Ride quality of 20 vs 17 inch wheels?

[dhylander]

Asking this a third time... can someone who has experience with the stock 5th gen 20s please tell me if those 7 inch rims can work with a 275 tire?? I don't mean to side track this conversation, but seems like a simple question?

I had Michelin LTX MS2s 275/55/20 on mine for awhile. Fit fine, no rubbing problems. Changed to 17's after awhile for better off road performance and larger tire selection.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

It's really pretty simple.

If you like the look of the 20" wheels have at it.

If you actually ever take your 4Runner off-road the 20" wheels are worthless.

This is why the Trail has things like KDSS, Crawl Control and 17" wheels. It's meant to actually be used on terrain other than the mall parking lot.

 

[xxaarraa]

It's really pretty simple.

If you like the look of the 20" wheels have at it.

If you actually ever take your 4Runner off-road the 20" wheels are worthless.

This is why the Trail has things like KDSS, Crawl Control and 17" wheels. It's meant to actually be used on terrain other than the mall parking lot.

uhm.. yeah, I do use the 4R offroad.

After a 3 inch suspension lift and 1.5" bodylift, there is now a need to fill the yawning wheel well gaps.

Though it's a 20 inch rim, a 275x65x20 is still a chunky tire? The intent is not to get 20s and run low profile tires.

Could I just keep my 17" trail wheels and get bigger tires? Sure, but even a 285x70x17 is only a 33" and those tires are Load range E and HEAVY. Too much rubber affects on road manners too. 275x65x20 Load Range C Duratracs are only 46 lbs a tire and I would really like to stick to Duratracs.

 

[Miguelon]

What size are those tires?? I'm curious if I can pickup stock 20s and run 275 65 20 duratracs. Being a 7 inch rim, can it take a 275 tire?

275/65/20 Duratracs

 

[Miguelon]

If you actually ever take your 4Runner off-road the 20" wheels are worthless.

Yeah...... having these 20' wheels has limited me to just the mall and grocery store

 

[xxaarraa]

Yeah...... having these 20' wheels has limited me to just the mall and grocery store

LOVE it! Gives me a great idea of what it would look like. Your setup is a straight 34inches, with better on road performance (due to bigger wheel) and increased ground clearance. I am not sure why more people with a 3 inch lift don't do it. I will be!

 

[Miguelon]

Asking this a third time... can someone who has experience with the stock 5th gen 20s please tell me if those 7 inch rims can work with a 275 tire?? I don't mean to side track this conversation, but seems like a simple question?

Yes!

 

[Miguelon]

LOVE it! Gives me a great idea of what it would look like. Your setup is a straight 34inches, with better on road performance (due to bigger wheel) and increased ground clearance. I am not sure why more people with a 3 inch lift don't do it. I will be!

I find the 20"s to be far more capable in every category. Last year at FJ Summit, I had many doubters. After we took on every trail in my UnLimited, I had many believers.

 

[xxaarraa]

I find the 20"s to be far more capable in every category. Last year at FJ Summit, I had many doubters. After we took on every trail in my UnLimited, I had many believers.

Awesome. Great to hear and thanks for the photos. I do many off roading and overlanding trips each year, but also put 30k miles a year on my truck (its also my tow rig and winter daily driver). So on road manners is just as important to me as offroad performance. i.e., I have no interest in slapping on honking 285+ mud tires. Duratracs on 20s sounds like an ideal mix, good to see it's been tried and tested.

 

[Miguelon]

Awesome. Great to hear and thanks for the photos. I do many off roading and overlanding trips each year, but also put 30k miles a year on my truck (its also my tow rig and winter daily driver). So on road manners is just as important to me as offroad performance. i.e., I have no interest in slapping on honking 285+ mud tires. Duratracs on 20s sounds like an ideal mix, good to see it's been tried and tested.

Towing works out great......try doing this with 17s

 

[Miguelon]

Towing works out great......try doing this with 17s

BTW...I am joking here. I just parked the truck infront of a 5th wheel trailer and snapped the photo

 

[mdogg]

LOVE it! Gives me a great idea of what it would look like. Your setup is a straight 34inches, with better on road performance (due to bigger wheel) and increased ground clearance. I am not sure why more people with a 3 inch lift don't do it. I will be!

As was already explained to you, there are not any 275/55+ tires rated by their own manufacturer as being a fit for 7-inch wheels. This is exactly why you don't see much of it. There is likely some safety margin built in, but no manufacturer will tell you it is ok to fit 275/55, 275/60, 275/65 tires on 7-inch wheels.

 

[xxaarraa]

As was already explained to you, there are not any 275/55+ tires rated by their own manufacturer as being a fit for 7-inch wheels. This is exactly why you don't see much of it. There is likely some safety margin built in, but no manufacturer will tell you it is ok to fit 275/55, 275/60, 275/65 tires on 7-inch wheels.

I understand. I actually meant, why don't more people run 275x65 on 20 inch rims in general, not specifically the stockers. And I know an answer like this is forthcoming "less sidewall flex, less ability to air down, etc." I do a fair bit of wheeling so not a neophyte.

 

[mdogg]

I understand. I actually meant, why don't more people run 275x65 on 20 inch rims in general, not specifically the stockers. And I know an answer like this is forthcoming "less sidewall flex, less ability to air down, etc." I do a fair bit of wheeling so not a neophyte.

If Toyota had spec'd 8" or 8.5" wheels on the Limited, I'd still have the 20's now myself (with bigger tires). The design is nice and simple rather than the BRO wheels you see on most Chevy trucks....

 

[NoDak]

actually discount tire direct has a model of rims that are almost exactly like the oem 20's in a 9 inch size.


edit : forgot to add, they also have them in 17" with a 8.5 size.
.

 

[diverscale]

actually discount tire direct has a model of rims that are almost exactly like the oem 20's in a 9 inch size.


edit : forgot to add, they also have them in 17" with a 8.5 size.
.

The left one is awesome.

To reply to OP question, myself I like the 20 inch ride way better than the 17 inch ride. Sportier feel, better on-road handling. My truck is mainly a road truck so the stiffer it is, the better I like.

 

[Neauxla]

I don't like how those have no rim around the outside

 

[ottosails]

Those wheel look great - who makes them?