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18 vs. 20 inch - Any advantage to either wheel size?

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by gdog_Tundra, Feb 21, 2019.

  1. Feb 21, 2019 at 3:02 PM
    #31
    jtwags

    jtwags Concrete jungle

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    X2^ Someone else posted a comparison of 18 vs 20 inch wheel weight. The 18 with same tire brand was lighter and would contribute to better mpgs. may have been on an mpg thread.
     
    joonbug[QUOTED] and 15whtrd like this.
  2. Feb 21, 2019 at 3:26 PM
    #32
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Yep..and the additional sidewall steel armor/belts will add significant weight.
     
  3. Feb 21, 2019 at 5:15 PM
    #33
    Medic343

    Medic343 5+4+3=2

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    I just kind of take the same stance on ride comfort as I do with gas mileage. I bought a 4 wheel drive 5,000 pound truck and put 10ply all terrain tires on it. I expect a rough stiff ride out of it.
    Also, maybe I am not quite the off-road you guys are but I'd like to say I've taken my Tundra plenty of places I probably shouldn't NM is a brutal place. While hunting, Rocky trails, forest roads, I live in southern New Mexico which is all desert sand, etc but I've never felt the need to "air down" or need more out of my tires. My BFGs have taken a beating, there are chunks missing, there are cuts in the sidewall, but they still hold together and don't leak.
    I love the way my truck looks on 20s. I have plenty of tire and sidewall (35s). And I don't ever feel a 17 or 18 wheel will improve my trucks ability.
     
  4. Feb 21, 2019 at 5:31 PM
    #34
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Totally understand. I used to off-road with my 20s and didn’t have any problems. I don’t get too crazy as I like to make sure my truck stays whole lol. But airing down the tires really does help. You’d be surprised at how much smoother everything gets. The traction goes up and I feel it is easier on the ball joints and other suspension components etc. 20s aren’t wrong by any means especially running a 35 inch tire. But the question was what was the advantage between the two rooms sizes. And there is no question that a smaller rim with a big tire has its benefits off road.

    I’m still on stock 32 inch tires. But a couple months ago I was driving down a washboard road on my way to the trail head to take about 30 miles of fire road up to the top of big Bear. I decided at that point I was going to air down early. It was night and day in ride comfort. It really smoothed out the small bumps. It also helps protect against punctures from sharp rocks. I bring a compressor, tire plugs and a full size spare.
     
    Sunnier, joonbug and Black Wolf like this.
  5. Feb 21, 2019 at 5:35 PM
    #35
    NickyF25

    NickyF25 New Member

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    One of the first things I did was get rid of the Platinum 20’s for SCS SR8s which are 18s w/ KO2s. Ride and looks to me were much improved. I am not a fan of 20s or bigger wheels on trucks but I like the look of more tire and less wheel.
     
  6. Feb 21, 2019 at 5:48 PM
    #36
    Medic343

    Medic343 5+4+3=2

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    The OP wanted to know if he should make the switch and why. I am posting my replies based on the fact that he does not HAVE to make the switch and spend an extra $1500 - $3000 for no reason if he currently has 20" wheels. But rather just put better tires than stock.
     
    fedorachef and Navi like this.
  7. Feb 21, 2019 at 6:05 PM
    #37
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Still have the KC's but on my winch bumper. Yes....back in the 70's the lights on a wannabe roll bar was the thing...unless you did like me back in high school. Take four years of auto shop and metal shop. I fab'd my own roll bar and underneath bed pipe welded to my project CJ5 frame. Without a doubt the smallest rim you can go with offroad tires the better wheeling in all conditions...but what do I know. The Jeep was a Sophomore shop project in 1971....just sayin...
     
    Sunnier and Navi like this.
  8. Feb 21, 2019 at 7:46 PM
    #38
    Black Wolf

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    I still see 3 deep chrome roll bars with cheesy lights... best for a Tijuana truck parade...which is fine...in Tijuana.
     
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  9. Feb 21, 2019 at 9:22 PM
    #39
    15whtrd

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    For some reason it says you quoted me on this. But I don’t see my name anywhere.
     
