Ride quality of 20 vs 17 inch wheels?

[Tini924]

17 vs 18

Thanks guys for the info and thoughts. I am leaning on the smaller wheel becauSe of the off-roading. I bought the runner in the limited on a good deal. Wasn't all about the luxury to me (although don't get me wrong it's nice)! So if I lean towards the smaller wheel. Any thoughts or issues with going 17 vs 18? Which is better? Also I heard that you don't want to go too low because the limited was calibrated for the 20's is that true? What effects may I have then???

 

[03_4x4Runner]

For reference http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/171068-17-wheels-14-limited.html

 

[Jhalko]

Thanks guys for the info and thoughts. I am leaning on the smaller wheel becauSe of the off-roading. I bought the runner in the limited on a good deal. Wasn't all about the luxury to me (although don't get me wrong it's nice)! So if I lean towards the smaller wheel. Any thoughts or issues with going 17 vs 18? Which is better? Also I heard that you don't want to go too low because the limited was calibrated for the 20's is that true? What effects may I have then???

I think [MENTION=75328]DannyLlama[/MENTION] went the 18 route maybe he can chime in. I know of nothing specially calibrated for the 20" wheel. It has been discussed that there are certain specs for aftermarket you would need to be careful with, I think in that link provided. Part of the reason I just got some sr5 wheels, the brakes are the same.

 

[DannyLlama]

Thanks guys for the info and thoughts. I am leaning on the smaller wheel becauSe of the off-roading. I bought the runner in the limited on a good deal. Wasn't all about the luxury to me (although don't get me wrong it's nice)! So if I lean towards the smaller wheel. Any thoughts or issues with going 17 vs 18? Which is better? Also I heard that you don't want to go too low because the limited was calibrated for the 20's is that true? What effects may I have then???

To some degree I wish I would've listened to everyone who suggested to go with 17's, there are just more choices in that size, whether tire or rim.

I love the way my rims look in 18's with the cooper AT/3's, I think it looks perfect. BUT now with all the metal protection I have added, my millage is sub 15, which is crap. So the thing right now I can do to reduce weight and gas consumption is switching out my heavy rims, weighing in at about 32lbs a piece, it makes a big difference. Especially when companies like FN wheels make wheels at 23lbs a rim, that's significant. BUT I can't just switch rims because I would have to get 17 size tires. And their 18' rims are %20 more the price.

My point is, interchanging tires and rims is a whole lot easier with 17's.
It really comes down to what you envision doing with your truck. Ride quality isn't much of a difference between 17 and 18. You will get a higher ride by about .5 to an 1 so if you do a 3" lift, that's a 4" (not exactly) but you get the point.

[MENTION=58174]Notorocaca[/MENTION] The only thing I miss about the 20's is the gas millage, but you can achieve that with lighter after market rim. Ride quality for me drastically improved, much less harsh ride. Turns, cornering etc... wasn't significantly worse, you really have to pay attention to even feel it. Where as even going over a bump is so much nicer in a bigger tire/smaller rim configuration.

Hope this helps.

 

[syndicate1]

Thanks guys for the info and thoughts. I am leaning on the smaller wheel becauSe of the off-roading. I bought the runner in the limited on a good deal. Wasn't all about the luxury to me (although don't get me wrong it's nice)! So if I lean towards the smaller wheel. Any thoughts or issues with going 17 vs 18? Which is better? Also I heard that you don't want to go too low because the limited was calibrated for the 20's is that true? What effects may I have then???

The calibration should be the same for 20's and 17's. The diameter of each set up (20's or 17's) mounted with factory tire sizes are the same.

