Trade 20" for 18" in Tennessee or nearby?

[BigMF]

All, I'll be (hopefully) getting my LC in July. It's coming with the 20" wheels. I'd prefer the 18's. If anyone is interested in swapping, let me know. I'm in the Nashville area but I'm willing to meet in a Walmart parking lot halfway between our homes if necessary.

 

[BoredomFestival]

Ignorant question: how much of a difference does the wheel size really make (assuming you don't have a preference for the looks of a larger or smaller size)? Trying to figure out whether or not wheel size might be a deal breaker for me or not if I find a vehicle available that otherwise matches what I want...

 

[Trailman]

17" or 18" wheels will have a bit of a smoother ride and are preferable if you ever want to air down your tires for sand or going off road where you need more grip. Doesn't mean you can't do it with the 20" rims though. The smaller rims will protect the rim better in case you hit a curb or other object in the road. I think TFL on Youtube just did a recent video discussing why they think off road vehicles make the best on road vehicles due to their better suspension and that they typically come with smaller wheels and more sidewall.

For most people, the 20" rims will be just fine but if you do intend to take the vehicle off road, the 18's would be my choice. It's one of the reasons I chose the First Edition. Most of the Trail Dust LC with Premium package come with 20" wheels. I didn't want to have to swap wheels and headlights and end up paying something similar to the LC LC with Premium package after all was said and done. I really like the heritage lights and wanted the Trail Dust color so I was one of the cases where the First Edition was probably priced in line with what I would need to pay to get it setup the way I wanted.

 

[Uncle_Spike]

All, I'll be (hopefully) getting my LC in July. It's coming with the 20" wheels. I'd prefer the 18's. If anyone is interested in swapping, let me know. I'm in the Nashville area but I'm willing to meet in a Walmart parking lot halfway between our homes if necessary.

Not going to swap but I'm in the Nashville area and likely pulling them off immediately to sell if my FE ever comes off QC hold, its sitting in train yard a few hours north of me now.

 

[EOD Guy]

IMO, unless you are planning on hardcore off-roading involving rock crawling, there is a very small difference in benefit between the 18 and 20 inch wheels. Tire selection is more important than rim size.

Airing down 20's for sand shouldn't be an issue. Airing down increases the contact patch with the ground, which provides more traction in sand. It also allows greater flex in the sidewall which is great for molding to the curvatures of rocks, again allowing greater traction.

With the 18" you have a greater sidewall area in which to flex for rock crawling and will also allow for traction in sand. And the meatier tire (sidewall size) is cooler looking for a 4x4, IMO.

With the 20" you still get the flex but not as great as the 18 etc...... but the contact patch would be very close to the 18" for traction in sand.

Bottom line unless you're planning on hardcore off-roading (not rutted roads or rocky trails) it boils down to personal preferences, do you like the look.

 

[seanasmith41]

IMO, unless you are planning on hardcore off-roading involving rock crawling, there is a very small difference in benefit between the 18 and 20 inch wheels. Tire selection is more important than rim size.

Airing down 20's for sand shouldn't be an issue. Airing down increases the contact patch with the ground, which provides more traction in sand. It also allows greater flex in the sidewall which is great for molding to the curvatures of rocks, again allowing greater traction.

With the 18" you have a greater sidewall area in which to flex for rock crawling and will also allow for traction in sand. And the meatier tire (sidewall size) is cooler looking for a 4x4, IMO.

With the 20" you still get the flex but not as great as the 18 etc...... but the contact patch would be very close to the 18" for traction in sand.

Bottom line unless you're planning on hardcore off-roading (not rutted roads or rocky trails) it boils down to personal preferences, do you like the look.

Know anything about the BFG trail terrain ta tires? Was thinking this might be a good light off road tire but better on road ride.

 

[seanasmith41]

IMO, unless you are planning on hardcore off-roading involving rock crawling, there is a very small difference in benefit between the 18 and 20 inch wheels. Tire selection is more important than rim size.

Airing down 20's for sand shouldn't be an issue. Airing down increases the contact patch with the ground, which provides more traction in sand. It also allows greater flex in the sidewall which is great for molding to the curvatures of rocks, again allowing greater traction.

With the 18" you have a greater sidewall area in which to flex for rock crawling and will also allow for traction in sand. And the meatier tire (sidewall size) is cooler looking for a 4x4, IMO.

With the 20" you still get the flex but not as great as the 18 etc...... but the contact patch would be very close to the 18" for traction in sand.

Bottom line unless you're planning on hardcore off-roading (not rutted roads or rocky trails) it boils down to personal preferences, do you like the look.

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[EOD Guy]

Know anything about the BFG trail terrain ta tires? Was thinking this might be a good light off road tire but better on road ride.

Not that particular tire, I run BFG KO2's, Most excellent tire IMO. Very low road noise, as quite as stock tires. Great aired down in sand, haven't really tried in the rocks. Mine seem to be wearing really well 25K + miles. One drawback.... they weigh a lot, so I get them balanced every year.

 

[BoredomFestival]

IMO, unless you are planning on hardcore off-roading involving rock crawling, there is a very small difference in benefit between the 18 and 20 inch wheels. Tire selection is more important than rim size.

Airing down 20's for sand shouldn't be an issue. Airing down increases the contact patch with the ground, which provides more traction in sand. It also allows greater flex in the sidewall which is great for molding to the curvatures of rocks, again allowing greater traction.

With the 18" you have a greater sidewall area in which to flex for rock crawling and will also allow for traction in sand. And the meatier tire (sidewall size) is cooler looking for a 4x4, IMO.

