My TRD FJ is pending and when I receive it, I'm planning to throw on some rims. Prior to purchasing the rims, and since I'll be new w/ the FJ, I wanted to ask all the experienced people on this forum , what is the MAIN DIFFERENCE if I were to purchase either LARGE RIMS w/ thin tires or SMALL RIMS w/ large thick tires?
Also, does it have any affect w/ the mileage of the vehicle? Thanks.
My TRD FJ is pending and when I receive it, I'm planning to throw on some rims. Prior to purchasing the rims, and since I'll be new w/ the FJ, I wanted to ask all the experienced people on this forum , what is the MAIN DIFFERENCE if I were to purchase either LARGE RIMS w/ thin tires or SMALL RIMS w/ large thick tires?
Also, does it have any affect w/ the mileage of the vehicle? Thanks.
Oversized rims with low profile tires are a stylized wheel choice that has little or no functional utility for an offroad vehicle. For high performance road cars, there may be advantage in high speed cornering and drag race starts, but I have no experience to confirm or deny this, or to comment on how "high performance" a vehicle needs to be in order for this to be of help.
For an offroad vehicle, in most cases it is advantageous to have the largest diameter tire possible, with a generous tread width and as big a sidewall as possible. Offroad tires are "aired down" to low pressures in order to create a large contact surface with the ground in order to increase traction. Tall, convex sidewalls with extra plys are protection against rocks and are extra grip surface when going over large obstacles. Many people take the stock 17" rim that comes on the FJ and replace it with 16's in order to increase the amount of sidewall. This is what I did too.
My TRD FJ is pending and when I receive it, I'm planning to throw on some rims. Prior to purchasing the rims, and since I'll be new w/ the FJ, I wanted to ask all the experienced people on this forum , what is the MAIN DIFFERENCE if I were to purchase either LARGE RIMS w/ thin tires or SMALL RIMS w/ large thick tires?
Also, does it have any affect w/ the mileage of the vehicle? Thanks.
As already mentioned in this thread, for off-road you want the smallest diameter rim you can get matched with a tire for the largest amount of sidewall. The TRD seems to be an issue when replacing rims. I too own a TRD and cannot find 16", or 17" rims that will match up without hitting the large calipers. I was told an 18" would fit but refused to try as that is simply to large for what I use my TRD for.
The type of rim you purchase matters as well depending on what you want to use your FJ for. Steel wheels are your best bet for off-road, however, Pro Comp's Extreme Alloys will hold up well in tough conditions. To date there is no Pro Comp Extreme Alloy rim under 18" I have found that will fit the TRD. I hope to try the Series 87/97 steel rims soon to see if they will fit. Till then, I will be running the stock rims for a while.
Good luck, let us know how you make out.
__________________
-stoney (Dave)
TRD, SE - Modified
The FJ is not a Mall Crawler, plastic is replaceable, scratches buff out...
As already mentioned in this thread, for off-road you want the smallest diameter rim you can get matched with a tire for the largest amount of sidewall. The TRD seems to be an issue when replacing rims. I too own a TRD and cannot find 16", or 17" rims that will match up without hitting the large calipers. I was told an 18" would fit but refused to try as that is simply to large for what I use my TRD for.
The type of rim you purchase matters as well depending on what you want to use your FJ for. Steel wheels are your best bet for off-road, however, Pro Comp's Extreme Alloys will hold up well in tough conditions. To date there is no Pro Comp Extreme Alloy rim under 18" I have found that will fit the TRD. I hope to try the Series 87/97 steel rims soon to see if they will fit. Till then, I will be running the stock rims for a while.
Good luck, let us know how you make out.
There are at least 4 other threads I've contributed to that are on this topic and at least 2 that I've just let go. This is a hot topic on many people's minds!
Short version:
The diameter of the BRAKE ROTOR and the size of the BRAKE CALIPER (on the front wheel hub) are two separate issues that need to be accounted for.
With regard to the brake rotor, some (but NOT ALL) 16" rims will fit around it. If the thickness of the metal wall of the rim is substantial, then it can interfere on the outside edge of the rotor for a non-fit.
With regard to the brake caliper, IT'S REALLY BIG!! It sticks out laterally past the mounting plane where the wheel physically bolts on. This means that the rim has to arch around the caliper. Some rims have flat backs. This can't work.
Rock Crawler series 87 and 97 are NOT interchangeable. The 97's have the same look from the STREET side, but the back is critically different! The holes that are punched into the metal have rim edges that are folded inward. These will hit the calipers!!!! The 87's do not have this, and they will fit. My understanding is that the 87 is now a discontinued line, and is obtained by special order from one or more vendors. I got mine mail order. They fit fine.
Unless the "TRD" version has a different brake system than other FJ's, then this should be accurate info.
There are at least 4 other threads I've contributed to that are on this topic and at least 2 that I've just let go. This is a hot topic on many people's minds!
Excellent info, thanks. I was told by both 4wheelparts.com and Wheel Pros that earlier model FJ's had smaller calipers than the later models and all TRD's have larger calipers. I cannot tell you the run around I got with this issue with many many phone calls. I finally purchased the tires I wanted and was holding out for something to be manufactured.
I will see if I can get a local company to get a set of 87's to try.
__________________
-stoney (Dave)
TRD, SE - Modified
The FJ is not a Mall Crawler, plastic is replaceable, scratches buff out...
Excellent info, thanks. I was told by both 4wheelparts.com and Wheel Pros that earlier model FJ's had smaller calipers than the later models and all TRD's have larger calipers. I cannot tell you the run around I got with this issue with many many phone calls. I finally purchased the tires I wanted and was holding out for something to be manufactured.
I will see if I can get a local company to get a set of 87's to try.
Linear Mode