I live in CA and spend every winter weekend in Tahoe. I converted my LE from 20's to 17's for better tire options. Since I saw the LE featured in Motor Trend Dalton Hwy write up, I'm seriously considering going back to 20's and putting on KMC 673 20x8.5.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...rend-epic-drives-dalton-hwy-2014-limited.html

 

[gringo]

After 18K miles on my 2013 LE, I switched over to 17"'s from my 20" stock wheels and tires, here's my impressions/comments:

-The 20" stock wheels and tires did have a slightly firmer more car-like road feel vs. the 17"'s and A/T tire combo, which now feels more truck-like and what I was after.
-Road noise is more noticeable with my BFG A/T's versus the stock 20" Dueler's, but it doesn't bother me.
-I haven't seen any change in my MPG's (roughly 18 MPG) since I switched to 17" wheels/tires, most likely because I chose stock 265's vs. 285's and I still have the stock suspension height.
-If I want to go with bigger (285's) tires later down the road, I have the option now that I have 8.5" wheel width.
-Like [MENTION=77600]syndicate1[/MENTION] said above, the diameter with the stock 20" and 17" setup is basically the same, I didn't see any noticeable change in my speedo calibration. For more info, see [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]'s awesome tire fitment guide link in his sig
-Overall, I have no regrets in making the switch, it's all about your personal preference, what you're using your truck for, and whether you're willing to spend the extra $ for the change.

 

[xxaarraa]

It kind of makes sense because most LEs 4x4 will more likely end up going to someone who prefer 'better' performance on snow/rain/dirt. 7 inch wide wheels will perform better than 8 inch wide wheels when it comes to not spinning on snow/rain/mud because there is more weight per inch touching the ground. Plus, although seemingly counterintuitive, LE buyers are more MPG conscious.

Good to know the 20" LE rims are 7 inches wide. So, safe to say they won't fit a 275x60x20 AT tire? Assuming the 275 tire is too wide for the 7 inch rim?

 

[JaCoPa]

20" rims

Just curious if anyone has ever kept 20" rims and slapped big mud tires on them with a bigger lift? Bc I just bought my 2013 TE T4R and it came with after market 20's

 

[Miguelon]

Just curious if anyone has ever kept 20" rims and slapped big mud tires on them with a bigger lift? Bc I just bought my 2013 TE T4R and it came with after market 20's

Guilty as charged!

 

[JaCoPa]

Guilty as charged!

Looks great! thanks for the pics, gives me an idea of what mine would look like.

 

[JayceeP]

I run the stock 20's on the stock rubbers 7-8 months of the years. I run 17" steelies on Michelin X-Ice Xi2's for the winter months. Keeping in mind these are winter rubbers, the only difference (besides being uglier) I can speak of is the 17s have a little less road wander on the highway and the ride could be described as marginally softer. No big difference in MPG that I can tell but I only have the 17s on during colder months and winter gas.

I prefer the look of a fuller wheel well and I think the 20s give the 4Runner a touch of grandeur.

 

[NoDak]

personally I would prefer 17's since they give more protection when I hit holes, bumps, etc at speed when I don't notice them during the city driving at night.

and our roads are crap during the winter and spring sucks worse with the freeze/thaw cycle that makes the holes bigger.

I have to be extra careful with the 20's since there is less sidewall to absorb impacts compared to the 17's.

also more selection and cheaper costs on the 17's than the what ,3-4 tire selection with the 20's.

 

[NoDak]

Guilty as charged!

that last pic does make the LE look sexy.

love that you put some very meaty tires on those OEM 20's.

 

[Neauxla]

Guilty as charged!

What sliders/running boards are those?

 

[Miguelon]

What sliders/running boards are those?

Shrockworks

 

[Neauxla]

Shrockworks

:frusty::frusty: I REALLY like those but hate that on top of being more expensive than others, I have to spend all the extra money to replace my rocker panels

 

[xxaarraa]

Guilty as charged!

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?

 

[xxaarraa]

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?

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?

 

[Neauxla]

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 cannot speak from experience but I have seen others run them. You may need a lift and to do some trimming.

 

[NoDak]

you can but its not recommended.

the tires specifically state 7.5 to 9.5 rim dimensions. some tires even state 8.0 to 9.5 sizes.

some shops wont even attempt to put them on due to liability.

some in the forums have run those tires on 7.0 rims with no issues but that's your call and accompanying risk level going outside of manufacturers specs. hence why you cant get a reply outside of the canned response of "follow manufacturers spec/requirements"