colorado, doing all the major Passes (Imogene, Engineer, etc.) with not a single flat or broken rim. A few minor scratches on the rims...that's about it.

Remember, although it's 60-series tire, it's still a pretty tall truck tire (31" tire = still plenty of sidewall left). Now, the 20" rims (with 29.5" tires) on Range Rover are something else.

So, i highly doubt that you will damage the rims by going over a pothole. I doubt that you will crack a rim with off-roading, especially "minor off-roading." You will crack your teeth before cracking the rims!

I think that you're just blowing this out of proportion...or exaggerating this a bit too much. Two threads on same topic border on being paranoid!

BTW, was "iamTOOnice" taken when you logged onto this forum??:

 

[iamtwonice]

I dont know is iamtoonice was taken. Iamtwonice is the name I use on chess web sites. Just using the same handle here and everywhere else. Bridgestone told me that 60 series tires are too delicate because of the low profile sidewall, that is why I was so upset about toyota putting this on the 4runner. Everybody thinks you need to be rich to buy the limited, it is only a little bit more than the sport model. Now the Lexus Gx470 is a big jump in price. I would have looked into that but the third row seat and the funky way the tailgate opens are two items I really hate. The seats take up lots of room, sure you can take them out, but the way the back door opens no thanks.

 

[boston_kevin]

Toyota is trying to hit the target demographics for making money... No off-road ability was lost, they just decided they could make more money selling the "bling bling" limited with 18's instead of 17's. Matches with the heated seats and the lighted running boards. If you are planning to take it off road, those boards would be the first thing to meet with a rock. They really did not intend for the true off-roaders to take their limiteds off road, but even with 18's and 60 series tires it should do fine through easy to moderate terrain. One advantage the 18's with 60's should have over the other wheel/tire combos is on sand and loose terrain. You can air down with a lower risk of losing the bead on the tire since there is more rim and more area for the bead to grab. Also, less sidewall flex should put less stress on the bead.

You can't fault toyota for trying to gain additional market share (probably a niche market between those who can afford the Lincoln Navigators with 20's and those who can afford the 4Runner with 18's.

When I got my 4Runner, I asked the sales manager why Toyota has 3 different market brands (SCION, Toyota, Lexus). He replied different demographics... SCION is for the 18-25 group, Toyota appeals to the 26-38 group, and Lexus appeals to the over 38 group. The audio and creature comforts for each brand also match the same grouping.

 

[GatorGreg]

I posted a concern about the new 18 in tires on the 06 4runner. Purchase the Limited and this is the tire no other options. It is a 60 series tire. I am worried that the rim will get bent just doing light off roading because of the 60 series profile. 322 people veiwed the thread and only Thai responded. He must be the only person on the forum that knows what low range is. Dont mean to disrespect the forum, but maybe you only need 2wheel drive if big rims and 60 series worthless tires are your preferance. I am shocked that 4 wheel drive people would not be calling Toyota or expressing outrage that they are putting a car tire on a very capable suv, and rendering it a car with ground clearance. Hope I did not hurt any feelings, if I did im sorry.

Please abide by Rule Number One, thanks

 

[Colemanfu]

I did not know what a 60 series tire was or that there are chess web sites.

I wonder how low you could air down one of those 60's?

You can see read my full bio at iamadork.com

 

[Northof49]

Everybody thinks you need to be rich to buy the limited, it is only a little bit more than the sport model. Now

You don't need to be rich.....but you definetly will have enough money to buy a new set of wheels and tires. Particularily if you are THAT worried about it. Everyone always bitches that the current stock tires suck anyways....so anyone doing serious off-roading is replacing them regardless. As for mild off-road duty, like everyone is telling you, the 18's will be fine.

 

[00328]

It seems that the current trend in SUVs is to go toward the 60 series tires. Some see it as a good thing, others don't.

As stated above, you will probably be fine with the 18s and 60s, just can't get crazy with them.

 

[AlexJet]

I personally like an idea of 18" rims. I also have Limited and I DO TAKE IT OFF-ROAD. I like how it performs. When I saw the description of 06 4Runner I was shock and surprised. At first point I wanted to change my 17" for 18" from 06, but then when I started research for tires, I figured out that for 18" rims there available tires less then 10% then for 17", and no Revos or Geo A/T. So I decide to stay with 17 and get good tires.
The question is not that 18" are bad for 4Runner. The question is that there are no good off-road tires for them. So this question should be addressed to tire companies.