Best 16 x 7 Compromise?

Hey, All,

2011 5-lug Access Cab owner here. I've read for hours (mostly this site) for options to replace the stock steel 15 x 6" pizza cutters with some nice looking, lighter weight alloys. My goal is: 16 x 7" / 235/60-16's or 225/70-16 all seasons with the outside tire edge as close to flush with the sides of the truck as possible. Preferably without using wheel spacers if possible. Not interested in a lift kit. Truck is an automatic, so I don't want to lose any of that aggressive four- banger acceleration by using a tire that is too tall (or too wide).

I have had good success with TireRack, but in order to achieve the goals above, I need around +20 offset (every wheel listed there seems to be in the 38-45 offset range as a minimum).

Has anyone hit on this magic combination, and been happy with the results? I'm open to searching used oem alloy wheels as well, but the same offset issue seem to apply from what I find.

Thanks in advance, Ken

 

I've done the 16x7's with 225/75R16. The aftermarket rims (intended for early 2000's Jeep Liberty/Wrangler) have an offset of +40.

They are tucked in, similar to the +45 of the OEM 15x6's.

In my research, it pretty much confirms your findings - you will either find them in +35 to +45, or in the range of -10. There does not seem to be an 'in between'.

 

Thanks, HackD,

Glad I'm not going crazy. Sounds like some modest 3/4" or 1" thick quality hub-centric spacers are in my future.

One last question: Looks like I'd have maybe 12-15mm of positive scrub radius doing this; is that excessive in terms of handling effects? I would guess 'no', because I won't have much thickness in my spacers, but I can't find a lot of real experience info on scrub radius effects.

 

I really can't say one way or the other whether it'll affect handling, in terms of changed scrub radius. I will likely be finding out myself, in the short term.

I am replacing my tires shortly to 235/85R16. I have a set of 1.5" hub-centric spacers on the side to deal with any wheel-well issues that may crop up. This will bring the effective offset to the equivalent of +2mm - by my eyeball guestimate, flush to the fender side.

 

Interesting. Are you changing your gearing to match the 15% change in revs per mile? I'm hoping I don't see anything negative in mine with 2-5% change in final ratio.

 

I've got a full set of 5 stock jeep wrangler take offs from a JK the gun metal 5 stars limited edition or something I don't know crap about jeeps. No idea if they'll fit or how they would fit a Tacoma, my taco is a six lug I bought the take offs just for BFG MT tires.

They are 17's though and I belive 7.5 wide. If you're interested I can figure out the backspace and offset.

I'll let them go cheep! $20 a wheel.

 

I started off looking for the 16x 7 also, to fit a 225 70 16 with no suspension mods. The early Highlander wheels are only 6.5", but work fine. You've likely seen some pics of those around here on other folks trucks.

I wound up going 235 75 15, but using 'spare' wheels. Not fancy, but I do like them, and the construction of the wheel, while dimensionally the exact same, allowed fitment of the trim rings.

 

Bill,

That's a nice clean look. Are those 6" wide tacoma spares? Did you notice much penalty in acceleration? Ken

 

Yes - 17.9% over OEM tire size - I have a 4.10 ratio differential bench-prepped with a Detroit Trutrac mechanical limited slip, ready to go in with the tire change. It'll be actually a bit over-geared - that tire size calls for 3.91 to correct.

235/60-16's are actually 1.1% smaller - 225/70-16's are 5.6% larger - negligible loss in acceleration relative to your OEM tire size.

 

FYI - tire change done. 235/85R16 on the 16x7's, no spacer used, no rub or suspension interference. Aftermarket wheels have +40 offset.

These are what i have - it's a Canadian company.

http://www.rtxwheels.com/en/wheels/rtxwheels-arsenic-black-machined

 

Nice. I wound up with a set of Focal F20's (16 x 7) with 235/60-16's. I had considered 235/65 for a tad bit of extra height, but it was not a TireRack option. My son and I finished installing them last night (ordered Sunday, delivered Tuesday pm!). Look great, ride great, nothing too radical. 40mm offset.

If I can figure out how to post a photo, I'll put one up today.

 

By the way, this setup is flush to the fender at the rear, and almost there at the front. I measured 45 mm offset on my steelies. Even though the Focals are a cast design, we wound up saving 6.5 lbs per wheel! (51lb with stock steel and 215/70-15 vs. 44.5lb this setup).

 

A few installed photos

 

About the same, relative to the fender lip, as mine. Good choice in an alternative rim.

 

Not positive, but it seems that the upshifts are a little less abrupt (automatic), due to the lighter weight / lower rotational mass. Being within 1% of OEM wheel diameter, no acceleration penalty. This Saturday, catalytic converter is replaced per bulletin. Thinking hard about the LCE street header. (Gives me a chance to share some wrenching activities with my son - this is his first vehicle. I can't get him interested in helping me with my Miata.)

Then I'm done. Maybe...