Wheel Talk: Function vs. Fashion

Hey ya'll! New member here. I've been a lurker of the forum over the past year or so, but never made myself an account. But here I am, looking to garner some opinions regarding wheel choices for a white 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road Prerunner.



For a little background, I currently have 265/75r16 BFG KO2s all around as well as the OEM TRD front skid plate. Beyond this, the truck is bone stock. I do have a Bilstein 6112 & 5160 suspension kit on the way though.

Although I do not wheel the truck often (maybe once or twice a month for a day trip/ desert camping trip), I do find myself primarily participating in a faster style of off-roading in the sand washes, smaller dunes, and trails of Ocotillo Wells and the general area.

Because the truck is 2WD (albeit with a rear-locker), I am very conscious about my tire pressure when driving through the soft sand washes and small dunes of Ocotillo (I usually run 12 psi all around in these conditions). I am looking to gain more capability in these soft sand conditions by being able to run even lower tire pressures without the fear of de-beading.

With all of that info out of the way, I am torn between purchasing a set of Method 703 Bead Grip wheels in Gloss Titanium and a set of Raceline 958MC Roguesin Machined-Aluminum (w/ standard bead capabilities).

Although ideally I would want to purchase a set of the machined-aluminum finished Method 703 Bead Grip wheels, they only offer them in a 17" diameterand I do not want to have to buy new tires at this time. With this, my only option is the 16" Method 703 in a gloss titanium finish. Subsequently, I would be prioritizing the bead grip capabilities of the Method 703 (i.e., having the ability to comfortably air-down to 8 PSI and even below) and sacrificing the timeless look of the machined-finished Raceline wheels. I would also most likely purchase a set of the Method 703 in a machined finish upon needing a set of new tires (resulting in a more significant financial loss overall). [Wheels are shown below:]





I am absolutely in love with the look of Raceline 958MC Rogue in the machined-aluminum finish though. I would ideally purchase this design due to its perfect size and look, but I am sacrificing the functionality of having a bead grip tire (and subsequently I would only be able to run 10 PSI minimum safely and with slight fear of de-beading the tire). [Shown below:]





With all these considerations, what do ya'll think? Method 703 Bead Grip in Gloss Titanium or Raceline 958MC Rogue in Machined Aluminum?Thanks for sharing

 

Add a pole to your post if you want to really gauge popular opinion

 

Good idea, thanks Billy

 

I prefer the Raceline pictured could be because it's an 8 lug wheel. Sporty truck wheels look cooler in 8 lug to me. I also like the machine finish the Method also looks good.

I like a nice JDM AM wheel on a Toyota, but those get pricey. There's SCS, and FN Wheels those are solid choices. MODCOs look good those might all be 17". I'd probably go OEM based on how you describe your truck, and those can be had in 16" TRD beadlocks or Pro/Trail wheels.

 

I have definitely previously considered a more JDM or even rally-style look with the EVO Corse Dakar Zero Wheels (pictured below), but my main gripe with the Method 703 is that I cannot get the machined finish in a 16inch wheel. I want to stay at a 16 inch wheel while also having the timeless prerunner-like look of the machined aluminum finish. I really do enjoy the look of the SCS and FN wheels though. Thanks for contributing!

 

I looked at the EVO Corse wheels, fkn heavy though.

@mambojohn have you seen these, https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/rebound-pro/

 

Very interesting, never seen those before. Do they come with bead reinforcement on the inner wheel well too?

 

https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/rebound-pro/ Scroll for all the info

 

Cool design, I do prefer Method’s Bead Grip though. I believe they have teeth-style bead reinforcements on both side of the wheel.

https://www.methodracewheels.com/pages/bead-grip

 

Do you get stuck a lot at 12psi?

Would 8psi really make that much difference?

 

It makes a huge difference if you want to unbead the tire. A rule of thumb is no lower than 12psi for non-beadlock wheels.

• Sand or Loose Gravel: Aim for 12-15 psi to increase your tire’s footprint and prevent the vehicle from sinking or slipping.
• Rocky Terrains: A pressure of 15-20 psi can help your tires wrap around rocks and avoid punctures.
• Mud: Depending on the mud's depth and stickiness, anywhere from 15-20 psi can help avoid getting stuck.
• Snow: Similar to sand, 12-15 psi can help your vehicle 'float' on top of snow.

 

That I understand.

What I was asking is if the difference from 12 down to 8 mattered that much. IE meaning recovery would be so improved it was worth buying beadlock wheels.

 

No, I have never gotten stuck while at 12psi. Being able to air down to 6-8 PSI in the rear tires would give me a lot more confidence going up the larger dunes in Ocotillo Wells like Blowsand Hill (pictured below). I am wondering if the 4-6 PSI difference would make a realistic difference though

 

I really thought you'd get more votes!

 

All I know is that in all my off roading around Fl as a cross country land surveyor, back in 19 none of your business, I'd have never attempted something like pictured in 2wd in that kind of vehicle (maybe a dune buggy).

And I was the guy that won lunches from engineers betting I could drive further in 2wd than they could in 4wd before getting stuck, in all kinds of terrain.

But if you want to air down more, beadlocks are your answer, not fashion.

Anecdotal, but similar. Drag racing in a stock class in the same era allowed 7" 'cheater slicks' to be used. At 12psi we drilled 6 small holes in the edges of the wheels and screwed small sheet metal screws into the bead of the slick to keep them from moving on the wheel. One evening someone wanting to challenge everyone with his new (literally) 440 six pack asked what pressure we were running. He said he was airing down to 12 as well.

I told him not to as his tires were not secured to the wheel. He did anyway, broke bead on *both* tires and walked them halfway off the wheels before the 60' mark. It was a miracle he didn't put it in the wall.

Point is. Pressure helps secure. Really low pressure needs additional security.

 

Haha no worries, just trying to push the thread to the top to get more engagement. We tried

 

Great anecdote to get your point across haha. I definitely agree that function should 100% be prioritized over fashion. With that, do you think it would be more worth it to invest in true beadlocks or Method’s bead grip wheels?

I have seen a few 2WD “stock” trucks go up Blowsand Hill (the one pictured above) as well as some 4WD Tacomas. I haven’t had the balls to give it a go myself just yet though haha. I’ll link a couple of the videos of “stock” trucks going up the hill that I have found below.

https://youtu.be/Nz_tQ3HJ_uI?si=65WO46lwuoma6tp4

https://youtu.be/GEQc0vvKKFo?si=LN-lL2mg5CQBe5Ek