My wheel debate.

[NWFLBowhunter]

Currently I have the original 16" wheels on my runner . I was practically giving 5 4th gen 17" sport wheels not too long ago and was considering having them powder coated black. Now here's my issue, I will have to run spacers on these to stop them from rubbing due to the backspacing being 5.5, so that adds another $50 per wheel, plus thethe $60 each in powered coating. So that's $110 invested in each wheel. Would you take this route or find an aftermarket wheel within that price range? I like the wheels, and think they would look good, but when I started adding it all up, I don't think I'm saving much $ on my practically free wheels.

 

[daniresch]

Post pictures of the wheel so we know what your working with

 

[NWFLBowhunter]

Post pictures of the wheel so we know what your working with

Yea that might help.

 

[yota_addict]

I like the 3rd gens better plus don't you have to invest in 17" tires also? I think you'd be better of with aftermarket. You'd probably find the exact style you want. Then sell both sets of old rims and make some money back.

 

[absalom]

Yea, unless your new wheels also came with new tires, then there's a massive expense.

 

[NWFLBowhunter]

Going 17" no matter what. The tires and wheels are already sold as soon as I make a choice.

 

[absalom]

Going 17" no matter what. The tires and wheels are already sold as soon as I make a choice.

Might I ask why? You'll get a rougher ride by upsizing.

 

[Scramble]

Those wheels are hot, keep them silver. I had to run spacers & added longer wheel studs because our front ones are short. You got to pay to play.
This is an old pic before my lift.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

[MENTION=7105]Scramble[/MENTION] - Can you give us some details on the longer studs you went with? I'm thinking about that. Did you swap in studs from the rear of the 4Runner (I've heard they are long enough for a small spacer), or did you buy aftermarket? Which ones and how much longer? How large of a spacer?

Also, what did you need to do to swap out the studs? Just bring it to a shop or...?
Thanks!

 

[Sotovo]

Might I ask why? You'll get a rougher ride by upsizing.

Not necessarily. I upsized wheels and tires without any compromise

 

[RUGGED Elegance]

Not necessarily. I upsized wheels and tires without any compromise

+1...I thought about going back to 16s but not worth the hassle now.

 

[Scramble]

[MENTION=7105]Scramble[/MENTION] - Can you give us some details on the longer studs you went with? I'm thinking about that. Did you swap in studs from the rear of the 4Runner (I've heard they are long enough for a small spacer), or did you buy aftermarket? Which ones and how much longer? How large of a spacer?

Also, what did you need to do to swap out the studs? Just bring it to a shop or...?
Thanks!

I bought the ARP wheel studs for Lexus. They're expensive but they're the best. They only come in one length so I cut mine down. You can use open ended lug nuts if you want but these are really long.
Amazon.com: ARP 1007715 Wheel Stud Kit for Lexus: Automotive
The rear studs don't fit, the knurl dia. is different ( i know efn retarded)

My mechanic put them in while I was getting my wheels mounted & balanced. An air chisel will get them out & you can pull the new ones in with some washers & a lug nut. He cut the new studs to length on a band saw. This was labor that I had no problem paying for! LOL
I bought 1.5" spacers from Sixity on e-bay, same 6011 Alum as Spidertrax.

 

[NWFLBowhunter]

Might I ask why? You'll get a rougher ride by upsizing.

I'm sure the math and science prove this, but I doubt I can tell the difference between the two. I don't drive fast off-road, and our taxes pay to fix the onroad aspects of rough riding. My ram has 17s and it doesn't seem to ride rough.

As to why I want the 17s, 15" tires are hard to find, 16s are becoming less popular as well, so there's that. Either a set of bfgs km2s, cooper stt maxx or pro will be the new shoes going on them in the 285 70 flavor

 

[Road Bull]

It is up to you, but if I were in your situation, I would sell them and get wheels that I loved in the size I wanted with the correct backspacing so that I wouldn't have to use spacers. But I am running 265/75/16s so I can get away with using stock without rubbing issues.

 

[yota_addict]

I'd roll 15" if I could! I love the smaller wheel with larger tire. My fj60 had 15s and I debated on going to 16 for more selection but just couldn't do it. I think 16 is a good size for these rigs.

 

[Road Bull]

Well, if you think you are ever going to upgrade to Tundra brakes, then you want to keep that in mind. If you go 15", you would not be able to make that happen.

 

[absalom]

I'd roll 15" if I could! I love the smaller wheel with larger tire. My fj60 had 15s and I debated on going to 16 for more selection but just couldn't do it. I think 16 is a good size for these rigs.

This. IMO, the more sidewall the better. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Well, if you think you are ever going to upgrade to Tundra breaks, then you want to keep that in mind. If you go 15", you would not be able to make that happen.

...and this

 

[SoSoJeff]

If money is an issue... Mount the AT3's on a set of FJ80 wheels, sell the 4th gen & stock split spokes, and make a lil extra cash by selling the 2 sets of wheels.

 

[4runnerHokie]

Hmmm

Im looking around for aftermarkets in that same style but with different backspacing. If anybody else finds anything let the OP know because it would be a cheaper and likely easier route!