Winter Tire Sizing

[JayceeP]

Hey guys,

I run the OEM 20's on my full-time 4wd Limited. Strongly considering a dedicated winter tire and rim. Would like to go to 17's for the winters. I don't need advice on what make or style of tire (though will accept it) as I know I can research that on here + other resources.

What I need to know is, what size rim/tire do I need i.e. what specs are required to fit onto the 4Runner. Or just tell me what to get from a cost-benefit perspective- i.e. standard size. I know very little and I hope I'm posing this question correctly.

I ask because I may buy some steel black rims locally and order the tires from tire rack. Just don't want to get noobed by someone at Costco giving me incorrect info.

Thanks.

 

[philsey]

I ask because I may buy some steel black rims locally and order the tires from tire rack. Just don't want to get noobed by someone at Costco giving me incorrect info.

Thanks.

17" black FJ steelies is what I use with winter tires. Skipped the TPMS sensors and just ignore the light.

 

[JayceeP]

17" black FJ steelies is what I use with winter tires. Skipped the TPMS sensors and just ignore the light.

Thanks. If I just went with generic black steelies are there certain specs for 17's that I need? One of my friends mentioned I have to have to same total diameter as the oem 20's in order to avoid issues with tracking speed and whatnot. Not sure if that's true.

 

[jrhaze]

Thanks. If I just went with generic black steelies are there certain specs for 17's that I need? One of my friends mentioned I have to have to same total diameter as the oem 20's in order to avoid issues with tracking speed and whatnot. Not sure if that's true.

There aren't a load of other steelies that fit our trucks and clear the brakes...unless you want to run spacers.

You want your overall diameter to be the same, ie if you go to a smaller wheel you want more tire sidewall so that your overall diameter doesn't change (or doesn't change much).

Here's a calculator to help you figure out which size tires will work for you:

Tire Size Calculator

Hope that helps.

 

[JayceeP]

There aren't a load of other steelies that fit our trucks and clear the brakes...unless you want to run spacers.

You want your overall diameter to be the same, ie if you go to a smaller wheel you want more tire sidewall so that your overall diameter doesn't change (or doesn't change much).

Here's a calculator to help you figure out which size tires will work for you:

Tire Size Calculator

Hope that helps.

Ok thanks. That calculator definitely helps for double checking.

Maybe just sticking to the SR5 spec tires would be a wise idea (265/70R17). Just have to check the bolt pattern. Anyway... Maybe it's just this simple and I am over thinking it.:crazy:

 

[mdogg]

Ok thanks. That calculator definitely helps for double checking.

Maybe just sticking to the SR5 spec tires would be a wise idea (265/70R17). Just have to check the bolt pattern. Anyway... Maybe it's just this simple and I am over thinking it.:crazy:

The other thing to keep in mind is widths, in my opinion. In general, I think off-roaders prefer more width on the trails to provide a wider footprint and increase grip on odd-shaped terrain. Wider isn't better for snow - you're trying to get the tires to cut through the snow rather than float on top.

I'd say stick with the 265 width for winter wheels, maybe even go with 255 width.

 

[Katahdin]

The other thing to keep in mind is widths, in my opinion. In general, I think off-roaders prefer more width on the trails to provide a wider footprint and increase grip on odd-shaped terrain. Wider isn't better for snow - you're trying to get the tires to cut through the snow rather than float on top.

I'd say stick with the 265 width for winter wheels, maybe even go with 255 width.

Or even 245...Blizzaks come in the LE's stock size so you could use the OEM wheels in the winter, buy some nice 17" wheels, and give yourself a lot more options for the tires you use most of the year.

 

[JayceeP]

I like the stock 20's so they will be my summer shoes. I just want generic 17" steelies for winter and was afraid of screwing up my purchase.

 

[Snooperstyle]

You could get a set of TE or SR5 rims for cheap if you are patient, and they would look better than steelies in my opinion (although maybe you are going for that look, not sure?). I bought all four of my TE rims for only $200, and they were new takeoffs. I used a "search all of craigslist" website to find them. You can put the FJ rims on there too, and they look darn close to TE rims. Going with a 265/70/17 would be the same as stock, but you would need to confirm that those are the same diameter as your spare, especially since you have FTFWD.

 

[JayceeP]

You could get a set of TE or SR5 rims for cheap if you are patient, and they would look better than steelies in my opinion (although maybe you are going for that look, not sure?). I bought all four of my TE rims for only $200, and they were new takeoffs. I used a "search all of craigslist" website to find them. You can put the FJ rims on there too, and they look darn close to TE rims. Going with a 265/70/17 would be the same as stock, but you would need to confirm that those are the same diameter as your spare, especially since you have FTFWD.

