Bigger or smaller?

Ok the big/small wheel debate, I know small wheels offer benefits like cheaper tires although some have said not by much and most off-road serious people have small wheels big rubbers. Big wheels give you the cool look and also fill the wheels better without going that much up in size with the tires. I feel like with bigger tires no matter what wheel size you get, you’ll get diff lift plus wider surface area, but won’t that make it easier to rub on the fender liners with suspension travel? 17,18,or 20’s for the occasional to semi-serious off-roader? Voice your opinion........

 

Bc related....

Someone defintely posted this in the funny pictures thread.... No repost police here, but if any we're thinking about it, it won't happen again!

 

https://youtu.be/3Sjx5AkvNOk

 

17 or 18" with a bigger sidewall look way better than 20's or bigger in my opinion

 

agreed

 

In my opinion:
Smaller wheel size and larger Tire > Larger wheel size and smaller Tire

I am a fan of smaller wheels with larger rubbers.

 

These are 18's SR8's on 295 ridge grapplers what they said above, less rim more rubber and this for me was a good ratio!

 

When it comes to off-road performance, smaller wheels, hands down. There really is no advantage for larger wheels and less rubber.

When it comes to on-road performance, smaller wheels have more advantage (better acceleration, braking, mpg, wheel protection). Larger wheels have advantage in handling high-speed turning (which personally I don't do often, actually, more like never). Also related to this--less body roll.

Pricewise, for the same overall size, smaller wheels and larger rubber is generally cheaper than larger wheels and smaller rubber. (I don't get why less rubber is more expensive).

The difference between 18 and 20 is really small though for everyday driving. But if you are serious off-roader and have to air down your tires, go over a very sharp rocks, etc., you will definitely get more nervous with 20 inch wheels than 18.

Theoretically 17s should be better than 18s. I did not go with 17s because I could not find any wheels I liked (and choice for Tundras in that size is really really small).

 

Like most people said, for most cases including offloading, the smaller wheel larger sidewall works best. Even on road, I prefer the larger side wall as it gives a better ride and I don't have to worry about damaging my wheel when I run over something. Big wheels look nice, but other then an advantage of handling they weigh more resulting in poorer performance, less MPG, and a harsher ride.

I went with 17" RW wheels as they are light, but if you don't like those wheels I would probably go with 18" for more options both for wheels and tires. I also highly recommend E rated tires. Although they ride a little firmer, I found that they made the truck feel much more stable in the turns. The stock 20" wheels and tires always felt mushy.

 

17's with 35's where it's at!! At least for me and alot of other guys/gals.

 

I have been looking for new wheels and tires. This has helped me decide, I'm going with 18" wheels but not sure on the tire size yet.

 

I agree but I have also seen 20's(I wouldn't go past 20, don't like the lowrider street queen 22-24" wheel looks) with 35's and 37's and it looks good with a lot of tire, but then back to the issue I mentioned it might rub on the fender liner when the suspension travels too far up

I agree but I have also seen 20's(I wouldn't go past 20, don't like the lowrider street queen 22-24" wheel looks) with 35's and 37's and it looks good with a lot of tire.

I agree but I have also seen 20's(I wouldn't go past 20, don't like the lowrider street queen 22-24" wheel looks) with 35's and 37's and it looks good with a lot of tire.

I agree but I have also seen 20's(I wouldn't go past 20, don't like the lowrider street queen 22-24" wheel looks) with 35's and 37's and it looks good with a lot of tire. I want 17's to be honest but not many choices like you said, only stock wheel is the rock warriors and those are discontinued plus hard to come by, methods yea I like them but I think i want a more tucked in look under the fenders or stock offset wheels.

I agree but I have also seen 20's(I wouldn't go past 20, don't like the lowrider street queen 22-24" wheel looks) with 35's and 37's and it looks good with a lot of tire. I like the rock warriors and hated toyota for discontinuing them, they're hard to come by and when I do find them they're always far and not willing to ship, I wish there were more 17" wheel choices besides methods, icon and rock warriors.

agreed

good to know it helped!