Tires: 16 vs 17

Hi, I'm fairly new here and having a hard time with the search function so please bare with me...

I just bought my 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road a month ago and looking at upgrading my tires to the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A K02 265/75.

I'm thinking about trying to keep my stock rims and going with the 16", however I see that the 17" is also very popular. I'm wondering if there is any performance difference between 16" and 17" rims while off road?

Thanks for any insight

 

16 more side wall for off-roading

 

No noticeable difference, 17" is better because there is more selection and choices in size.

If just going up one size to 265 76 R16 stick with the factory rims, they look great from the start and the bigger tires will give the truck the look it needs.

 

I agree. Only advantage to 17's is more choices of rubber.

 

You can get the same overall tire diameter and width with either wheel size. The only difference is the size of the hole in the middle, and how much rubber is between the bottom of the wheel and the ground. Larger 17" wheels mean less rubber between the wheel and road assuming the same overall diameter. That will provide better handling when cornering aggressively on pavement.

With 16" wheels you get more rubber between the wheel and ground. That means a little softer ride and a little better off road performance. But less on road performance especially when driving aggressively. But there isn't that much difference between 16 and 17" wheels.

For what you want to do I'd stay with 16" wheels. At one time there were more 16" tire options, that may have changed, prices for 16" tires are almost always less. The 265/75/16's currently on my truck were $175 each. A 265/70/17, which is almost identical overall are $206 each.

 

If you off road, go with a 16". If you're a street taco like me, go with a 17".

 

Stick with the 16's. No appreciable difference in performance if going with the same overall tire dia. The 16" will offer more sidewall at the same overall diameter.
Save the money and put it towards gas, as you'll probably go through a lot more of it with those tires at 54 lbs(!) each. I noticed quite a performance drop when I put on my KO's vs some lighter truck tires. Note that these KO2's come in a D range 245/75R16 as well, which saves 8lbs per tire. It's unsprung weight, so every pound makes a big difference. Might be a consideration.

 

Thanks for your input guys, I think I'm going for the KO2 265/75/R16. From what I've researched this is close to being one of the largest tires you can get on the Gen 3 Tacoma without having to lift or change suspension, is that correct?

 

16 inch you’ll get an extra 1/2 of rubber between you and the ground - same overall diameter.
17 inch more tire choices, more choices in C load tires, strong but good weight. KO2 in 265 70 17 C load for 45lbs.

 

I've decided to abandon my 16" stock for 17" wheels because I've found there's so much more variety available in both wheels and tires at 17". But I'm a road dwelling Taco.

That being said, if you find 16" wheels and tires that you love, go for it. Nothing will suffer really.

 

Stick with 16" and save the $$ of buying new rims ;-)

 

As others have said, there are more options at 17 than 16. Also, you have room for a larger brake kit, if you want to go that route. I don't intend to install larger brakes and I like the look of my factory 16s, so I saved thee $1000 I'd spend on wheels.

I went with the Falken Wildpeaks in 255/285/16 (maybe 150 miles ago) and have been happy with them on-road. I haven't had a chance to get off-road with them yet.

 

I found a set of the factory TRD 4runner wheels & BFG tires for really cheap (< $500), and went to the 17s. Didn't really dis-like the 16s, just preferred the look of the 4runner wheels.

 

Let us know how you like your BFs I was thinking about this same tire when my stock ones are junk.

 

Get both!


265-75/16 rear 265-70/17 front

 

Am I missing something here? The thought of knowing that I'll have to get two tires at a time in different sizes each time seem like far more hassle than benefit.

Care to enlighten me? Or is this pretty strictly personal preference?

 

If you want to save money, stick with 16”.

 

265/75/16 Duratracs for the Win! (C Load, 6 ply.)

The Goodyear tire, Toyota should put on the Off Road Tacos.

 

Nope!


Sure! I have both sets (4 16” & 4 17”) and was swapping the 17s off to the 16s, as they weigh 8lbs lighter per wheel, for a big road trip.

 

i’ve come across this thought for weight savings, but did you end up weighing the tire size difference? I wonder if it is significant, given the tires are probably heavier than the wheels itself?