16" vs 17" wheels

I bought my 2020 TRD Sport with an XP Predator package - trading 17" wheels for the 16" TRD Pro rims and OR tires. I love the aggressive look and I noticed that the Pro and OR models come with 16" wheels, while the Sport and Limiteds come with larger wheels.

What's the rationale here? I've been looking into lifts (and trying to get my head to stop spinning with all the options and opinions) but don't need or want that much more height - at most I was looking at a 3/2 lift/level and would primarily do this for looks.

Would there be any benefit to just starting by increasing my wheel size to 17"? I assume since the Sport normally comes stock, this shouldn't be a problem? Any concerns with going up in size AND having more aggressive tires?

I'm fairly new to this - so go easy!

 

Most people that go off roading like the 16" wheels better because it's more sidewall which is more cushion and more traction airing down. It's not that huge of a deal, I switched to 17" trd sema wheels. You just get less sidewall to end up with the same tire size. 265/70/17(almost a 32" tire) will fit on stock height with minor rubbing only if you have the mudguards. 285/70/17(almost a 33" tire) will fit on a 3/2 lift with some minor trimming on the wheel wells

 

Thanks for the info - so now a really stupid follow up - so my tires are 17” diameter but are on 16” rims? I guess I thought the wheel and fire diameter had to match and any increase in wheel size would require a new set of tires.

If I went up in size, I could keep the tires? I understand I might want a wider set to keep the look, but I’d been looking at the 17” 4Runner TRD pro wheels as an option and keeping my tires, at least for a little while would help offset the cost of the change.

 

This is a real handy tool to use on this site that I have plugged numbers into a million times before I changed tire sizes.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc

I'm now running 255/80 r17.
Definitely worth check the calculator out.

 

17” tires- 17” wheels
16” tires- 16” wheels

That is the only way it works. 16s will not work on 17s and vice versa.

I’ll chime in on the size, I run 17s. I have run 265 70 17s and now currently run 35 10.50 17s.

Even the difference in tire did not mess up my ability of the truck. Quite frankly I crawled better on the 265s, shocking I know. I run 15-20lbs, depending on my conditions. The sidewalk does help but my truck has seen A lot of heavy crawling and as well as normal trailing.

It’s a personal preference thing, I prefer more tire than wheel, however I did get a killer deal on the 17s I have now and didn’t want to switch to 16s. That’s IMO though. Take it as you like.

 

Plus 17” tires cost more not a ton but something to add in.

 

Once you get used to the look of 17” wheels, the 16” can look a little goofy. I run 17” wheels with 265/70/17 Tires in summer and 16” wheels with 265/75/16 tires in winter. Both have the same outside diameter of about 31.6”.

I much prefer the look of the truck on 17” wheels. I have not noticed a difference in performance, but I’m not rock crawling. Just moderate off-roading. I do notice a difference when I put my heavy 16” 10-ply snow tires on after all summer and fall on my 17” 6-ply all terrains. Noticeable loss of power and torque with the extremely heavy 16” tires. I look forward to getting my lightweight 17” wheel/tire combo back on.

 

You are confusing tire diameter and wheel diameter I think.

Your current tires are about 30.5" diameter most likely. The wheel size doesn't determine your tire diameter, a 16" wheel and 17" wheel can have the same tire diameter, but a tire for a 16" wheel will not fit a 17" wheel, and vice versa. If you change wheel size you have to get new tires. The 4runner trd pro wheels are the TRD sema wheels I mentioned earlier, and if you have 17" wheels currently, they will work with your tires.

Tire sizes like 265/70/17 means 265 millimeters wide, fitting on a 17" wheel, and 70% of 265mm tall sidewall.

 

If you plan on running 33" or greater tires, you cannot get a P rated tire in 16". This means your tire options in 16" get a lot less comfy. 17" affords you a street tire with better manners.

 

You do not have 17" tires on 16" rims. They would not seal!

 

...clearly. So I guess I am reading these wrong or not understanding, but the markings on my tires read: P265/70/R17 - does this not mean 17"?

 

that means 17” rim.

 

Yes. But it also indicates you have a 17" wheel.

 

...i'm dumb. I just made the assumption when they added the "XP Predator Package" that they did this to the specs on the website builder...it looks as though they did not, which makes sense somewhat as the dealer had the truck on lot and told me they could add the components of the package at a reduced price (I thought this was to move the truck, and it may have been...).

It looks like, using a tape measure...something I probably should have done before embarrassing myself with this post...that the rim diameter is 17". I'm assuming this means they likely added the Sema TRD Pro wheels from a 4Runner?

 

Yep. Can post a picture if you want definite confirmation. But likely yes.

I think those look better anyway.

 

nothing to be embarrassed about. We all start somewhere. It doesnt make it easier when dealers change things or dont understand their product. I got sold a not truth by trusting them even on my most recent truck purchase.

I shudder to think how many times I just got lucky from ignorance.

 

Thanks! I agree - I think they look great.

 

As a general rule you will find a wider selection of tires in the 17" rim size. Having had a Sport with 17's and now an OR with 16's I think the 17's behave better at highway driving but that is anecdotal. Could also be the Sport suspension vs the softer OR suspension. Personally, I'll be looking at going to 17's when ever I wear out the OEM 16's. That's a ways off so I'll probably change my mind a few times before that time.

 

Those are the same wheels that go on the 4Runner and I also run them. They are fantastic, and will drive great offroad or on the highway. And as many others have mentioned you can get more options for rubber. I also have the stock OR 16”s, but wish they were 17’s so I could run two different sets of 255/75/17 (32”)

 

Don’t worry about it, happens to the best of us.

I noticed the specs on my truck online were different when I went to pick mine up as well.

Truck looks good nonetheless!