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Optimal Tire Size for 20" Wheels on a 4-Cylinder Tacoma

Discussion in 'Street Trucks' started by Hot Taco, Apr 13, 2013.

  1. Apr 13, 2013 at 9:43 AM
    #1
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Note: I know there is a "Wheel & Tire" forum, but it's dominated by people looking for 4x4 wheels and tires, hence I'm posting here in the "Street Truck" forum to hopefully reach the correct audience. ;)

    I'm in the market for new wheels now that I finally got my new truck (2013 2wd regular cab) and I'm trying to decide if I want to go with 19" or 20" wheels. Since the 4 cylinder Tacoma is pretty much a gutless wonder in terms of horsepower, I'm trying to strike the right balance between looks and functionality for daily use.

    While wheel shopping online, the most recommended tire size is a P255/35/20 which leaves very little sidewall protection. I've found quite a few forum posts about people with this size tire reporting bent rims and wishing they had gone with a 40-series tire.

    Many people go with really wide tires which, even with an aspect ratio of 35, gives a decent amount of sidewall protect. However, even though wide tires look cool, they also weigh much more, increase rolling resistance (which means they decrease fuel economy), and they have a tendency to 'drive the vehicle' (I.e., the tires follow ruts in the road). If my truck was a V6 X-Runner, I'd consider wide wheels and tires, but it's not... it's just a slow, underpowered truck.

    After doing some research, a P245/40/20 tire almost seems too good to be true. It's a readily available size tire, it's wide but not too wide, and the only disadvantage I see so far is that it's slightly 'taller' than my OEM tires which means my speedo will be off a little. In theory, this tire size has a 3.9" sidewall height which is a tad more than the 18" tires I had on my last truck.

    For comparison, here's the stock 15" tire compared to the the P245/40/20:

    [​IMG]

    And here's the stock X-Runner P255/45/18 tire compared to the P245/40/20:

    [​IMG]

    Once again, the P245/40/20 is still pretty beefy, but just a little narrower than the X-Runner tire, which I think is OK since my truck is no X-Runner.

    What are your thoughts on a P245/40/20 tire with either an 8.5" or 9" rim? Yeah or ney? If you know of a Tacoma with this wheel size, I'd appreciate some photos of it. :cool:
     
  2. Apr 13, 2013 at 11:14 PM
    #2
    Brendo Ballz808

    Brendo Ballz808 Slammed or lifted.. ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN STOCK

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    245/40/20 sounds perfect I'm running 245/35/20 and I do feel almost everything but I can't go bigger cuz I already run with these tires

    But as for sidewall protection 245/40/20 sounds good I'd say stick with 20s at least u will close a lol wheel gap in the process 20x9 +32 or +20 is perfect
     
  3. Apr 28, 2013 at 8:13 AM
    #3
    Mr.Schertz

    Mr.Schertz Well-Known Member

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    I am stressing out over finding the right rim,tire combo as well. I went into discount tire yesterday and all the rims I liked the guy said would look right. I was looking at 16 in rims with the MB 5x rims and goodyear integrity tires. He test fit one and put it on the truck and it looked like crap!
    I said no thanks,he was trying to cut me a good deal,4 new tires and rims for 1015.00 out the door but If its looks like crap,no thanks.
     
  4. May 2, 2013 at 5:25 PM
    #4
    Headcase

    Headcase Active Member

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    Go with the 245/40/20's. That's my choice also. I haven't decide on rim style. What are you thinking?
     
  5. May 2, 2013 at 5:52 PM
    #5
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, I want to keep my wheel choice a secret until I actually get them :D

    There are quite a few wheels that are new for 2013, so I'm hoping to buy something that not everyone else has. I really like the new trend with "concave" wheels, but I think the offset our trucks don't lend themselves to deep, concave wheels :( (That and few manufacturers offer concave wheels that don't cost an arm-and-a-leg.)

    For the most part, I prefer simple 5-spoke wheels, so that's probably what I'll end-up with. What's kind of driving me nuts is that few wheel companies post the weight of their wheels online (other than TSW). The last I want to do is buy a 20" wheel that weighs 40 lbs.

    I really think 19's are probably a better choice for my super-slow 4-banger truck, but the tire prices are considerably higher. I'm working on getting a notch in my trucks frame, so until I get that and get it lowered, I can keep being indecisive about my wheel selection. ;)

    Here's a sample of a "new for 2013" wheel that I really like but probably won't buy because they are only available in sizes up to 18":

    [​IMG]

    But dang... when I see them on a car, I really like them!!!