  10. Feb 21, 2019 at 9:24 PM
    #40
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Like a jeep with 24s or a hummer. For some reason I just can’t get past it and I hate it in its entirety LOL
     
    TRDSPORT118[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Feb 22, 2019 at 8:45 AM
    #41
    gdog_Tundra

    gdog_Tundra [OP] New Member

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    Thanks to all for your comments....I am really about looks and cost. With that being said, the 18's are certainly cheaper tire wise. I am pretty sure at this point I will move to an 18 with a little bit of rim lip and some -offset to the wheels I pick to give it a wide stance. I like the thought of more tire sidewall to fill up the wheel well.
    G
     
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  12. Feb 22, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #42
    Pjholt

    Pjholt New Member

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    Better yet, 17's. Here is my black 2018 with 35/12.50X17 on ICONS vs my white 2015 on 295-60R-20's the 17's ride SO much better and are much better crawling on rocks etc. And personal opinion, they look better also. But then opinions of course are like assholes, everyone had one and they all stink...
    18 TRD~1.jpg 2015 TSS White.jpg
     
  13. May 24, 2019 at 7:20 AM
    #43
    ktmhauler

    ktmhauler New Member

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    Just bought my Tundra a few weeks ago SR5 double cab with the steel 18's. Anyone know how long those Michelin tires that come stock last? Was thinking about wearing them out then going to 20's since I kind of hate those painted steel wheels, but starting to think I'll just stick to 18's and put the same tires on the new wheels and save a few bucks. Considering i'm not trying to race the truck on the street, are there any other advantages to 20's?

    Most of my off road is getting through muddy and rutted parking areas and cow pastures hauling my dirtbike and 7x14 enclosed trailer so while I would lean towards better off road than on, I don't plan on lifting the truck and putting mud stompers on it.
     
  14. May 24, 2019 at 7:36 AM
    #44
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I run 18 inch alloys on my '07, they are fitted with 31.5" tires that are a little over an a inch wider than stock and the sidewall is about .25" shorter than stock. This combo is great for the street and lighter than a similar 20" combo, and the 18" combo is less expensive.
     
    ColoRADo MTNMAN likes this.
  15. May 25, 2019 at 5:48 AM
    #45
    fleidermaus82

    fleidermaus82 New Member

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    Perhaps I’m a little late to the party, but I’d personally think about what role your truck will have? Mostly road with or without towing? Mostly off-road? You can specialize, or be a jack of all trades.

    For my truck, it’s mostly on road, and carrying various loads. So the 20s are fine there. I would investment in good tires for your purposes before changing wheels.
     
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  16. May 25, 2019 at 5:53 AM
    #46
    gdog_Tundra

    gdog_Tundra [OP] New Member

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    So......I forgot about this post...
    I ended up going with 20x10 -18 and it looks like this...
    Thanks for everyone's input
    G
     
  17. May 25, 2019 at 5:54 AM
    #47
    Black Wolf

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    17" has the best advantage.
     
  18. May 25, 2019 at 5:56 AM
    #48
    gdog_Tundra

    gdog_Tundra [OP] New Member

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    I found that the specific tire I wanted was a challenge for anything outside a 20 inch rim...
    G
     
  19. May 25, 2019 at 6:05 AM
    #49
    Professional Hand Model

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  20. May 25, 2019 at 7:25 AM
    #50
    ninjajay

    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    More tire more better
     
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  21. May 28, 2019 at 10:33 AM
    #51
    showtime240

    showtime240 New Member

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    If you are going to have 35s or less in tire size, then opt for 17s or 18s
    If you are going to have 37s or larger in tire size, then you can get 20s and still have the same advantage of 18s with 35s....

    Also, for comparison sake, Nitto Ridgegrappler in 37/12.5/18 weighs 83.39lbs, 37/12.5/20 weigh 81.06lbs

    Method Roost 5x150, 18x9 = 26.4lbs
    Method Roost 5x150, 20x9 = 34.8lbs

    Therefore, as others have stated, the 20" combo will weigh slightly more
     
  22. May 28, 2019 at 10:38 AM
    #52
    ktmhauler

    ktmhauler New Member

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    Yea I really don't want to do anything to make the wheels + tires heavier or really anything else that will decrease gas mileage on mine. I drive 100 miles to the trails and just need enough off road to get me out of a jam on rainy dirt roads and cow pastures, but do want some better looking wheels than the stock painted steel.

