Steel wheels for 1st gen PreRunner

Hi all, new here. Been on the hunt for replacement steel wheels for my 01 prerunner regular cab, but no luck so far- the two options I've tried (Pro Comp Rock Crawler and Black Rock Series 929) rub against the caliper or are too close for comfort. Pro Comps had -6mm offset and 4.25" backspace, and Black Rocks had +13mm offset and 5" backspace. I've been told aluminum construction wheels would fit but I prefer durability of steel, and would like to avoid spacers. Running dueler A/T tires- P265/70R16.

Stock steelies I have on now are fine- couple missing hubcaps that I'm tired of replacing and a little surface rust....if I can find new better looking steelies that don't rub against caliper and drive the same, great.

Anyone else with a similar search? Better off going OEM instead of aftermarket? Suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

I have a set of those wheels collecting dust in my shop..

I also wouldnt be scared of an alumimum rims

 

What could you possibly be doing with your prerunner that you're worried about the durability of an aluminum wheel? Just get the OEM aluminum wheels and save yourself some unsprung weight. You can find them on Craigslist all day long for around $100 for a set of 4.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld! Personally, I'd stick with OEM. I've never really liked the look of those particular wheels you have on there now. Have you considered running the spare wheel? If you do, you want the round not the oval. Reference this -
https://adventuretaco.com/new-to-me-tires-and-a-tundra-brake-upgrade/#spareIdentification

One plus side to the spare wheel, no hubcaps/center pieces to worry about.

Could always swap to 3rd gen 4Runner wheels

 

^ these. There is a lot to be gained by shedding some rotational weight.

 

Nice truck, I had an 03 exactly like yours in the photo. Great truck, both my kids (rotten brats) drove it thru 4 years of college each. Hated to sell it but at the time I had 4 vehicles and my wife's Tesla Model 3 was on the horizon. Have you looked on Amazon, called around to some tire shops to see if they have a set in storage or who they recommend to find what you are looking for?

 

I have been using the Aluminum wheels since I bought them 20 years ago. Though I run only the 15"x7 " wheels

Other then cleaning the bead when I first bought them I never touch them.

 

Those don't look all that bad, paint them along with the center cap covers

 

Welcome to TW!

I have done extensive research on rims and decided my stock aluminum rims are the best for my 03 Taco. Aluminum wheels are stronger than steel and chrome. Or so I have read....

I had some serious brake dusk and dirt on mine and spent a day using a steel brush to clean them up. They came out alright

 

Horses for courses. Offroad, steel wheels will bend if you do something stupid, where as alloy wheels can shatter. You can make it out on a bent wheel if you had to.

If you're not hitting the trail then alloy is the way to go. If you hit the trail, then you gotta make a decision on how you plan to use the truck off road. Fire roads, etc... still alloy. Minor rock crawling, probably still alloy as long as you don't mind the scratch marks. Anything above minor rock crawling, steel is the way to go. Eventually you get into the land of beadlocks, and obviously 40s n tons.

 

Good points Andy...thank you for the clarification

 

You need a set of these.

 

Titanium would be best. Ya know...in the '90s you could find cheap Ti products after a certain region went belly up. Maybe a repeat is on the way.