Lug Nut Torque For Steel Wheels

Put a set of winter tires on steel wheels, lug nut acorn style. Tire guy was torquing them at 100ft-lb, he said it was torqued higher for steel wheels. The manual says 83 ft-lb. I searched online and got so many conflicting answers, but none were obvious and straight forward concerning this vehicle, or any other wheel swap for that matter, and the manual doesn't differentiate between oem alloy and steel wheel torque specs, so I retorqued to 85. Anyone have a definitive answer on this?

I'm assuming Toyota knowing this may happen, or common enough, and would include a different torues spec in the manual, but maybe not.

 

The 3rd gen service manual doesn't differentiate between steel and aluminum.
You can check your service manual here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference.406712/

 

I’d go with the book, unless, said steel wheel is an aftermarket and states a said torque value for said wheel.

My opinion… There is less surface area where the lug mates to the steel wheel as apposed to an aluminum wheel. I have seen over tightened lugs actually pull thru the hole for the lugnut on a steel wheel, and the lug was touching the disc/drum (various vehicles). That is not the way it should be.

 

For a given torque, tapered lugs provide less clamping force than flat washer lugs, as they have to overcome nut-to-wheel friction. Even more so with steel wheels.
Another factor is creep relaxation because of inevitable and inherent imperfections between the lug and lug seat.

Higher torque is prudent.