SR5 Steel Wheels vs TRD Alloy Wheels

My 2014 SR5 DCSB 4x4 has the 16" stock steel wheels and 245/75R16 Dunlop AT20s. I'm considering putting on some all-terrain tires, but have some wheel questions first.

Other than the aesthetics, what advantages do you get with the alloy wheels? I understand they are lighter and will offset some of the extra weight from larger tires, but how much difference are we talking between my 245/75R16 and the 265/70R16 tire size on the TRD Offroad?

Most of my driving is city/highway, but I plan to do some rough-terrain camping trips. Will the steel wheels be more durable? Can I put 265/70R16 tires on the stock SR5 steel wheels?

 

Bump

 

I did not read through this thread, but you may find your answers there...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/30754-wheel-specs.html

 

You can put 265/70 on the stock tires. The tires are smaller for better fuel economy.

 

I bought a set of Ultra Maverick wheels (http://www.ultrawheel.com/ultra-wheel.cfm?id=49&cat=1140) to replace the stock steel wheels on my 2013 Tacoma.

The Ultra wheels were much lighter then the stock steels by feel I didn't have a scale handy to weigh them. I kept the OEM tires but I haven't noticed much difference in the ride or handling of the truck. I just hated the look of the steel wheels.

 

Keep the steelies.

The only advantage with a alloy is weight and if your comparing a OE Toyota steelie to a OE Toyota alloy it's only 3# difference.

I had alloys and took them off for steelies. Aluminum is crap for wheels. First curb or rock you hit hard they will crack or blow apart. With steel you simply pound it back if it bends.

The steelies also offer far superior protection of the valve stem and hubcaps due to the spokes protruding so far from the hub to the rim.

I would never rock a lightweight aluminum wheel on a truck that I abuse.

 

I guess all those Baja Trophy Truck guys are complete idiots for using forged aluminum wheels on their rigs. First hard landing they have, on a rock, is going to destroy their wheel. I can't imagine how any of them manage to finish a race....



And those extreme rock crawler dudes also use aluminum wheels, they must baby those things to get the over the obstacles....

 

"SR5 Steel Wheels vs TRD Alloy Wheels" (the title of the thread) has nothing to do with bead locks on truggies or trophy truck wheels that cost as much as my trucks worth for a set. Heck neither are even street legal so lets not compare OP's need or my recommended wheel set to 100k+ rigs. It's an apples to water mellon comparison.

Between OE aluminum or OE steel OP asked "Will the steel wheels be more durable?"

I'm simply stating for our applications and options (mine are the same as OP's) steel is the better choice of the two.

I currently own 13 wheels for my Tacoma 5 of which are 17" aluminum Tacoma sport wheels I put over 60k on my truck with. Another 5 are 16" steel OE Toyota wheels I have 24k on. (3 spares)

Smack a curb sideways in the snow doing 10mph and I can personally tell you what happens to a aluminum wheel. The bead cracks off and the tire instantly deflates. The wheel is now usually useless unless you cracked off less than 8" of bead and if it is less you may find a shop that will repair it - more and you should just scrap it for the weight. I scrapped mine.

Smack a curb in the snow doing 10mph and I can personally tell you what happens to a steel SR5 wheel. Nothing but a superficial gouge and slight bending. No loss of air. No cracked wheel. No going out of balance. No time spent changing tires. No money spent buying a new wheel. No down time.



and yes I smack me some curbs hardcore drifting at the mall

 

I have the 16" steelies on my 14' SR5. I recently picked up a set of the 16" off-road rims from a friend as I think they look quite a bit better.

 

my thoughts exactly.

aluminum can be composed to have strength that rivals any steel wheel. they designed wheels to hold the weight of a vehicle and forces of high speed rotation, it'll hold up just fine.

 

At what cost...Forged Wheels ain't exactly cheap

Anyhow...as for what the OP asked...I believe the steel wheels will be more durable...if anything they should be definitely cheaper to replace

 

I paid $12.50 per wheel for mine.