Good idea and good point. If I got a flat on one of the 17" winters, could I use the OEM 20" spare or do I need to buy a 5th 17" wheel to be kept onboard as a spare?

 

[Katahdin]

Good idea and good point. If I got a flat on one of the 17" winters, could I use the OEM 20" spare or do I need to buy a 5th 17" wheel to be kept onboard as a spare?

245/60R20 and 265/70R17 are the same diameter so you'll be fine with the OEM spare.

 

[the great him]

i dont see why you couldnt use the 20 as a spare, but doesnt your runner come with a spare as it is? isnt there a spare under the back of it? the FJ steelies are a great wheel i think they are a 17x7.5, +15mm offset, 4.5" backspacing. not sure how that will corilate to your 5th gen and how it will look on there -weather it sits flush or is pushed out too much or sucked in idk. but the tires i would go with are the bridgestone blizzak dm-v1's i have run them and love them.

check them out;
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+DM-V1
probably a 265 70 17 would keep you around stock, maybe a 285 idk

 

[JayceeP]

i dont see why you couldnt use the 20 as a spare, but doesnt your runner come with a spare as it is? isnt there a spare under the back of it? the FJ steelies are a great wheel i think they are a 17x7.5, +15mm offset, 4.5" backspacing. not sure how that will corilate to your 5th gen and how it will look on there -weather it sits flush or is pushed out too much or sucked in idk. but the tires i would go with are the bridgestone blizzak dm-v1's i have run them and love them.

check them out;
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+DM-V1
probably a 265 70 17 would keep you around stock, maybe a 285 idk

Thanks. I do have a spare. I'm running the OEM 20's and have the OEM 20" spare. Just wanted to make sure I could use that same spare when I put on 17" Winters.

 

[eddiebx]

Good idea and good point. If I got a flat on one of the 17" winters, could I use the OEM 20" spare or do I need to buy a 5th 17" wheel to be kept onboard as a spare?

What Snooper said is a better idea than steelies IMO. If you stick to an OE wheel, I think you can use the same lug nuts and all, so that's one less thing to worry about if you need to swap on a spare during and emergency. Also as far as if you can use the spare 20" or not with a 17" set of wheels, it's really not the diameter of the wheel that matters more so than the diameter of the tire. So assuming you keep the stock tire on the 20" spare, just make sure to get the same outer diameter snow tires on the 17s and you should be fine in a temporary situation. Of course you probably know this since you're from the snow capital , but obviously its not safe to run 3 snow tires and one all season tire, so be more cautious and try to get it replaced ASAP. I just don't want someone else to read this and get the wrong impression, lol.

I am not sure what the stock sized 20" tire is, but I would assume a 265/70R17 should match up to outer diameter pretty well since that's our stock 17" tire size, double check the spec just in case though!

 

[JayceeP]

What Snooper said is a better idea than steelies IMO. If you stick to an OE wheel, I think you can use the same lug nuts and all, so that's one less thing to worry about if you need to swap on a spare during and emergency. Also as far as if you can use the spare 20" or not with a 17" set of wheels, it's really not the diameter of the wheel that matters more so than the diameter of the tire. So assuming you keep the stock tire on the 20" spare, just make sure to get the same outer diameter snow tires on the 17s and you should be fine in a temporary situation. Of course you probably know this since you're from the snow capital , but obviously its not safe to run 3 snow tires and one all season tire, so be more cautious and try to get it replaced ASAP. I just don't want someone else to read this and get the wrong impression, lol.

I am not sure what the stock sized 20" tire is, but I would assume a 265/70R17 should match up to outer diameter pretty well since that's our stock 17" tire size, double check the spec just in case though!

Thanks again. I'll email a bunch of dealerships across the Maritimes to see if they may have buyers not wanting SR5 rims/looking to sell their wheels. Really hoping to keep the rim piece to $400....$500 max. Called the dealer locally and got a quote for BFG Slalom's installed and balanced at $203 each + tax (15% FML) and Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2's at $226+ tax installed and balanced. This is for 17".

 

[Newf4R]

Check out the Classifieds Thread sticky at the top of the 5th Gen page. Just recently I saw someone selling his SR5 wheels for $200. Even with shipping that should be less than a set of steelies... After taxes. 15% :barf:

And don't go less than 265/70/17s. They will fit perfect & won't screw up your speedo. There's absolutely no reason to go smaller. May be beneficial in the North Pole, but not Halifax.