Question re: SR5 package on a new truck

I am trying to weigh my options towards the purchase of a new Tacoma sometime this Fall. Noticed that the SR5 package can either be had with 15" wheels or 16" alloy P245/75R/16 for about $400 more.

Am leaning towards the Access Cab, 4x4, Auto with the 4 cylinder engine but am not firm on this yet. I should also add I am not interested in future modifications to my wheel or tire size.

Is there a compelling reason to add 16" wheels to the SR5 package?

Thanks

 

the smaller the rim the cheaper the tires...

 

Tires selection might be better for 16s? 16 inch rim is pretty common on half ton trucks also.

 

16" stock wheel looks better than the 15"

 

Prerunner and 4x4 are 16" standard. The $400 upgrade is for alloys vs steel.
The tire would be the same 245/75-16

TRD offroad, sport, and Limited is 265/70-16, 265/65-17, or 265/65-18 depending on the option package.

15" wheels are only available on the 2WD 5-Lug.
I don't think there is an alloy option for the 5-lug other than the X-Runner (18 inch)

 

Ah....that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.
Now I just have to decide if alloy wheels are worth the $400 upgrade.

 

I'm looking at a DCab, V6 Auto 2X4 prerunner myself. My understanding is the SR5 comes with 16" Styled Steel wheels w/ P245/75R16s. The upgrade AL option includes the aluminum wheels which are also 16" (with P265/70R16s?).

In my area it seems all but impossible to find an SR5 with AL wheels. 2013 selection will only be dwindling further as fall approaches. 2014s might be a different story.

SR5 is a good package - arguably best bang for buck IMHO. I would also suggest considering the Tow (TO) package on whatever you get.

 

You can't get a 15" wheel on a 4x4 or a prerunner. They come stock with 16" styled steel wheels. The 15" wheels only come on the 5 lug 4x2 Tacomas which sit significantly lower than the 4x4s and Prerunners.

Your options on a 4x4 or Preunner are 16" steel or aluminum unless you get a TRD Sport which has 17" aluminum wheels. X-Runners/Limited have 18" wheels.

 

Can one get the tow package on a 4 cylinder, 4x4, Auto, SR5, access cab? I was under the impression this was only an option on the V6 models.

 

Only an option on V6 for PreRunner models.

Dunno if 4x4 changes that. Also SR5 alloys are 245s not 265s.

 

You can but it will be a dealer installed version and won't come with a tranny cooler and other stuff the factory tow comes with. I saw it on a truck similar to what you're looking to buy and it actually looked nice, but you could tell the difference.

 

A factory tow package on most any vehicle such as the Tacoma has value because the factory installs other things such as additional transmission cooling (if w/ an auto), heavier duty electrics, factory wiring for trailer lights and sway upgrade. Anybody can install a hitch - it's the other stuff that makes a factory tow pack on most any make of truck or SUV worth it.

 

Ya, just went through the "build your own" and the tow package is not available on any of the 2.7 models.

The hitch is not a big deal, but the tow package also includes a 7-pin connector, provision for electric trailer brakes, trans cooler, and engine oil cooler.
The 7-pin connector and trailer brakes are not as easy to retrofit as the basic 4-pin connector (basic hitch and 4-pin is an hour job if you do it yourself, 20 minutes with a helper to hold the bumper).

Trans cooler is not a big deal... easy enough to install.
The OEM engine oil cooler can not be retrofit to the 2.7, and the exhaust heat shield surrounding the filter would block any aftermarket cooler fittings that I am aware of... though you could fit an aftermarket filter relocation kit and plumb a cooler into that system.