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20 or 18 wheels

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by TundraLife, Aug 18, 2015.

  1. Aug 18, 2015 at 9:52 PM
    #1
    TundraLife

    TundraLife [OP] New Member

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    I wanted to get you guys opinion on wheel sizes. The TSS edition crewmax comes with 20 inch wheel upgrade. Is it ok to put 18 inch wheels on down the road if I wanted to change them?
    And is there any advantage to going down to 18 from 20? Like putting bigger tires or gas mileage, etc...
    Thanks!
     
    SR5SE likes this.
  2. Aug 18, 2015 at 10:12 PM
    #2
    RichWentFishing504

    RichWentFishing504 New Member

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    Stock is 18. No problems there. I got the same package.

    Theoretically the lighter the tire and wheel combo are the better performance and gas mileage you get. Same rim, bigger tires means more energy required to get that mass moving. It's all a trade off.

    That said I think the offroad guys like the smaller rim and bigger tires. Personally I'm all about towing and road performance so theoretically a 20" alloy rim with stock size tires should be better for my needs. However, I just like chrome so I'm keeping my TSS rims until they get enough curb checks to warrant replacement.
     
    TundraLife[OP] likes this.
  3. Aug 18, 2015 at 11:10 PM
    #3
    Rkcruza

    Rkcruza New Member

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    De Badged / Decaled, Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags w/ Daystar Cups, 17" Rims, Big Brake kit w/ slotted & drilled rotors, plus lots of work related stuff.
    If it was me and 18's fit OK I'd go with 18's for two reasons. 1st is I like the look of "more tire" on a 4x4 vs. low profile stuff and 2nd because living in the country we have lots of crappy roads and I know lots of folks who have trashed 20's from simply hitting a pothole. My lady took out a rim on her Subaru Legacy (it has 50 series tires on 17's)...not much of a hit and the rim was toast! I like a bit of sidewall between the road and my rim.
     
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  4. Aug 19, 2015 at 5:01 AM
    #4
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Agreed. Son has 20" inchers on his Tahoe. Has had to get two repaired just from local potholes and wasn't cheap. More rubber the better for any rim size. Less rubber isn't all that great for towing either. IMO
     
  5. Aug 19, 2015 at 5:46 AM
    #5
    poto-toyo

    poto-toyo New Member

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    3-1 level 305/55/20 w/Pro-comp, Stubby Antenna, tow mirrors
    I'm also struggling over 305/55/20 vs. 305/65/18 I also prefer more tire (industrial look) on my truck. Unfortunately local shop doesn't offer the 18's, would have to order those. Is it worth the wait? Too many decisions!
     
  6. Aug 19, 2015 at 6:57 AM
    #6
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I have 18's which seem to be a good fit and there are plenty of 18" tires out there with a lot of rubber to choose from unlike for 20"ers. Tire mfrs are always coming out with new sizes. Need to check with the various mfrs sites to see what's available especially with most truck mfrs offering 20" rim options now.
     
    TundraLife[OP] likes this.
  7. Aug 19, 2015 at 9:03 AM
    #7
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    Most people get 20s because they like the look. Personally I like the look of 18s, more off-road look.

    18's will have the following advantages.

    Slightly better mpg
    Slightly better acceleration
    Slightly better braking
    Significant wheel protection, as noted above. My neighborhood has craters (not just pot holes), haha.
    Significantly less expensive wheels
    Significantly less expensive tires (I don't get this one--for the same overall diameter, less rubber costs more)

    20s have slight advantage in handling.

    So functionally, there are more reasons to go with 18s over 20s. That I like the look of 18s is just a bonus.
     
    TundraLife[OP] likes this.
  8. Aug 19, 2015 at 9:15 AM
    #8
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I agree with everything you listed except the handling part. There are not a lot of 20" highway rated load range E/10 ply tires. The Load range E/ 10 ply would provide superior road handling, especially with our heavy trucks and towing decent sized trailers . The few load range E/10 ply 20"er's out there are quite expensive and would definitely require some lift with the additional rubber. The handling aspect depends more on tire quality/load rating than rim diameter. Rim width would definitely have an impact on road handling depending on load and road conditions. IMHO.
     
    poto-toyo, TundraLife[OP] and chphilo like this.
  9. Aug 19, 2015 at 9:19 AM
    #9
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    I agree. After upgrading to e-rated tires, I noticed that a significant improvement in handling.
     
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  10. Aug 19, 2015 at 9:26 AM
    #10
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I've seen non LT tires on full size trucks occasionally. Actually with P rated tires. Those must handle real well. heh heh. E rated is the only way to go.
     
  11. Aug 19, 2015 at 11:14 AM
    #11
    TundraLife

    TundraLife [OP] New Member

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    Ok thanks for the advice everybody. I'm trying to decide if I go ahead with the 20s and the all terrain tires that come with the package and later on switching to 18s with all terrain type tires or just putting 18s on from the get go.
    Guess I'm also looking at cost as well. 20s with all terrain tires versus 18s with all terrain tires. Which will be more cost effective when talking about replacing tires in future?
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2015
  12. Aug 19, 2015 at 12:05 PM
    #12
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    Tires for 20s are substantially more expensive than those for 18s.

    For example, I compared 295/70/18 (34.3 inches in diameter) vs 295/60/20 (33.9 inches in diameter).

    Nitto Tera Grappler G2:
    295/60/20: $352
    295/70/18: $297

    Nitto Trail Grappler
    295/60/20: $398
    295/70/18: $343

    A lot less rubber for 20s, yet substantially more expensive.

    Also 20 inch wheels are substantially more expensive also.
     
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  13. Aug 19, 2015 at 12:27 PM
    #13
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Same thing happened when 17"s came out, then 18"s. Pretty much depends on demand. Apparently 19" is an unlucky wheel size. You'd think 21" would be a wnner.[​IMG]
     
    TundraLife[OP] likes this.
  14. Jan 7, 2016 at 8:48 AM
    #14
    dyvet2004

    dyvet2004 New Member

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    I like the look of the 18"s with more rubber. Aggressive look.
     
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  15. Oct 27, 2019 at 5:31 PM
    #15
    Karask88

    Karask88 New Member

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    I want to put the trd brake kit on my 2011 tundra. It says I have to use 20 inch wheels. Don't you have to get 20inch rims to go with that
     
  16. Oct 27, 2019 at 5:35 PM
    #16
    MAGDADDY

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    Ditched the factory 20’s for these 18’s. It’s so much better!
     
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  17. Oct 27, 2019 at 8:54 PM
    #17
    Karask88

    Karask88 New Member

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    Well wanted to put the trd brake pads
     
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  18. Oct 28, 2019 at 3:04 AM
    #18
    Rex Kramer

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    18's on my 2007, 255/70's during the cooler months and 285/60's during the hot months.
     
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  19. Oct 28, 2019 at 3:15 AM
    #19
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    I disagree with the slightly lower mpgs. 20s with same tire width and diameter may actually be lighter. I don't like 20s but they were the only way to get BFGs from factory. As far as tire cost goes it will take several tire purchases to make up for cost of new rims.
     
  20. Oct 28, 2019 at 3:40 AM
    #20
    stewtopia

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    IMO smaller wheels, bigger tires look way better.
     
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  21. Nov 2, 2019 at 1:32 AM
    #21
    gears_call

    gears_call New Member

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    18 for sure
     

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