Do lighter wheels make a difference?

Hello everyone, hope all is well. I have a 19’ TRD Pro with 20” fuel’s currently. I know what you’re thinking, to big for a Pro. Well, I decided I want 17” methods, and a 35x12.50, currently have a 295/60. If I go with a slightly heavier tire but my wheel gets lighter by almost 20 pounds on all four corners. Will it make a difference?
As in MPG or Acceleration type of difference

 

I don't think you'll be able to notice a difference in MPG or acceleration but you'll probably be able to feel the more comfortable ride.

 

Getting a Prius you will notice a difference in MPG but you will have a performance loss.

It would be the difference of you having a friend in the truck compared to not having a friend in the truck.

 

Yes they can, as long as you don't load them up with heavy tires.

Reducing a vehicles unsprung weight is always a good thing.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/articl...nce-between-sprung-weight-and-unsprung-weight

 

A 17” wheel tire has a lot more rubber than 20” wheel tire. So what you drop in wheel weight you pick back up in tire weight. So the differences are negligible.

 

That’s what I figured!

 

Curious as to why 20s would be to much for a Pro 4x4? When TSSs, Sports, and others comes with 20s and they all are 4x4s and have the same engine? Have been wanting to ask this for awhile? Why do Pros have 18s on them??

 

They're ok if you stay on pavement. Just not enough cushion offroad. Even 18's are really too large if you wheel hard.

 

More rubber means more comfort and a better off-road experience all around. Large rims aren’t the best if you’re really trying to get out there and off road. Nothing wrong with the 4 x 4 and large wheels. People need 4 x 4 in inclement weather etc. It does look nice but at the end of the day rubber is cheaper on a smaller rim and you can air down creating a larger contact patch while off road.So for a truck that is marketed for off-road like the pro, you wouldn’t want 20s per se.

 

In this case it isn't really the sprung weight that makes the difference as much as the ROTATIONAL weight. Not only is the total weight a consideration, but also where the weight is!! Heavy rims with light tires will accelerate better than light rims with heavy tires... even when both have an identical TOTAL weight.

 

Unless you have like 44s on it LOL then I doubt that inch matters. That’s what she said

 

I appreciate everyone’s input. I wonder how quickly I can sell these ridge grapplers/fuels... anyone know of someone looking?
295/60r20 Nitto Ridge Grappler
20x9 Gloss Black Fuel Assaults
Won’t happen now, maybe in the next month or two.

 

I’m sure somebody will want that set up. But you will need some more posts before you can put them up for sale here. I think it’s 50 non fluff posts. It’s been a while since I’ve read the rules LOL. Stick around there’s plenty to talk about ha ha

I definitely wasn’t trying to bash your set up. Just trying to give honest answers.

 

None taken! I agree with you!

 

The really big difference in a lighter wheel is when you have the truck on a lift, taking wheels off and putting them back on is easier but I’m naturally strong so no big deal

 

Tread design can make a difference, rolling resistance. Thought being more aggressive tread can have higher resistance on pavement requiring more juice to keep it going.

So not just weight but what tread switching to and from.

And width....

 

This.

Go to YouTube Engineering Explained channel. Search "Rotational Inertia". He gives good real world examples and provides real engineering principles.

https://youtu.be/CxuER0qIWJk

(believe it or not, this guy was born in 1967)

 

Great video, thanks.

 

Car and driver did a test back in 2010. Here is the article.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15130598/upsized-wheels-tires/