Should I swap limited wheels and tires for SR5 ones?

[natepolean]

I just got a 13 limited last week and the dealer offered to swap the stock 20" wheels and tires with the SR5 wheels and tires plus $500 credit. I want to do it because I want to use my 4R for some mild offroading and also more rubber will give a softer ride. I just hope i won't lose too much handling capability. I also don't care much for the large rim look. Do you guys think this is a good move for my needs?

 

[enduro]

I just got a 13 limited last week and the dealer offered to swap the stock 20" wheels and tires with the SR5 wheels and tires plus $500 credit. I want to do it because I want to use my 4R for some mild offroading and also more rubber will give a softer ride. I just hope i won't lose too much handling capability. I also don't care much for the large rim look. Do you guys think this is a good move for my needs?

I sold my '10 LTD wheels with 37k miles for $500. Was just looking to move them. Search around the classifieds to see how much others are selling their like new limited wheels/tires.

The real question is...would you be happy with that deal? If so, then do it. I'd probably do it simply b/c it opens up more possibilities for better tires compared to the stock 20"x7" rims.

As for handling...the 17s would be just fine. I went to 17s with 275s and I'm quite happy.

 

[DannyLlama]

yes!

 

[natepolean]

I sold my '10 LTD wheels with 37k miles for $500. Was just looking to move them. Search around the classifieds to see how much others are selling their like new limited wheels/tires.

The real question is...would you be happy with that deal? If so, then do it. I'd probably do it simply b/c it opens up more possibilities for better tires compared to the stock 20"x7" rims.

As for handling...the 17s would be just fine. I went to 17s with 275s and I'm quite happy.

Yeah, I'm definitely happy with the deal money wise. My only conern is potential change in handling responsiveness with the 17". The dealer's been letting me drive the stock limited for a week before I make up my mind. So far I'm very happy with the car, more responsive in handling than I expected. It's a little stiff on the road, but I'm ok with it. So I just don't want to regret it after swapping to the 17" because I've never driven a limited with 17" wheels or SR5 for that matter.

 

[Tengu]

you won't regret it, particularly when you realize you don't have to slow down for every little bump. I don't even bother for road humps or speed bumps unless the surroundings dictate.

 

[Hellamatic]

Definitely do it - the stock Limited wheels look silly and have an awkward-looking offset. I would talk them into giving you the same deal with a nice set of aftermarket 17s though.

 

[philsey]

If you're undecided, go price replacement tires for the 20" wheels. Very limited choices, expensive, and they're too narrow for this size vehicle - so, yes.

Get the dealer to throw in an alignment and set the caster to +4 degrees.

 

[Qjake]

Tell them you'll do it for Trail Edition wheels and $500. :boink:

Or, I've seen a lot of Trail Edition wheels for sale here lately for around $500 for the set. Put your 20's on craigs list with tires for say $1250-1500.

Either way make sure you also get the spare.

 

[natepolean]

Tell them you'll do it for Trail Edition wheels and $500. :boink:

Or, I've seen a lot of Trail Edition wheels for sale here lately for around $500 for the set. Put your 20's on craigs list with tires for say $1250-1500.

Either way make sure you also get the spare.

Are TE wheels and tires better than SR5's? I know the wheels look different. Are the TE tires more offroad capable? I do 90% highway driving, so probably SR5 sets are better for me.

 

[bimrunner]

Are TE wheels and tires better than SR5's? I know the wheels look different. Are the TE tires more offroad capable? I do 90% highway driving, so probably SR5 sets are better for me.

Stock tires are pretty much road tires anyway. TE wheels just look much nicer. Ask for that swap and you'll be happy. Switched my LE wheels out to 17s and bigger rubber. So much better than 20s.

 

[Katahdin]

Are TE wheels and tires better than SR5's? I know the wheels look different. Are the TE tires more offroad capable? I do 90% highway driving, so probably SR5 sets are better for me.

The SR5 and TE come with the same tires, either Dunlop Grandtrek AT20's or Bridgestone Dueler H/T D684 II's. The TE wheels are 7.5" wide vs. 7" for the SR5 wheels so there are more tire sizes that fit TE wheels (285/70R17 are a popular size that usually require the extra width). There's no real difference, other than looks, if you're going to stick with the stock tire size.

I definitely recommend switching to 17" wheels. I replaced my LE wheels with a set of FJ wheels & tires (like the TE wheels but painted grey instead of silver) and I'm much happier with them.

 

[Qjake]

Are TE wheels and tires better than SR5's? I know the wheels look different. Are the TE tires more offroad capable? I do 90% highway driving, so probably SR5 sets are better for me.

As mentioned, both come with highway tires which are either Dunlop or Brigestone. I'm just not a fan of the SR5 wheels and think the TE wheels are much sexier.

 

[philsey]

Either way make sure you also get the spare.

Excellent point!
[MENTION=94761]natepolean[/MENTION] I noticed something rare, so far you have 100% agreement from the forum.

 

[JohnJerk]

I love my Limited wheels. They make the LE an LE. That said, upsizing the pizza cutters is required. If I was compelled to change wheels it would be for the FJ wheels which look like th TE's but are darker. Check 'em.

 

[FatTiresRollin]

Another advocate for 17s. Make it Trail, FJ or aftermarket...if you don't you will just be selling the SR5 wheels shortly if you spend much time on here...

 

[Newf4R]

Do the deal. SR5 or Trail wheels look good IMO. Are stock tires the only option? I do a ton of highway driving too so didn't want to mess up the ride or fuel economy so I sold my stock tires immediately and bought stock size Mickey Thompson Baja STZs. Much better looking tire than what Toyota gives you and they are still a p-series tire. Congrats on the new purchase!

 

[natepolean]

Do the deal. SR5 or Trail wheels look good IMO. Are stock tires the only option? I do a ton of highway driving too so didn't want to mess up the ride or fuel economy so I sold my stock tires immediately and bought stock size Mickey Thompson Baja STZs. Much better looking tire than what Toyota gives you and they are still a p-series tire. Congrats on the new purchase!

I actually thought a lot about this even before I bought the car. And thanks for all the good info on this forum I had 3 options...

1. Wider tires like 275/55/R20 on stock wheels. (decided no, because I want more offroad abilities and the issue of narrow 7" rims)

2. Konig countersteer type x wheels and set of nice Michelin tires (really like this option, but finally said no because I didn't feel like spending another $2K after dropping $50K on the truck, don't laugh... that's best deal I can get in Canada)

3. SR5/TE Swap(yes, because it's convenient mostly, but I might get the Konig down the road)

The harder decision for me is the running board. I can't stand the stock running board making the truck look so low. Again, did tons of reading here and here are my options

1. Take off the running boards (Wife wants a step)
2. OPOR sliders with no trimming (I really like their look and easiest, but since i don't plan to do a lift, truck may still appear low)
3. Budbuilt sliders with trimming rocker panels(not looking forward to cutting the bodywork of new truck, also don't like the extra weight of the sliders since I do mild offroading and mainly doing this for the look)
4. Thought of putting a higher running board like TE's (but can't figure how to make it work and nobody has done it before)

 

[bimrunner]

N-fabs don't look bad and can work without making the whole side look low.

 

[Newf4R]

So what's the verdict?

 

[natepolean]

Most likely I'm going with OPOR sliders because I don't want to trim the rocker panels, they also have a 20% sale this month.