Winter Tires Limited

[mikeync]

So there seems to be a very limited option for Winter Tires for the Limited model (no pun intended).

The tire size is 245/60/20

One tire dealer here figured out the diameter (did I get that wrong?) at 31.5 and said a 275 Hancook tire would work great on the same rims

Tire Rack told me that the only thing they have is the Blizzak that would fit.

Anyone find anything else?

EDIT: Not actually expecting anyone else to be looking so just general thoughts are appreciated

 

[LyteFly]

I don't have the need, but if I needed summer and winter tires, I would want two sets of rims/tires. For winter I would go for 17" rims and appropriate sized winter tires (many more options for quality winter rubber). Keep the 20's for summer with existing tires.

 

[mikeync]

I don't have the need, but if I needed summer and winter tires, I would want two sets of rims/tires. For winter I would go for 17" rims and appropriate sized winter tires (many more options for quality winter rubber). Keep the 20's for summer with existing tires.

Yeah having two sets of rims is actually what I am thinking about doing.

Any issues with going with 17" rims in regards to mileage, TPMS or anything else? The issue here is that Alaska charges a "stud-tax" for places that studs tires so Toyota doesn't sell them so I have to go to someone besides the dealer.

 

[Scoobs]

Yeah having two sets of rims is actually what I am thinking about doing.

Any issues with going with 17" rims in regards to mileage, TPMS or anything else?

Shouldn't be any issues as long as the overall diameter is the same. I wouldn't bother with TPMS in winter i.e. I wouldn't buy another set of sensors.

 

[harper7]

I don't have the need, but if I needed summer and winter tires, I would want two sets of rims/tires. For winter I would go for 17" rims and appropriate sized winter tires (many more options for quality winter rubber). Keep the 20's for summer with existing tires.

:iagreeefinitely the way to go if you can afford it. The extra cost comes in buying 4 extra Toyota TPMS sensors which are a bit pricey . And then to recalibrate them every time you change wheels.

 

[M1911]

Buy a set of 17" rims for your snows. The rims and tires will cost less, the ride will be better, and you will be less likely to bend a rim on a pothole.

 

[mikeync]

Yeah rims and tires is going to be it. Rough rough estimate without even taking the car in puts that at like $1,200-$1,500 (remember I am in AK and we pay the AK premium up here). Winter tires that fits are $900-$1,000 so the extra cost for a second set of rims are almost a non-brainer.

Thanks a lot for the advice guys!

 

[M1911]

Yeah rims and tires is going to be it. Rough rough estimate without even taking the car in puts that at like $1,200-$1,500 (remember I am in AK and we pay the AK premium up here). Winter tires that fits are $900-$1,000 so the extra cost for a second set of rims are almost a non-brainer.

It isn't good to be taking tires on an off the rim twice a year anyways.

 

[harper7]

Yeah rims and tires is going to be it. Rough rough estimate without even taking the car in puts that at like $1,200-$1,500 (remember I am in AK and we pay the AK premium up here). Winter tires that fits are $900-$1,000 so the extra cost for a second set of rims are almost a non-brainer.

Thanks a lot for the advice guys!

Are you going to buy 4 new TPMS sensors or just live with the warning light? There is a grounding wire fix to shut it off on the 4th Gen. but not sure if it is the same for the 5th.

 

[dwulffusa]

I think its amusing this thread is discussing a set of winter wheels and tires for a 4Runner (you know - a body on frame offroad biased tough SUV), because the preppy 20's it came with just dont cut it year round. So after spending $40k on this vehicle, its expected that you would need to spend $1,500+ to get you safely through winter. Wow.

 

[harper7]

I think its amusing this thread is discussing a set of winter wheels and tires for a 4Runner (you know - a body on frame offroad biased tough SUV), because the preppy 20's it came with just dont cut it year round. So after spending $40k on this vehicle, its expected that you would need to spend $1,500+ to get you safely through winter. Wow.

They come with all season radials , pretty much like all new SUV's from all manufacturers.I hav'nt seen a new car on the lot with winter tires standard yet.

Great contribution on the topic!And I find it quite amusing that somebody that has never had a good thing to say about a 5th Gen. continues to troll the 5th Gen part of the Forum:bash:

Maybe you can be converted or already are!

 

[dwulffusa]

They come with all season radials , pretty much like all new SUV's from all manufacturers.I hav'nt seen a new car on the lot with winter tires standard yet.

Great contribution on the topic!And I find it quite amusing that somebody that has never had a good thing to say about a 5th Gen. continues to troll the 5th Gen part of the Forum:bash:

Maybe you can be converted or already are!

I may still be converted... it'll just take time.
And I did say good things about it, read again.