With the 20" you still get the flex but not as great as the 18 etc...... but the contact patch would be very close to the 18" for traction in sand.

Bottom line unless you're planning on hardcore off-roading (not rutted roads or rocky trails) it boils down to personal preferences, do you like the look.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll never take it "true" offroading, just on terrible roads; sounds like your view is that it wouldn't matter much in terms of ride etc. for my purposes. (My takeaway from this is that I'd prefer not to spend the extra $$$ on the 20" tires because I don't care about the appearance, but I could live with it if necessary.)

 

[seanasmith41]

Not that particular tire, I run BFG KO2's, Most excellent tire IMO. Very low road noise, as quite as stock tires. Great aired down in sand, haven't really tried in the rocks. Mine seem to be wearing really well 25K + miles. One drawback.... they weigh a lot, so I get them balanced every year.

I was going to do k02’s. But I was doing some reading and for what my wife will use if for will be primarily on road. Occasional dirt/gravel and farm fields, I thought something lighter duty might be a better fit. Hell, it’s hard to decide.

 

[EOD Guy]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll never take it "true" offroading, just on terrible roads; sounds like your view is that it wouldn't matter much in terms of ride etc. for my purposes. (My takeaway from this is that I'd prefer not to spend the extra $$$ on the 20" tires because I don't care about the appearance, but I could live with it if necessary.)

For you, I'd just run what came on it and when the time comes for a new set, make your decision then.

The 18" may be a smoother ride but I doubt anyone could actually tell the difference. Some will probably chime in with just the opposite, but having vehicles with 15", 16" 17" and 18" I really can't tell the difference, tho" they are on different vehicles.

 

[EOD Guy]

I was going to do k02’s. But I was doing some reading and for what my wife will use if for will be primarily on road. Occasional dirt/gravel and farm fields, I thought something lighter duty might be a better fit. Hell, it’s hard to decide.

So my decision was based on pure aesthetics, I wanted a beefier tire for the method 305's I put on the Taco. I went with 33's because they filled up the wheel well nicely. I went wider for the same reason.

For the LC/FE I plan on KO2's but more of a stock width and slightly taller. I plan, at least initially, to put on the Tacoma Limited stocks wheels. Mine is black so maybe a splash of chrome will look good.

New Tires/wheels

 

[NoMe cruiser]

All good points mentioned by fellow members. The one thing I would add is that 20” rims probably handle better on the road because of less tire and flex. You may feel every crack more but it will be more responsive in the corners.

 

[BigMF]

I do like the look of those Methods @EOD Guy ! If I can't find someone to swap with, I might go with those or the Method 316's:

I'm getting Meteor Shower and thinking the Titanium MIGHT look good with it. I know a lot of folks like the black rims but I think they just kind of "disappear" when wrapped in tire. A lot of folks like the bronze ones like you have on the Taco. They do look sharp but I'm a little concerned they may not stand the test of time from an "appeal" point of view. I just wish some made some that were Meteor Shower colored that changed depending on the way the sun was bouncing on it like Meteor Shower.....sometimes silver, sometimes gold. That's why I'm thinking Titanium/Charcoal/Gun Metal might be nice, kind of muted with a small pop of color to define the wheel versus the tire.

It kinda looks like the "bolts" around the rim are kind of gold colored on the 305's so that might be a good compromise for Meteor Shower.

 

[EOD Guy]

The 305 NVs, the beadlock ring is fake, it's part of the wheel and the bolts come in several colors so easy to change out for a different look later on.

With the MS color, I think the Titanium wheel w/black ring and Titanium bolts would look sharp. Or the Black wheel with a Titanium ring and black bolts would look good as well.

I did not like the tall center caps, they just stick out too far for me. They are actually two pieces and I machined new super low profile caps for the Taco.

 

[Broken VW Owner]

Mine will have the 20-in wheels but if driving mostly on road on windy, bumpy, pot-holed-infested roads in New-England with BRUTAL granite curbs will I notice any major difference with 18's? Could buy a set of 18's for snow tires.

 

[BigMF]

My personal opinion? Probably not unless you are also one of those people that can tell the difference between a $3,000 set of golf clubs and a $100 set of clubs.

 

[Broken VW Owner]

My personal opinion? Probably not unless you are also one of those people that can tell the difference between a $3,000 set of golf clubs and a $100 set of clubs.

 

[BigMF]

Both. I know that there are people that are true experts on things and can tell the difference and take advantage of something like a $3,000 set of golf clubs or afficiandos that able to discern and enjoy the difference in a $400 bottle of bourbon. I'm not one of those people when it comes to the differences between a 20" and 18" wheel while driving on streets. However, when off road, while not an expert, I do feel more comfortable (mentally) with a little more sidewall and the ability it gives you for dropping the air pressure a bit more.

 

[EOD Guy]

Mine will have the 20-in wheels but if driving mostly on road on windy, bumpy, pot-holed-infested roads in New-England with BRUTAL granite curbs will I notice any major difference with 18's? Could buy a set of 18's for snow tires.

Not unless you plan on taking corners at 70+ MPH. With the 20's you'll have a shorter sidewall which will make it stiffer and not flex as much, great for cornering at high speeds.

As far as taller sidewall on the 18's taking bumps better..... at normal air pressure, I doubt very few people on the planet could tell the difference as your suspension will absorb those bumps. At low air pressure, that's a whole different story.

Avoiding curb rash with the 18's........ well probably but buying a expensive set of wheels just to off-set that............ your money, your vision.