Separate wheels / tires for off-roading?

[vjack]

Does anyone keep a set of wheels + tires specifically for trail use? If so, do you find it a pain to switch back and forth?

I already have separate sets for winter tires and "summer tires" (i.e. all-seasons). I would like to get some tires that are better for off-roading but I don't want to sacrifice mileage and comfort when driving on pavement, which is what I do most of the time.

I wasn't thinking about anything too crazy... maybe some 17x7.5 wheels with 275/70/17 A/T tires.

Any thoughts?

 

[Mistaken]

Pickup some trail wheels and get some decent tires for them.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I don't think too many members run a separate dedicated off road set. Its a major added expense, and swapping may get old if you are off road even a few times a month. If you have the $$ and equipment to do it quickly, I'd say go for it. Keep in mind that there are plenty of milder off road tires that will preform well on road and get you pretty far off the beaten path without sacrificing your daily drive.

 

[NZDZRT]

Off road tires / wheels

I was fortunate to find a set of 5 FJ 17" wheels for dirt cheap. $150 with caps and lugs. A few mild scratches, but that's why I wanted them. I also bought a set of 5 KM2's. 33" Pizza Cutters: 255/80/17. I keep the 255 spare on all the time. In any case, I do change them out when I know that I will be doing more off roading. But... it's a PIA (mild). But it's nice to have the smooth ride and better mileage for most of my miles, and the first time out wheeling, I put a big scratch in one of the wheels. Didn't even bother me.

I ordered my lift today. We'll see how sad the stockers look after it's lifted! :banana:

NZDZRT

 

[wfo9]

I think it can be a very smart thing to do.... and well worth the added expense.

I have two sets, but started with Duratracks 33" and went to MTRs 34" for offroad. I may sell the duratracks (they are too similar to MTRs to justify having two sets) but I have been using them for daily... to improve mpg and keep the wear off my MTRs. It takes less than 30 min to swap and is not a big deal at all.

The MTRs simply dominate off-road... Stepping up to a mud terrain is well worth it for that use case, but they do hurt MPG and are heavy. My long term plan is to get something more road friendly and keep swapping over to the MTRs when I plan on any type of off-roading... If you daily your truck and wheel it hard, two sets can be a really good way to go. But everyone's situation and needs are different. Sometimes I drive my 4r every day, other times it sits and waits... just depends on the time of year and what all I have going on. The MTRs are actually decent on the road, I just don't like wasting them and that way. The truck is much lighter on its feet with less aggressive tires. The difference offroad is night and day...

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Unless you get a new set of tpms sensors and reprogram every change your low tire light will be on. I have 2 sets and change them once or twice a year. Do you have room to store the spare set of tires? It is a pain to swap now and then but I sure like the stock tires on long road trips and love the tougher tire when off road. I bought a set of take off SR5 wheels from and early 5th gen with minor scratches from my Toyota dealer for $200. I like to keep my stock 20 inch rims nice and do not mind getting the off road wheels banged up.

 

[vjack]

Thanks all for your thoughts.

I think I am going to try to find a set of used Trail wheels (17x7.5) and go for it. I think I can find some for ~$500. I already have the tools (floor jack, torque wrench) to change between my summer and winter rims so it will not be a big deal for me to swap out a set of A/T tires.

Since I moved to New Hampshire and got proper winter tires a few years ago (first on my old Subaru, now on my 4Runner) I am a big believer in having the right tires for the job. I know some people put A/T tires on their daily driver, but then you are trading better trail performance for worse on-road ride quality, MPG, noise, handling, braking distance, etc.

I probably won't bother with TPMS sensors since this will just be for weekend excursions. I do have a second set of TPMS sensors in my winter wheels but that is because otherwise I would have to stare at that stupid light for 5 months every year.

 

[jmf_tracy]

planning on it

I am planning on it.
Actually i have already purchased the wheels and tires, but have not mounted them yet.
My reason for doing this is because i need to park my T4R in my garage, but with 34" tires and a 3" lift plus the Gobi stealth rack, it won't fit.
So i am keeping the OEM wheel & tires to park it in my garage.
I have an air compressor and a pneumatic impact wrench so it should only take about 15~20 minutes to swap em out.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I number stamped my wheels to keep track of what position they were in and also put a tag on the wheel to let me know where what position it belong when swapping.