Hybrid owners with 17” aftermarket wheels - any concerns?

Hey dudes - I put 17” wheels on my truck to fit lighter non-E load tires to keep weight down. But I’ve recently read that some folks are worried that the brake lines and brake calipers are too close to the wheel. On mine the line is about 1-1.5 inches away and the calipers are around 0.5” away. Nobody seems to have reported any real world issues (overheating, contact being made with brake components, debris messing things up). My setup is below:
https://youtu.be/8Jxzjn-pQ9g

 

No one has reported any real world issues? You sure about that? Something seems to be going on for Toyota to issue a safety recall on over 100K 4x4 trucks with 17" wheels. And there has been as least one poster here with a blown line due to mud on a non hybrid. Now I am not sure if there is going to be much difference with the clearance issue between the hybrids and non hybrids, but I am assuming the reason the hybrids are not included on the recall as of now is due to them coming with 18" wheels.

 

It’s a good point and it’s why I’m posting this — but what I understand is that the brake line routes differently on the hybrids so it may be more than just the 18” wheels. Hoping to hear from anyone with a hybrid on this or if anyone knows what’s different about the line routing etc. Thanks.


Do you have a link to the blown line thread? I’d like to see how the line is routed on that truck and how it happened so I can see if I’m in a similar risk situation.

 

That's what I was thinking.

Do 17" wheels clear the hybrid running gear? Toyota puts 18" wheels on for a reason which might have nothing to do with fitment.

Are the hybrid brake lines different or routed differently? There may be more clearance between the inside of the wheel and brake line on hybrids.

 

See post 158 on this thread. It is not the original thread from last year but has lots of photos.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-line-recall.852090/page-8

 

Sorry for the dumb question but what is the running gear

 

Axles, hubs, brakes in this case where the wheels bolt up. I guess you can include the drive train and suspension as well for a more broad definition, if that's even the correct definition for running gear?

The hybrid is supposed to have the axles from the Tundra and the same rear gear set I believe. I think the rotors are also larger 14" vs 13" or what ever the #s are, and maybe there's a difference with the regenerative braking?

 

There seems to be enough clearance for everything from what I can see including the brake line (see photo) but I’m no expert. I’ll need to keep an eye on it.

 

Maybe they put 18” wheels on these for a reason. Clearance is a good thing, so is air flow and the ability to shed rocks and mud.

I’ll be keeping the 18” wheel size on mine.

 

Looks like the line sits lower than the rotor or shield compared to the nonhybrid pictures I have seen but can't see enough to see if the lines is routed differently.

 

You’re not wrong. That’s why I’m a little bit concerned. For the airflow / heat issue I’m less worried because I’m running a wheel / tire combo that is only 75lb which is much lighter than what most people with 18” wheels run. That should keep the brakes cool. But again, I don’t disagree with you at all.

 

I’ve modded a LOT of vehicles over the years. HUGE builds. Many big sponsorships. Blah blah blah.

What I have learned, sometimes the hard way, is that the OEM engineers “usually”, like 95% of the time, have it pretty dialed in.

It’s when guys like us start playing Frankenstein with “better” parts that we discover other issues that we create by changing things. The domino effect if you will. Now I mod with caution and sparingly.

Have fun on your build!

 

OEM Engineers also have to play within the boundaries of certain MPG and COST thresholds with particular parts. Normally factory tires and wheels are cheap economic parts.

 

I am super biased to OEM for those reasons. Always have been. Never wanted to remove the cool TH wheels. These wheels are the most I’ve ever ventured away from OEM. I just could not find semi-aggressive tires that I could put on the truck while keeping down weight. I’ll just have to decide if I should go back to 18”. I just hate added rotational mass and I hate shitty small tires. So far I’m not seeing a problem but as soon as I do I’ll go back.

 

Closest spot - it’s up high but rocks getting in there would suck

 

@TacoRancher That sort of clearance for calipers is more than adequate. Race/rally cars run less clearance all the time. I ran my daily for over 10 years with about 5 millimeters of clearance, driving on a lot of gravel/dirt roads. Yes, a couple small stones evidently got caught in the interference over the years, were crushed in the process, and fell out. nbd

Lot of folks here on the TW forum give Toyota way too much deference. Every decision Toyota makes is for sound engineering reasons? Nah. Cosmetic reasons, cost cutting, ease of assembly during manufacture, those all play huge roles and often are at odds with the otherwise "best solution."

If you like the 17" wheels, run 'em.

 

Great points. I appreciate that. I would add that my ability to run capable tires at OEM total weight probably does more for my truck’s longevity than keeping an extra half inch of clearance from the brake caliper.

 

I’d agree on SOME wheels being cheap but not all. The nicer TRD, Pro and Trailhunter wheels aren’t cheap in my opinion. Try buying them at the dealer lol

 

The TH wheels are super nice. Never selling them. I just told my wife that I need to put them back on, wrapped in 35x11.5 Falkens, for safety reasons.

 

Yes, the safety card is always a solid play!