Tire guide

Copied From Toyota Parts website:

Before running out to buy new tires, consider that Toyota used quite a few different sizes for Tacoma’s built between 1995 and 2013. Here is a chart showing the different rim sizes.

OEM Tire Sizes – Toyota Tacoma
Model Year Original Factory Tacoma Tire Sizes Sorted By Rim Size
1995-2000 195/75 R14 215/70 R14 225/75 R15 31×10.5 R15 265/70 R16
2001-2004 205/75 R15 225/75 R15 235/55 R16 265/70 R16 –
2005-2013 215/70 R15 245/75 R16 265/70 R16 265/65 R17 255/45 R18
The above table shows the dramatic growth of tire and rim sizes over the years. This is primarily due to the changing world of compact trucks. While 14″ rims were common in the mid-90s, you would be hard pressed to find a pickup with them now.

Check Lug Pattern
Also important when buying tires is figuring out what kind of lug patter you have. Toyota generally used either a 5-or-6 depending on model and 4wd. Generally if you have a PreRunner or 4×4 truck, you will have a 6-lug pattern. All others will have a 5-lug pattern.

The BIG Question – How Large of a Tire Will Fit?
One of the simplest “modifications” you can do is to put a larger tire on your truck. The Tacoma has a good amount of room in the wheel well already and larger tires can fit without much issue. Just how big? Here is a general rule of thumb to remember.

1. 2005+ Tacoma Trucks. These trucks allow you to generally pick any size on the list above. This is because the truck is made to accomodate these different sizes. However, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. There are some serious issues that may happen when going from a small tire to a much larger one. Problems like:

• Your truck’s speedometer and odometer can develop errors when changing sizes by more than an inch. There are software kits to reprogram these systems and it is recommended you look into them.
• Larger tires look cool, but you can lose low-end torque. The reality is that you are adding to the overall diameter of your drive wheel, which effectively reduces your rear axle ratio. This translates into slower acceleration. This is one of the reasons why many off-road trucks with larger tires either have a different rear axle with different ratios installed or a supercharger added.

2. The 3% Height and Width Rule. Generally, you can increase your tires height and width by 3% each without having to install a lift or leveling kit. This translates into about 1″ of additional height and .3″ additional width. Most tire dealers call this the “plus 1” tire size increase. It is an affordable and reasonable option for a modification without a large expense.

Note that doesn’t mean every tire manufacture makes tires that are exactly 3% larger, so this may not be an option.

3. 1″ Lift Equals 1″ Tire Height. The general rule with regards to lift kits is that you can 1″ higher in tire for each inch of lift. So, if you decide to add a 3″ lift, you can add 3″ of tire height. Keep in mind, this DOESN’T apply to width. Adding width is all about buying wider rims with different backspacing.

Just remember that when shopping for tires, you may not always be able to find tires that matchboth your width and height needs.

Over-Sized 2005+ Tacoma Tires
Note: These recommendations are based on the factory wheels. Using an upgraded rim with different backspacing will allow you to increase to a wider tire. Also, if you go really wide (more than 285), you will want to consider fender flares.

No Lift Kit

Max tire sizes are:

15″ rims: 265/75 R15 – A 265/80 R15 tire would fit just fine, but no one makes one to our knowledge. 265/75 R15 is the largest available size.

16″ rims: 265/75 R16 – one inch taller but same width as factory

17″ rims: 265/70 R17 – one inch taller but same width as factory

2″ Leveling Kit (or less)

When installing a leveling kit, you might be able to fit some wider tires than what we have listed. It may require some trimming though, but it is possible.

Max tire sizes are:

15″ rims: …if you’ve got 15’s and have invested in a lift kit, spend a little more and get some 16″ or 17″ wheels to go with it. There aren’t any good tire sizes for 15’s.

16″ rims: 265/75 R16 – one inch taller but same width as factory

17″ rims: 275/70 R17 – 1.5 inches taller and 0.4″ wider than factory

3″ Lift Kit

Note: If you are planning a 3″ lift, you will need to consider either a new set of wheels or some wheel spacers. The fact is that there aren’t a lot of common tire sizes that take advantage of your lift and still fit the stock rims.

After-market rims designed for the Tacoma allow you to increase the width as larger as 315mm (or about 12.5″). However, if you do go this large be prepared to do some trimming of the fenders and wheel wells due to tires rubbing. This also applies to 1.5″ wheel spacers.

A common Tacoma tire width for 3″ lift kits is 285mm. This means 17″ wheels, 285/70 R17’s are a good choice (2″ taller and .8″ wider than factory). For 16″ wheels, 285/75 R16’s have similar dimensions as the 17″ wheels do.

Buying Tires
Much like everything else these days, it is beneficial to shop around. Try online sites and your local dealer. Quite often you can find good estimates and have a better idea of the cost before you walk in to a store.


Looked interesting because I was trying to find info for my 17" stock wheels. This put it to rest, I'll get the 265/70/17 BFG KO2 now.
KVJ

 

http://parts.olathetoyota.com/blog/4536/toyota-tacoma-tire-sizes

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/info-on-tire-sizes-and-what-will-fit.320804

 

Thanks tomwil, I'm not to good on the inerscreen or I would have done that.
KVJ