18’’ or 20’’ for winter?

[crazycruizer]

I decided to buy a set of winter tires given that I’ll be driving all winter on icy/snowy roads, and wanted to get some peace of mind. I own a LCLC which comes with 20in wheels, and am considering Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw vs Bridgestone Blizzak plus few others, though options are limited in that rim size, so I’m exploring the 18in too. Since this is my first truck, would you recommend 18in or 20in for winter? Any other suggestions for other winter tires? Thanks for your advice!

 

[AreJay]

I'm in the same boat with 20" wheels. I just ordered Michelin X-ice 255/70R18XL with 18" Toyota OEM steel wheels, I think they are from the Tundra. May not be the best look, but will do fine to get me through the winter.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

18” vs 20” isn’t going to make any difference on winter roads imho. What I did was purchase a set of 18” rims from an FE because I like the style and I’m gonna fit those with dedicated winter tires, solely because the 20’s have all seasons from the factory. This way with 2 sets of rims and tires I don’t need to peel them off and put others on at the end of winter. Dedicated winter tires are made of a softer compound and wear quickly in warm weather. In the spring I don’t have to make an appointment and get charged $100 to swap out. Same again next winter. The two tires you mentioned are great winter tires. I go with blizzaks DM-V2, but the other one I would be interested in would be Michelin ice-x. Also I try to get the narrowest tires (255) available. Narrow tires are superior to wide in 90% of situations especially snow.

 

[crazycruizer]

18” vs 20” isn’t going to make any difference on winter roads imho. What I did was purchase a set of 18” rims from an FE because I like the style and I’m gonna fit those with dedicated winter tires, solely because the 20’s have all seasons from the factory. This way with 2 sets of rims and tires I don’t need to peel them off and put others on at the end of winter. Dedicated winter tires are made of a softer compound and wear quickly in warm weather. In the spring I don’t have to make an appointment and get charged $100 to swap out. Same again next winter. The two tires you mentioned are great winter tires. I go with blizzaks DM-V2, but the other one I would be interested in would be Michelin ice-x. Also I try to get the narrowest tires (255) available. Narrow tires are superior to wide in 90% of situations especially snow.

Good point about the narrower tire. So you’re actually planning to swap the tires yourself? I was thinking about it but not sure if alignment or other work is needed - I’m not a tire expert

 

[rjmh]

I am putting blizzaks DM-V2 on mine of red winter as well. Somewhat ironically X-ice on another car. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the top tier brands. I have also been very happy with continentals on a number of cars and have nokian studs on our van. I went with studs on the van because its heavy and sees a lot of compacted snow and ice and not a lot of bare highway.

If it was me in northern New York with mixed driving, Blizzaks on 18"s would be my choice - lots of sipes for the ice.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Good point about the narrower tire. So you’re actually planning to swap the tires yourself? I was thinking about it but not sure if alignment or other work is needed - I’m not a tire expert

Tire shop mounts them on the rims and balances them. It doesn’t affect alignment. If I hurry up I can swap in under an hour. I make sure I double check lug nuts. Been doing it for 20+ years.

 

[crazycruizer]

Tire shop mounts them on the rims and balances them. It doesn’t affect alignment. If I hurry up I can swap in under an hour. I make sure I double check lug nuts. Been doing it for 20+ years.

Thanks. Yeah I replaced flat tires countless times but not very familiar with checking lug nuts etc. If you have any resources / how tos etc for newbies, would be much appreciated. This LC will stay with me for a while so I’d better learn lol. With great power comes great responsibility right

 

[Don]

If buying wheels do 17". Less than 20" is better for pot holes.

The only reason Toyota is putting 20" wheels is for look some people like. Smaller rims use tires that air down better. Until brakes got bigger a LC type vehicle had 15" wheels.

 

[crazycruizer]

If buying wheels do 17". Less than 20" is better for pot holes.

The only reason Toyota is putting 20" wheels is for look some people like. Smaller rims use tires that air down better. Until brakes got bigger a LC type vehicle had 15" wheels.

Agree, 20in these days seem to be the default for this trim. Definitely going to go smaller

 

[APIOQM]

I'm in the same boat with 20" wheels. I just ordered Michelin X-ice 255/70R18XL with 18" Toyota OEM steel wheels, I think they are from the Tundra. May not be the best look, but will do fine to get me through the winter.

Do you have a part number for the rims you ordered?

 

[toyotadude]

On my Landcruiser w Premium package w 20’s I just picked up 4 alloy 18’s wheels off a 1958 on EBay. Mounting Nokian R5 SUV snow and ice tires 255/70 18 XL’s. They get exceptional reviews, definitely another great option

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Thanks. Yeah I replaced flat tires countless times but not very familiar with checking lug nuts etc.

I just double check to make sure they are all tightened and that I didn’t forget any. Also, on alloy rims it is recommended to retorque after 25 miles. I rarely do this and honestly, I don’t have a torque wrench, I just make sure they are good and tight.

 

[LandcruiserNut]

Don’t forget the eggnog and a good rum/bourbon, for those days when the sniffles hit and you HAVE TO STAY HOME.

 

[crazycruizer]

Right. We do what we HAVE TO DO to stay warm

 

[bluescruiser]

I like a softer ride so I normally get the smallest rims that will fit correctly; I’ll take all the sidewall I can get! My 2018 Tacoma had those TRD 16” wheels and I loved it.

On my ‘02 Sequoia I had 17” FJ cruiser rims and ran Hakkapeliitta winter tires year-round for 4 years and they still looked great when I sold it (I drive less than 10k km/year) with little noticeable wear. We get winter damn near 6 months a year and I’m considering do the same again with the LC

 

[crazycruizer]

That’s very helpful. Curious if you had any particular issue fitting the 16in rims? Maybe a dumb question, but would a much smaller wheel affect the accuracy of the tachometer? how about the mpg?

 

[mkg]

I went and ordered a set of 275/60/20 General Arctics for winter on the stock wheels, and bought a nice set of 18s for Summer. I know the wider tires arent as good as narrow for winter, but there are way more choices in a 275 and also want them filling the wheel well.


BTW, 17" is the smallest you can go, 16s wont fit.

 

[AreJay]

Do you have a part number for the rims you ordered?

Toyota OEM Steel
42601-0C070-SW (Silver)
18x7.5, 25, 95.1, 6x139.7

 

[APIOQM]

Toyota OEM Steel
42601-0C070-SW (Silver)
18x7.5, 25, 95.1, 6x139.7

Nice, that’s what I got as well.

 

[MileHiM5]

Considering the same- dedicated winter wheels and tires- but concerned about tire pressure monitors. I know on my 100 series LC the sensors are inside the wheel, and I assumed it was the same on my 250. While the monitors are a luxury- I can certainly check my own tire pressure- I'd like to maintain the system for any new wheels I buy.

Is anyone adding new sensors when you buy new wheels? What does that look like when your wheel swap takes place going from summer to winter wheel/tire setups? Does it require calibration or does the car automatically pick up the new sensors?

Also, sensor part numbers would be great if you've bought them. Thanks!