Second set of wheels for snow tires

Anyone have suggestions for rims that would be good to use in place of the Limited's 18 inches for mounting snow tires on? Any recommendations for snow tires in general?

 

When I was stationed in Colorado and Kansas I had bfg at, falken wild peak and cooper discoverer atr on my 4x4 f150. Although they are all terrain they all performed well in snow and ice. Although they aren't designated snow tires they are snow and ice rated. My .02

 

I used General Altimax which are excellent reviewed by Tire Rack and reasonably priced. If I were going through the trouble of mounting extra winter tires, it would be genuine snow tires and not AT as they are softer rubber which is a lifesaver on ice and hard packed snow.I use 16 inch OEM steel rims which should fit as the OR comes standard with that size. Toyota 6 lug hasn't changed since the dawn of time. A set of them from a salvage yard and Isuzu center caps which fit and your good to go a lot cheaper then from a dealer.

 

Ya if I were to do it if buy new aftermarket rims for summer taco and use limited rims with snow tires for winter taco.

 

Bridgestone blizzak are supposed to be the best though

 

I like the 16 inch for winter for several reasons. The tires will be A LOT cheaper. They won't handle as well but you will be happy when you hit a pot hole with the extra side wall to protect you vs 18 inch expensive alloys and they ride much better. And lastly, there are a gazillion out there used in great condition. Mine came off a previous gen tundra, I ran them for ten years on my 04 4 Runner and they are now the winter rims on my 2015 Taco OR. Toyota rims 6 lug are one size fits all. 17s 6 lug Toyota are fine too. I just prefer the smaller 16 for winter.

 

A number of years ago I got through a New York winter with Blizzaks on an Acura NSX! They are really good.

 

One thing to think about is the TPMS system and sensors. Supposedly they are not interchangeable between steel and alloy rims, and if you want to keep the system operational an extra set for the correct rims that can be cloned might be the way to go.
Make sure your tire shop has the tools and knowledge to handle this.
Toyota also uses both acorn and mag style lug nuts, and once again they are not interchangeable.

Good luck

 

Good point. Our state inspection does not require operational TPMS systems so on they go for winter without them. So, check yours. The summer tires then come back on in the spring with them. Winter salt is hard on this systems. Some tire shops will try to sell you them even if the state doesn't require them...I live with the light on for a few months. If the state inspection does require them, you are SOL....and need them on all wheels. But, some northern states get that winter tires are more important then requiring the sensors which may prevent many from getting them.

 

Our state requires working tpms for the annual inspection sticker. My winter wheel set has no sensors but I worked my inspection date for June so my sensors will be back on.
My winters tires are Blizzaks & am happy with their snow & ice performance. This will be my 4th season.

 

Smooth move....I like it .

 

Here you can see if your state requires it for inspection: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=214

 

I use an old set of FJ 17" alloys in winter. They fit nice and have a comparable offset to the stockers being ever so slightly pushed out. I mounted some Toyo GSI5's on 'em. There are pics in my media folders.

 

General Altimax on 16 oe steel wheels. I am in Canada and winter can be harsh on wheels. I like the steel wheels over alloys in case of pot holes.

 

Nokia Hakkapelittas are popular here in Vermont. I search for a set of stock alloy rims on ebay. Steel rims get rusty after a few seasons. I get an alloy rim for the spare also.

 

Wow, thank you everyone for the responses. It looks like I have a lot to consider.

 

16" steel rims and a set of Cooper Discovery M/S. Great winter tire and much cheaper than the Blizzak

 

The rims that everyone is mentioning, are these Toyota rims, or just whatever fits? Also, does anyone just swap the tires on your main rims?

 

Only downside to not having a seperate set of rims is having to pay twice a year to have the winter/summer tires remounted. Around here its $80+ to have that done, so if you can find a set of rims for $100-$200, they will pay for them self after a year or 2 and then you'll be saving hundreds.

I'm planning on having winter tires installed on my stock rims and then once winter is over getting a set of after market rims to have my summer tires mounted on.

I will either put up with winter tires throwing the pressure warning by not having the TPMS coded, or buying one of those $150 units on Amazon that allow you to program your ECU to have 2 sets of tires on your TMPS system. I check my pressure often, so I'm not too over concerned with not having the system functioning during winter. Will depend on how annoying the error light is to me.

 

17" FJ steelies with Duratracs, in my case....when the white stuff gets deep.