Tires and Rims...1st Gen 4runner

[1stgenoverland]

I had a sweet brain wave these last few days....I have been dreading finding tires for my truck because of the stock rim size. 15"...There isn't exactly what I want out there anymore...For example, No one makes a 31"x9.50" tire (that I can find) So I figured....Why not go to a 1st Gen Tundra 16" steel wheel and enjoy a more complete selection of tires. The steel wheel looks pretty cool and I think would be a good fit for my 4runner....If you guys have any ideas...shoot...Id love to hear them. Sending links for pic's of people who have done this would be awesome too.

 

[PirateMcGee]

why not just go with a 30x9.50?

 

[corax]

Perfectly legit going to a 16" steel rim, but check tire prices first if that's a factor . . . tires for a 16" rim are usually pricier.

 

[Owyhee H]

You will need to run wheel spacers to run the newer wheels. SFA toyotas used a 3.5" backspacing, while the later IFS trucks all used 4.5"+ BS.

With wheel spacers any of the later 6 lug 16" steelies should work, but the tires are going to be more $$$$.

 

[CA-RJ]

If you don't need the extra inch of a 31x9.50, a 30x9.50 is a great way to go. I run them on my 86 Pickup and they fit the wheels perfectly.

 

[tanglefoot]

Yes, we solid-axle folks are much more limited. The later Toyota wheels have too much backspacing--they put the tire way too close to the frame on the back, and on the front, the wheels usually hit the ends of the steering arms before they seat all the way onto the studs.

I was originally in a similar situation--I really wanted to run a taller, skinny tire (but a little shorter than a 33x9.50). I was thinking about finding some cheap generic 16" wheels so I could run 235/85R16's but I found a set of the 15x6 Sr5 steel wheels on Craigslist though and fell in love with them. They even make the 31x10.50s look skinnier.

I'll run these 'till they rot, but next I think I'll go with the 30x9.50.

 

[twblanset]

235/75-15's are almost exactly the same size as 30x9.5's. And they are one of the cheaper tires out there. BFG AT 235's are $120-$130 at Costco. 31x10.5's are about $140.

 

[slus]

I wish I could have stayed with 15s, but they don't clear my brakes.

Why not go with 33x10.50s? They will fit with no lift if you run stock backspace wheels, maybe pound the pinch weld. 33x10.50s on 15x7s are quite skinny in my book.

 

[Owyhee H]

$$$$Tires

235/75-15's are almost exactly the same size as 30x9.5's. And they are one of the cheaper tires out there. BFG AT 235's are $120-$130 at Costco. 31x10.5's are about $140.

My costco has gone up a lot recently on these. I just bought a full size spare 31x10.5r15 was 179 out the door. All 16 inch tires were 200+ before mount and tax. The 31 was 159 before everything, a 265/75R16 was 216. Made me glad I had 15's.

I think you cant go wrong with 235, 30x9.5, or 31x10.5. These will all be great tires as long as your not wheeling a lot. Personally I think for traveling in a first gen having a little bigger tire is nice because it keeps the revs down on the highway, but you do have to downshift further on hills. The first gen was not made for 75mph freeways, gearing or aerodynamics.

 

[1stgenoverland]

thanks for all the help... I currently have 235/75r15's on my truck. I like them but I was thinking that it would be nicer to go for just a little taller. a 30 9.5 would be good but I think 31's would look cooler....I dont do any serious offroading but do go a few places where tire size are very important. Thats my reasoning for 31's....Do you guys think that the original rim size will keep the tire looking skinny...

 

[TAS]

I also like the tall, skinny look. I have 255/85r16's mounted on 16" American Racing Outlaw II on my 1985 Toyota pickup with no problems. Doesn't rub anywhere.

 

[tanglefoot]

I think the 31's do look narrower on narrower wheels. I started with them on 15x8's and then had them swapped onto the 15x6's. I remember oggling the new look in the tire shop parking lot--much more expedition-ready! :sombrero:

The thing I notice the most about the 10.50's is the steering effort. I have manual steering and it takes more oomph to crank the 31's around than the 235's. It's more manageable with a little extra tire pressure.

That's interesting that yours does better on the highway with taller tires, Idaho. Do you have a 5-speed? I feel like mine has plenty of overdrive--maybe too much. I do most of my highway driving in 4th. I don't even try for the new speed limits. I cruise at 50-60, depending on what it wants to do.

 

[Owyhee H]

Yes I have a 5-speed, but I try for 60-70 for a cruising speed. I find if I push 70+ my MPG drops significantly, but is doable. I like the bigger tires because they keep my RPM's down on the highway. I dont have the drag and weight on a regular basis like you do so I can be in 5th gear cruising until I hit a big hill.

FWIW with my 4.30 gears my speedo would be perfect with 30x9.5, 4.10's were perfect with 235/75, and I am about 5% low with the 4.30 and 31's.

I also did not see a drop in MPG going from 4.10 and 235 to 4.30 and 31" tires. I attribute this to the lower RPM at speed. YMMV

Random Note: I like driving on Oregon because the trucks are regulated to the same speed as the cars, and the max speed is 65 so most traffic is around 70mph.