2002 PreRunner Wheel Size

I just bought my first Tacoma - a 1st gen double cab PreRunner. I'm replacing the tires and I realized what's on the door sticker and every shop's tire lookup are 15" wheels with 225/75R15 tires, but looking at the truck as it sits the tires are P265/70R16. They are toyota 16" alloy wheels.

Was a 16" wheel an option for this model or might these have come off another truck?

The build sheet on the toyota site when I plug in the VIN vaguely lists "ST WHEEL AND TIRE UPGRADE #1" in the factory installed equipment section but also mentions 225/75R15 and 15" steel wheels as the tire size under the mechanical and performance section.

I'm looking to see if these are the original wheels and if not whether I should expect any issues out of them before I buy new tires.

 

All TRD models had the 16"s. 4 cyl Prerunners & 4x4s normally came with the 15" steelies. Normal for the door sticker to list all the wheel, tire sizes, & tire pressures.

 

Those are stock OEM wheels for 01-04 4x4 Tacoma's, so you won't have any issue with them at all on your PreRunner (which is essentially a RWD version of the 4x4).

More important than wheel size is tire diameter - if you stay in the ~31" range, you'll be more stock and have no problems. If you go larger than that, you'll start to run into issues with rubbing. I know you're not talking about a lift at this point, but you can read a bit about how larger tire size requires other work as well in this post: What size tires fit my Tacoma?

 

Thanks for the replies - I should have added mine is a V6 PreRunner SR5. I don't plan on lifting, but I did notice the previous owner took out the front fender well liners which got me wondering if he did so due to rubbing issues. I'll get the new tires and move on to other things.

 

At 265/70/16 and everything stock you should be fine and the liners wouldn't have to come out. I previously had 265/75/16 and never hit the liners.

I currently have 255/85/16 and still have not touched the liners but more is involved there (aftermarket UCAs, Suspension lift, really good alignment shop, etc).

If you stick with 265/70/16 definitely look into putting those liners back on. Don't necessarily have to go OEM (although they do fit better than aftermarket - at least in my experience). The liners do come in handy

Also stick with those wheels... they are perfect for our trucks. If you start down the non-stock wheels road, you'll quickly find yourself learning about additional measurements and frame rub.

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Nah, they probably just fell out, or he removed them for some reason and broke all the clips and was too lazy/cheap to buy more clips.

 

Unless that's a 2002 thing, I contest this statement.

 

Which part?

I was under impression all Trd had alloys

OP is your truck a TRD pre runner? Does it have a rear locker?

If not, It’s possible the owner swapped them for alloys at some point. 265/70/R16 is the largest size stock tire, according to the Toyota Tacoma owner’s manual. However people run larger tires quite frequently.

 

Mine, a v6 prerunner non-4x4, also unfortunately came with 15" (unless the original owner swapped for these, which I highly doubt). Big 'ol TRD sticker on the back.

Coincidentally, OP if you want my 15" wheels, we can probably work something out since I bought 16s for next time my tires wear out

 

I have a 2002 TRD 4x4. It came with 16''. If you decide to go with 15" you might have to have a spacer in the front to clear the brake calipers. I had to when I was young and dumb and changed them out to some 15" steelies.

 

Is there a rear locker?

Either they implemented alloys in 2001 (when they updated headlights) or someone slapped a trd sticker on your truck for kicks

 

If its the big red button that says "dif lock", then yes

 

nope thats the turbo button

 

Lol I've got one of those and it doesn't need a button
"RR Diff Lock" and "ESC PWR" on my dash

 

lol thats right, same

then there's the 'ol fashion A/C Off button power boost

 

Mine's currently disabled due to unknown reasons
RIP my summer, but moar powa baby

 

but you got windows, a small price to pay for a massive power boost

 

Those 5 star alloys the OP posted came on 01-04, those are the years I was referring to.