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18" or 20" which is better and why?

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by rarault1, Jul 8, 2020.

  1. Jul 8, 2020 at 4:48 PM
    #1
    rarault1

    rarault1 [OP] New Member

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    My new 2020 4x2 CrewMax is still at the port in Houston, waiting to ship to me in the New Orleans area. It will have the SR5 package, but I haven't fully decided upon the dealer package yet. In this area of the South (Gulf States Toyota), the TSS package includes chrome tip exhaust, 20" wheels instead of 18", steps, and a few other items. So the package is about $6K. I don't care about the exhaust, since it is on the side of the truck and not on the back. I can get steps after market for around $150 or less. The wheels is my main concern. I can stick with the stock 18" until the tires need replacing around 30K miles (does anyone get much more from stock tires?) Our terrain here is flat, not hilly and certainly no mountains..and, of course, potholes! My mechanic says the 18" will have more rubber and be a smoother ride, so that is the biggest plus I am seeing in this decision, but I figure I should ask Tundra owners what you they think.
    As far as the package costs, etc., even after I give up the $1500 rebate, but I still save $3000 off the purchase price. I appreciate suggestions, and if anyone has photos of the stock 18", I would appreciate seeing it. I can always get nicer 18" or 20" after that first tire replacement. The color of the truck is Magnetic Gray Metallic.
     
  2. Jul 8, 2020 at 4:52 PM
    #2
    omgboost

    omgboost The Accountant

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    It all comes down to personal preference and what your car is going to be used for. Most go with 18" for offroading along with beefier wheels for more sidewall. I have 20" and my car is a pavement queen.
     
    Sunnier and rarault1[OP] like this.
  3. Jul 8, 2020 at 5:01 PM
    #3
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Its all in the looks. I prefer 18s, but if a black set of Tss wheels popped up for sale i would run them in a heartbeat
     
    Black Wolf and rarault1[OP] like this.
  4. Jul 8, 2020 at 5:02 PM
    #4
    rarault1

    rarault1 [OP] New Member

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    For the initial savings, I am definitely considering the 18s, but if there is a compelling reason to go the other way, I'd want to know it. Thanks!!
     
    rebmo and Sunnier like this.
  5. Jul 8, 2020 at 5:04 PM
    #5
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    Nope. Only reason to go to 20’s is if you like the look and will stay on pavement. As far as more capability... just in case you decide to do significant off-roading, 18’s are better.
     
  6. Jul 9, 2020 at 4:56 AM
    #6
    tightywhitey

    tightywhitey New Member

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    If you get the 20’s, get bigger tires. I hated the 275/55/20. I scratched a wheel on a pot hole in New Orleans.
     
  7. Jul 9, 2020 at 5:05 AM
    #7
    Murph2308

    Murph2308 New Member

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    I definitely prefer 18s. I sold the 20s on mine to pick up 18s. I take it off road a fair bit, but even the ride on pavement is noticeably better.
     
    GODZILLA and Hoff like this.
  8. Jul 9, 2020 at 5:10 AM
    #8
    Toyotoholic

    Toyotoholic -4Life-

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    TSS 20" are a beautiful factory wheel. OEM tires are junk no matter what size. If you are on flat roads all the time, get the TSS. They will always look awesome and the only thing to do will be tires. You can bump up to a 285/60/20 and it will be perfect for a stock height truck.
     
    GELCW and NewImprovedRon like this.
  9. Jul 9, 2020 at 5:14 AM
    #9
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe Wolfie

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    Like someone already said, depends on the use.
    Personally, it was a deal breaker when I was looking at the voodoo TRD Sports where they come with the mall-crawling 20", wanted the color matched bumpers but couldn't justify the rims for what I was going to be using it for. Got the TRD Off Road because I wanted the 18" and do quite a bit of towing, off-roading, and mountain climbs up tiny access roads. That and I wanted the inferno over the voodoo which only came in the Off-Road version anyways so..

