Northeners - what snow tires did you run last winter?

[skategoat]

I'm sure they would be happy to sell you other sizes. They sell a lot of Nokians to Audi, BMW and Volvo club members.

Ask for Dave or Jimmy and tell them you are with the "4Runner Club".

I would ask them about the right size for you. In almost all conditions in the winter, a narrower tire is better. It cuts through the loose stuff and grabs the firmer pack underneath. Wider tires float on top.

Kmvreter, where are you getting the Tundra wheels? Is there any reason to buy them instead of generic steel wheels? The Tundras I've seen have black steel wheels with plastic hub caps on them. You don't see much of the wheel itself.

I'd prefer to get a black wheel with some sort of centre cap instead of a big, ugly hub cap.

Henry

 

[Kmvreter]

Steels...

skategoat,
I've "ordered" 5 steels (4+spare). The local shop (Central Tire; I've dealt with them for years) can get brand new but they cost more. The option exists for "take-offs" that a distributor brings into Canada from the southern and western states (with and without skins). I've also seen shops run ads in parts mags like the TriAd. The distributor doesn't have the wheels right now so I'm only committed to take them if I like the look (I want silver/gray, not black.) I've seen Tundra's with silver steels. I am also trying at other shops but Steelcase should be able to order what you want if it exists.

 

[TechWrench]

I found a site in Ohio (don't have link available now) which sold me four 16" OEM steel wheels for my '03. They were port 'take-offs', with only some slight handling mars in the finish. If I remember correctly, I paid $60.00 each, and an additional $60.00 for a set of center caps. Shipping was included in the price. I put a set of REVOs, 275/65/16s on them, and was very happy with the way they handled in the snow. They also are the best tires I have ever had for wet traction.

 

[skategoat]

TechWrench:

Do you have a pic to show me how it looks? I'm fine with steel wheels and actually dislike plastic hub caps but my wife hates the look of a bare wheel. She wants covers of some sort. I'm thinking a chrome centre cap is a good compromise.

Henry

 

[Kanab]

How are the Michelin SUV Cross terrains in the snow???

 

[TechWrench]

TechWrench:

Do you have a pic to show me how it looks? I'm fine with steel wheels and actually dislike plastic hub caps but my wife hates the look of a bare wheel. She wants covers of some sort. I'm thinking a chrome centre cap is a good compromise.

Henry

The wheels I got were the OEM steel wheels which would have come on the '03 4Runner if it didn't have the optional alloys.

Here is a link to the site I got mine from. The center caps are the
OEM caps for these wheels. I think the wheels look much better with them than without. Just an additional note, you will have to also get new lug nuts if you now have alloys. The alloy lug nuts won't work on the steel wheels.

http://www.hubcaps-wheelcovers.com/photo/to24run03.JPG

 

[Kmvreter]

Steels...

Techwrench,
Those look just like the wheels leftyrb got. I didn't think there was a base steel wheel for the T4R (at least not in Canada.) Do you have a Toyota part # for them or any part # markings on the wheels?

 

[TechWrench]

Re: Steels...

Techwrench,
Those look just like the wheels leftyrb got. I didn't think there was a base steel wheel for the T4R (at least not in Canada.) Do you have a Toyota part # for them or any part # markings on the wheels?

Sorry, I'm out of town this week, so I can't get to the wheels right now. But I am pretty sure they are the stock steel wheels in the USA (don't know about Canada). I would think the dealer would be able to get you those numbers. I do remember the dealer gave me a price of around $160.00 each when I checked with them.

 

[Kmvreter]

Update...

I couldn't believe the stealership actually had a reasonable price. At first I thought it was for the cheap spare but they ordered the base steel wheel. I checked with another dealer and they quoted the same.
I picked up new (not "take-off") OEM steel wheels (Toyota part #42611-35231) for $80.00 (~U$60.00) each plus lug nuts (part #90942-01007) for 79 cents. The wheels are the same as the one pictured in the link above (thanks TechWrench.) This is cheaper than the U$110 quoted on Partznet or the U$60 for the take-offs from Ohio and I don't have the cross border shipping hassle.
Time to order the hub caps from Ohio for U$60/set because they are cheaper and light weight for shipping (stealer wanted $196; ~U$147.)
I'll put the Dunflops on these for now and get new Mich Cross Terrain skins for the alloys in the spring.

 

[gaslight]

stock tires for me. I hear Blizzacks are real nice in the snow. Not sure if they make them in our size. When I do upgrade tires I will go with the Revos.

 

[TechWrench]

Re: Update...

I couldn't believe the stealership actually had a reasonable price. At first I thought it was for the cheap spare but they ordered the base steel wheel. I checked with another dealer and they quoted the same.
I picked up new (not "take-off") OEM steel wheels (Toyota part #42611-35231) for $80.00 (~U$60.00) each plus lug nuts (part #90942-01007) for 79 cents. The wheels are the same as the one pictured in the link above (thanks TechWrench.) This is cheaper than the U$110 quoted on Partznet or the U$60 for the take-offs from Ohio and I don't have the cross border shipping hassle.
Time to order the hub caps from Ohio for U$60/set because they are cheaper and light weight for shipping (stealer wanted $196; ~U$147.)
I'll put the Dunflops on these for now and get new Mich Cross Terrain skins for the alloys in the spring.

Sounds like you got a good deal. I picked mine up last year, and that may have had something to do with the price the dealer quoted me then. Good luck.

 

[skategoat]

Techwrench:

That photo you linked us to - is that a photo of the wheel or the wheel cover?

Thanks,

Henry

 

[TechWrench]

Techwrench:

That photo you linked us to - is that a photo of the wheel or the wheel cover?

Thanks,

Henry

That is the wheel, the center cap is listed as a separate item on the site. There were no full size wheel covers used by Toyota on any of the truck line, that I am aware of.