First post is a beat to death tire question.

Hello from a first time poster. I just got my first taco last week. Its a 2009 4 Door 4X4 TRD Sport. Currently it has 265/65/17 Dunlop Grandtrek tires(bald) on it and im going be getting some new tires in the next few weeks. Ive read all the post talking about the biggest tire, the best tire, etc. Now that im ready to start shopping i want to make sure of a few things. Sticking with everything i have now(Stock 2009 TRD Sport) the largest tires i could run without rub or having to do any major mod is a 265/70/17? Another question would i be better to stick with a 17" rim or drop down to a 16", ive read alot of post about more rubber than rim being better, why is this? Also being a sport model, will i have any problems running an offroad/all terrain tire? Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

Yes you can fit the 265/70/17 no problem, or 265/75/16 if you downsize to a 16" rim.

I'm not really sure what you mean by "will I have any problems running an AT tire on a sport"?

 

Well i was looking at getting some more aggressive tires(looking at duratracs, kelly safari tsrs, or a kumho road venture m/t) as opposed to the milder all season dunlops im running now. While i expect to loose the smooth ride and develop some road noise are there any other issues i may encounter with a mud/off road tire.

 

You can run an AT tire, It will potentially ride a little rougher is all, depending on the tire you pick.

 

Thanks for the quick replies.

 

More sidewall typically provides a cushier ride. Then again on road it won't corner quite as well but in a truck it shouldn't really matter. It will also air down better off road.

Tires for a 16 are typically cheaper as well. I'd just stay with stock wheels unless you want something else though.

No issues with whatever tire you want to run. 265s should be perfect

 

You are right about the maximum tire size for your setup. Go with the 16" rim if you can, just because more sidewall is not only better for a "cushier" ride, but it adds an extra inch between the side of your rim and the rocks when you're off road. Think about it: if you're spinning in a rut with rocks on each side, which wheel setup is gonna catch the rocks first?

My buddy just upsized from 16" to 17" rims (we drive 1st gens) and after one wheel his pretty little streetlocks have definitely gained some "character." We did air down, though.

But hey - in the end, who gives a friggin frig?

 

If you switch to 16s just be aware that some brands and models of 16s do not clear the Tacoma brake calipers.

 

You only gain 1/2" of clearance between the ground and the bottom of the rim going from 17" to 16" rims (assuming overall diameter stays the same). You are correct though, 17's will hit the rocks before 16's.