    Think i'm going to stick with stock size 18' wheels and put the stock tires on them to start with, otherwise i'll need to wait until the stock tires wear out to justify buying new ones.
     
  23. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:00 AM
    #53
    COFlyFisher

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    I’m right there with ktmhauler above. I put 25,000 plus miles a year on my truck (my 10 yr old Silverado I traded on this Tundra had 276,000 plus miles on it). Most of that will be road time. I will leave serious off-roading to those who enjoy it. I don’t go to Moab. Will make my uncle use his F-150 if it comes to it...lol. Just basic trails to get in and out of fly fishing areas, hunting areas, and cow pastures out on the plains. And I do these things frequently...probably more than most.

    Love my 20 inch inch wheels that came with my Limited. After an hour long conversation with the shop foreman at my dealership “new owner event” last night, I will stick with stock tires for now based on my need use, going to a mild all-terrain at a later date. He crawled under my truck with me to go over the underneath of my Tundra and the makeup of it. That was service above and beyond.

    And don’t get me wrong, a lot of these Tundras you guys post with these wheel and tire rigs look fabulous. Kind of gives em a bad-ass look. My hats off to all of you.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2019
  24. Oct 27, 2019 at 7:34 PM
    #54
    TundraDude18

    TundraDude18 Deus vult

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    Was all about less rim and more tire when I was young.

    Now, I love 20's: but then, I'm always on pavement too.

    I think what rims/tires you go with has a lot to do with what you are going to be using them for ...
     
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  25. Oct 30, 2019 at 1:12 PM
    #55
    PMITCH

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    My 2015 limited came with 20s, and i still use the 20s during the summer however I did go up a size in tire when I put my leveling kit in it. However I bought a set of TRD 18s and mounted real aggressive tires for both winter and off roading. I don’t see any difference in ride quality, or the longevity of the tire. A little more roll in the corners with the 18s, however a lot more road noise due to the aggressive tread. On a side note anyone going with a leveling kit, oil changes become a pain in the a$$ with the spacers necessary for the skid plate and a few places won’t even try to do my alignment anymore which I have checked frequently. Outside of that I wouldn’t give up my tundra for anything..... well the twin turbo hybrid model expected late 2022 at 30 MPG might get some attention, not nearly as much as an 8 liter hino diesel though. Come on Toyota give us what we want. Lol
     
  26. Oct 30, 2019 at 2:08 PM
    #56
    Uhhhh....

    Uhhhh.... New Member

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    "18 vs. 20 inch - Any advantage to either wheel size?"

    [​IMG]
    -- Yes. The 20 inch wheel size has an advantage over the 18 inch wheel size because it is 2 inches larger.
     
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  27. Oct 30, 2019 at 3:58 PM
    #57
    yoshi82

    yoshi82 New Member

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    3B52021B-6839-4442-B85A-6439BAC0803F.jpg LOL!!! Let’s see just order some Wheels. Going from 20 to 18. Tire Falken wildpeak 295/70 R18, Will I be noticing the difference next week
     
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  28. Oct 30, 2019 at 4:09 PM
    #58
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    20" rims do perform well at the mall. Especially with the Holidays coming up....
     
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  29. Oct 30, 2019 at 4:11 PM
    #59
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Edit....this post was done when I had my 07. Going to 17s

    Edit....I'm hoping to win a set of 17" Icons at @Toytec Lifts next raffle.....
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2020
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  30. Feb 6, 2020 at 7:34 AM
    #60
    tsmith2037

    tsmith2037 New Member

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    I have 18” wheels, mainly because my 2012 did. I tow a 9200lb 5th wheel. Firestone Air Springs set at 40psi unloaded tows dead level. I had the dealer move my Toyo 10 ply tires over as they had only 9k miles Was considering 20”. Sound like the 18” are better. I air up to tow. 40/65 front/rear.
     

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