 

[Scoobs]

I think its amusing this thread is discussing a set of winter wheels and tires for a 4Runner (you know - a body on frame offroad biased tough SUV), because the preppy 20's it came with just dont cut it year round. So after spending $40k on this vehicle, its expected that you would need to spend $1,500+ to get you safely through winter. Wow.

Wow is right, as in Wow I can't believe you would make a statement like that. What does any of that have to do with whether or not you put snows on a vehicle, any vehicle?

 

[dwulffusa]

Wow is right, as in Wow I can't believe you would make a statement like that. What does any of that have to do with whether or not you put snows on a vehicle, any vehicle?

Ok, I'll change my attitude, I am really looking fwd to seeing different styles of 17s on 5th gens, specially if they come from the Toyota parts bin. Who's gonna be the first to use the 4th gen SE wheels?

 

[sandcrawler]

i think the 17s that come standard on the SR5 look pretty nice; better than the ones on my 06 SE.
not sure how i feel exactly about the Trail Edition rims yet…

 

[mikeync]

I think its amusing this thread is discussing a set of winter wheels and tires for a 4Runner (you know - a body on frame offroad biased tough SUV), because the preppy 20's it came with just dont cut it year round. So after spending $40k on this vehicle, its expected that you would need to spend $1,500+ to get you safely through winter. Wow.

So you expect a brand new car to be sold with winter tires? For most people the 4Runner as sold would be fine through their winter. Now the fact is that all-season tires freezes at a higher temperature than softer winter tires that can go lower. Fact is that in January we will be down to minus 30 here in Anchorage, AK (at least we were last winter). Fact is that my in-laws live up a mountain with a very very steep drive-way and I would like my wife and kid to get up to them safely. Fact is she already rolled one vehicle this year and I would like to keep it at no more than one per year.....

Now it wouldn't matter what size rims are on the vehicle. Winter tires are winter tires and I can get a pair of winter tires onto existing rims for $950. For most people in the lower 48 you can get the same tires for about $700 (Blizzaks). That isn't bad for a set of winter tires.

And oh before I forget what model of the 4runners in past generations came with winter tires standard?

 

[mikeync]

What I intended to post this morning before reading a certain other post is that I took the 4Runner out a bit last night. The car performed great on snow and ice even with OEM tires. Now it had been sitting in a garage so they were not frozen. I intentionally tried to get it to spin and slide and while possible it required a lot more than it does for my Armada WITH studded tires. This was very surprising to me, but I could feel all the systems kick in to keep it on a straight path.

Very impressed so far

 

[dwulffusa]

So you expect a brand new car to be sold with winter tires? For most people the 4Runner as sold would be fine through their winter. Now the fact is that all-season tires freezes at a higher temperature than softer winter tires that can go lower. Fact is that in January we will be down to minus 30 here in Anchorage, AK (at least we were last winter). Fact is that my in-laws live up a mountain with a very very steep drive-way and I would like my wife and kid to get up to them safely. Fact is she already rolled one vehicle this year and I would like to keep it at no more than one per year.....

Now it wouldn't matter what size rims are on the vehicle. Winter tires are winter tires and I can get a pair of winter tires onto existing rims for $950. For most people in the lower 48 you can get the same tires for about $700 (Blizzaks). That isn't bad for a set of winter tires.

And oh before I forget what model of the 4runners in past generations came with winter tires standard?

Good luck this winter.

 

[M1911]

I think its amusing this thread is discussing a set of winter wheels and tires for a 4Runner (you know - a body on frame offroad biased tough SUV), because the preppy 20's it came with just dont cut it year round. So after spending $40k on this vehicle, its expected that you would need to spend $1,500+ to get you safely through winter. Wow.

My 2003 V8 Limited cost had an MSRP of about $40k. It came with 17" wheels, not 20", and all-season radials. I live near Boston. I still put snow tires on it. All-seasons have fair grip in the snow when new, but I find they lose traction quickly as they wear. Furthermore, while you can start up quickly in the snow with all-seasons, that isn't the problem. The problem is turning and stopping. Snow tires are a huge help in that regards.

Could I safely drive my 4Runner in the winter on the all-seasons? Sure. Most folks around here drive the front-wheel-drive cars on all-seasons in the winter. But I prefer the added grip of the snows.

As for the extra cost, it really isn't that large. When you have your snows on the car, your summer tires aren't wearing down, so they last longer. They only significant added expense over time is another set of wheels.

 

[Vanuatoo]

i think the 17s that come standard on the SR5 look pretty nice; better than the ones on my 06 SE.
not sure how i feel exactly about the Trail Edition rims yet…

Agree, SR5 rims are really sexy. trail edition rims are so 20th century-ish and limited rims are unnecessary tall and silly thin.