Where to find black steelies for 5th Gen online? Plus, Wheel bearing concern

[Lolrax]

Hey all, not much to this thread but I have been looking to make a winter tire/wheel package for my 2012 Limited and I have been to a few sites and can't seem to find one that carries black steelies to fit our cars. Can anyone recommend a place?

I also wanted to ask about a particular comment I got from a fellow at a tire shop in town. I was looking to buy the 20 inch Blizzak DM-V1 tires and the place I went was out of stock. The service manager there (not a Toyota dealership) said that I should consider smaller wheels because running 20s in the winter is a surefire way to wear out your wheel bearings. Is there any merit to this?

 

[08T4R]

How is it any different than running 20's any other time? He mention that?

 

[Lolrax]

How is it any different than running 20's any other time? He mention that?

His rationale was that "because of the wide open access ice has to your wheel bearings due to the 20s, it is going to get in there and destroy them".

My reaction to this was , but it kind of got me thinking a bit too.

 

[Ukie]

I was looking to buy the 20 inch Blizzak DM-V1 tires and the place I went was out of stock. The service manager there (not a Toyota dealership) said that I should consider smaller wheels because running 20s in the winter is a surefire way to wear out your wheel bearings. Is there any merit to this?

He probably had 17 inch Blizzaks in stock.

 

[08T4R]

Lol most likely what above poster said. Regardless of the size of the wheel, your bearings are behind seals. It could be a 12" wheel/tire, but that doesn't change where the bearings are or accessibility. They're still behind the rotor, and hub behind seals. I'd go somewhere else with someone taking out of their @ss like that. If you run smaller wheels and tires, it's going to mess up the odometer. I'd worry more about that than the bearings.

 

[GrantK]

The size of the rims has nothing to do with the ability to access the wheel bearings which are enclosed in the hub.

Do not buy from this guy. He is either BSing you or doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[bofa]

Any chance you could go back and get this conversation started again... and record it? :biggrin2:

 

[Lolrax]

Any chance you could go back and get this conversation started again... and record it? :biggrin2:

Lol I doubt it. The guy was extremely self-righteous and when he started offering to get some 17s I was just like "nah" and took off.

The 20 inch Blizzak DM-V1 tires look really good to me, and I can't seem to find many other brands in that size.

 

[Ukie]

Lol I doubt it. The guy was extremely self-righteous and when he started offering to get some 17s I was just like "nah" and took off.

The 20 inch Blizzak DM-V1 tires look really good to me, and I can't seem to find many other brands in that size.

Let's put wheel bearings argument aside since it sounds like a joke.
In your original post you've asked about black steelies. I believe it might be a problem finding them in 20'' size for a decent price so 17'' might be the only option available for you. And it's perfectly fine, a lot of Limited owners here are running 17'' wheels. Check
Toyota FJ Cruiser steel wheels rims for 17 Toyota FJ Cruiser Tacoma steel wheels. \
If you need TPMS I have a set of 4 used ones, PM me.

 

[philsey]

I also wanted to ask about a particular comment I got from a fellow at a tire shop in town. I was looking to buy the 20 inch Blizzak DM-V1 tires and the place I went was out of stock. The service manager there (not a Toyota dealership) said that I should consider smaller wheels because running 20s in the winter is a surefire way to wear out your wheel bearings. Is there any merit to this?

O-M-G !!!!! I don't think a week goes by without I read something more stoopid (dealer-comment-wise) than the week before.

.... one that carries black steelies to fit our cars. Can anyone recommend a place?

I bought mine off eBay. Had them shipped directly to the tire store. Also try the FJC and IH8Mud forums, plus both classifieds on T4R.org. And put up a WTB thread on them. Blizzaks in the winter are da bomb.