16" vs 17" Rims - Pros/Cons?

[FireGuy]

I'm currently running stock Toyota 17" alloys with BFG 255/75/17 MT tires. In the near future I'll be stepping up to a true 33". I was wondering if there is any benefit to going with a 16" rim vs a 17". Right now I am noticing that with the 17's and 255's, my rims are starting to get beat up pretty good (lots o rocks in Nevada!). I'm thinking more sidewall would be a good thing.

 

[spencyg]

Many of the newer trucks have such large brakes that the stock 17's are the smallest wheel you can fit without rubbing. Might be wise to check before spending any $$.

Spence

 

[FireGuy]

Many of the newer trucks have such large brakes that the stock 17's are the smallest wheel you can fit without rubbing. Might be wise to check before spending any $$.

Spence

Good point. My particular 4Runner can run either size, although some newer 4Runners can only run 17" rims.

 

[Cackalak Han]

If I had the choice to run both, I'd run 16's due to the cheaper tires. Also, more sidewall means smoother ride.

 

[Scott Brady]

16" tire availability internationally.

When we crossed the border on the way to Panama, we know that the likelihood of finding anywhere near the same tire we were running would be impossible. We used beadlocks for ease of patch and repair and kept our fingers crossed. We had two spares between the two Jeeps. We were lucky, and had no flats on any of the trucks.

At first, I was resistant to the 17" size. I have it on the EarthRoamer and now the new JK Overland, and it seems to work just fine. Obviously, there is a greater chance of damaging a rim with a 17", but the JK allows easy fitment of pretty tall tires, so I think that outweighs it.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I'm currently running stock Toyota 17" alloys with BFG 255/75/17 MT tires. In the near future I'll be stepping up to a true 33". I was wondering if there is any benefit to going with a 16" rim vs a 17". Right now I am noticing that with the 17's and 255's, my rims are starting to get beat up pretty good (lots o rocks in Nevada!). I'm thinking more sidewall would be a good thing.

Seeing as how a 1" smaller wheel would only move the rim 1/2" closer to the hub, would it really make much of a difference?

I'd go with 16's just because of the greater tire availability, but now that so many vehicles have 17" tires, that may not be an issue anymore.

 

[HMR]

I have both. I keep a set of street tires on the 17" rims and BFG AT's on the 16" rims. I much prefer the 16" rims due to tire availability.

 

[redthies]

I have been to 3 different tire shops this week and they all said that 16" was the new 16.5 and that we would start to see them slowly lose size options. Somebody has decided for us that 17 is better. Bummer because I plan on keeping my 16s...