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2013
  6. May 2, 2013 at 6:09 PM
    #6
    Headcase

    Headcase Active Member

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    Sounds like you're around the same place I am with mine. I've been looking at notches of differing sizes, shapes and strengths. I've priced out bags with and without DJM hodge podge of components. Most practical is a mixture of djm, a custom notch and XIIPerformance components. Now with XII's upcoming front QA1coilovers and a 3 inch mono leaf getting ready to roll out my mind is seriously trying g to piece a decent setup together and cap it with the 20's, rear wheel disc and an upgraded front disc version. The thing is I only want to do it once due to the limited play money and because I want it done correctly the first time. I've done it piecemeal before and it always ends up costing more
     
  7. May 2, 2013 at 6:16 PM
    #7
    Headcase

    Headcase Active Member

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    I like the rims. They look like they mean business. I like a simple look. Retro something...maybe I'm just old but there's yo much CNC fancy dance rims round everywhere I look. Anyhow, do you know the price on the ones in your picture HotTaco? Just curious is all
     
  8. May 2, 2013 at 6:35 PM
    #8
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The wheels are Enkei Kojins. Depending on the width and offset, it looks like they'd be ~$250 a wheel for 18's.
     
  9. May 2, 2013 at 9:12 PM
    #9
    Brendo Ballz808

    Brendo Ballz808 Slammed or lifted.. ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN STOCK

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    Those looks sick man or you could run them 20x10 stance wheels with a small stretch 255/35/20 hehe maybe one day when money falls from the sky and I get bored of my 18s I'll get some vossens

    Sounds like you got it figured man how much of a drop do you plan on running with your 20s

    If I had money I'd be interested in getting the soon to be produced coilovers but I don't but xii performance mixed with djm seems to be a pretty good match work for me
     
  10. May 3, 2013 at 4:58 PM
    #10
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm pretty sure the dream of having concave wheels like that isn't going to happen, at least not for me. You're right in that in order to get a wheel that looks like the picture, it'd have to be at least 9.5" wide and not have much of an offset. That would mean the wheel and tire would stick-out past the finder, which I don't want. Oh well, they sure are perrrrty.

    Although I'm looking for 19 or 20 inch wheels, I don't want a wide wheel. Width = more weight. Since my truck only produces a whopping 150 hp or so (and that's probably downhill with a tailwind), just putting narrow large wheels on it will be enough of a performance hit. I guess I need to start dreaming more of flat-faced wheels over concave.

    Does anyone know if the 19" Highlander wheels fit on a Tacoma?

    [​IMG]

    I'm trying to imagine that wheel in black on a Tacoma (or any color for that matter.)
     
  11. May 3, 2013 at 5:24 PM
    #11
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Clearly a photo-chop, but they don't look half bad:

    [​IMG]

    Wish I could find a non-photoshopped picture just to confirm the Highlander wheels actually fit.
     
  12. May 16, 2013 at 11:34 AM
    #12
    colby8100

    colby8100 Well-Known Member

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    I'm running 245-40-20 on my first gen taco 3in front drop 4in rear minimal scrubbing
     
  13. May 16, 2013 at 8:10 PM
    #13
    Brendo Ballz808

    Brendo Ballz808 Slammed or lifted.. ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN STOCK

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    I can imagine brah
    245/40/20 on the first gens are a lil big for them fenders
     
  14. May 17, 2013 at 4:32 AM
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    colby8100

    colby8100 Well-Known Member

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    I can't remember exactly but if I recall their 1mm smaller od over factory.
     
  15. May 27, 2013 at 7:11 PM
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    black09

    black09 Well-Known Member

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    im running a 255/35/20 no rubbing yet but about to drop another 1.5 2 on top of my 3 4
     
  16. May 27, 2013 at 9:58 PM
    #16
    Kavik

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    I like my 18s, If they were any bigger, my wallet would spontaneously combust.
     
  17. May 28, 2013 at 1:30 PM
    #17
    black09

    black09 Well-Known Member

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    i feel ya i just replaced 2 tires
     
  18. May 28, 2013 at 6:50 PM
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    colby8100

    colby8100 Well-Known Member

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    I buy 50000 mile tires for my 20s for 170each
     

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