    My Wrangler had 16" on 33" BFGs, those big bitches on that tiny vehicle would climb over ANYTHING. :rofl:
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2020
    Jtundra81 likes this.
  10. Jul 9, 2020 at 5:17 AM
    #10
    Tundra 2019 tss

    Tundra 2019 tss New Member

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    I run 295/60/R20 with a 3/1 lift and I take mine off road all the time and no problems, but I also don't go crazy either because it is my daily driver and I live in south Arkansas.
    TIRE SIZE.jpg
     
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  11. Jul 9, 2020 at 7:30 AM
    #11
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I prefer 18" wheels so I can have more sidewall without having to use a larger heavier tire.
    My Tundra is a pavement only 'sport' truck, and the extra sidewall smooths out the ride.

    IMG_7908.jpg
     
    GODZILLA and Tundra 2019 tss like this.
  12. Jul 9, 2020 at 7:34 AM
    #12
    swank501

    swank501 New Member

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    I have stock SR5 18's with street tires on my Tundra and TSS 20's with BFG AT's on my sequoia. They both ride nice. The Sequoia has a sportier firmer feel, yet still nice road manners. The Tundra rides a bit softer and def quieter. Tires are far less expensive on the 18's
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  13. Jul 9, 2020 at 7:37 AM
    #13
    tennisfreak

    tennisfreak New Member

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    The sizing thread says a stock truck will only take a max of 275/60/20 without modifications.
    I'd love to run a 285/60/20 without lifting.
    Are you sure that would work because if so that is what I am going to do.
     
    Toyotoholic[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Jul 9, 2020 at 9:32 AM
    #14
    CTB Mike

    CTB Mike It's RED? My rods and cones must be screwed up!

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    Another opinion...
    My 2011 RW has the RW 17" forged wheels, and I installed Michelin Defender LTX tires. I love them, and I'm glad I have the 17" wheels. More sidewall, much smoother ride. I don't really go off road. This is my 3rd set of these tires on 3 different vehicles and I have never been disappointed. Like others here have said, it depends on what you want to use your truck for.
     
    Rex Kramer likes this.
  15. Jul 9, 2020 at 9:20 PM
    #15
    Tundra Fan

    Tundra Fan Got 17's?

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    As mentioned, it's all personal preference. I personally don't like the look of 20's at all. The popular thing nowadays seems to be a big wheel and a low profile tire. :der:
     
    FlyingWolfe likes this.
  16. Jul 9, 2020 at 10:28 PM
    #16
    realtorblake

    realtorblake Tundra Thunda

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    2019 Crewmax Platinum 5" Zone lift Fox 2.5 /OME suspension 12.5x35x18 ProComp's
    My 20" factory rims on a 2019 Platinum 4wd have been sitting in my garage for about a year and a half. I think I put 300 miles on them. Bought the wife 20" rims for her 4R and she used my take-off tires. I run 18's on 35" tires and the ride is great after re-doing the front and rear suspension. I would have gone with 17" rims if they would fit around the calipers... ride would probably be even better.
     
  17. Jul 10, 2020 at 6:25 AM
    #17
    Toyotoholic

    Toyotoholic -4Life-

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    I believe on factory wheels, a little trimming, mud flap removable and encouragement, this is possible. It depends on the actual tire too. Just because it says it is a certain size doesn't mean it is that actual size on your rim/width. See what the tire you are looking at is "actual" on the same size rim. I put 275/65/20 on mine (3"lift) and they were smaller than the "listed size" due to my wheel being wider than the measured tire on the website. With some research, anything is possible.
     
  18. Jul 10, 2020 at 6:42 AM
    #18
    CaptainGrumpus

    CaptainGrumpus The Mailman

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    Probably not high on the list of reasons to go 18 instead of 20 but the cost of tires for 20’s is gonna be a bit higher.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2020
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  19. Jul 10, 2020 at 7:01 AM
    #19
    CaptainGrumpus

    CaptainGrumpus The Mailman

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    I’ll blame auto correct o_O
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.

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