SuaveGato

So my tire & wheel nightmare continues... I (and others on this site) "thought" that the stock rims on my 1996 Taco 3.4L, ExCab 4x4 were 15x7! when in fact unfortunately, come to find out, they are 15x6. Thus not allowing me to fit the 31x10.5x15 MT Baja Claws that I bought on them! the rims are too narrow! Then after being PROMISSED by a couple of real Jerks (manager & owner no less) at BigO on Bradshaw here in Sacramento that they could order for me and install a set of 15x8 steel wagon wheels by the next day at noon (I was leaving for a hunting trip to Utah that day) that my Baja Claws would fit on. Even after I informed them that 2 other retailers told me that those rims would NOT fit, they would hit the calipers on that year model, they told me "not to worry, they ordered a different back spacing and if they didn't fit, they would find something that did". "Don't worry, we'll have your tires on for your trip". B.S.! Long story short, they didn't fit and they couldn't find any that did and all that I got out of their promise was, Oops, sorry! :pat: So I got to Utah and back without getting stuck on my A/T tires, got a darn nice buck too (9x7 non typical) but I STILL NEED TIRES AND RIMS ON MY TRUCK!

Here is my dilemma. I am looking for advice on my best set up for this truck. I already have a set of MT Baja Claws in 31x10.5x15". But would need 15x8 rims for them. I would prefer simple, inexpensive, no frills steel wheels but have been told that "they" don't make a 15x8 steel wheel for that year? So, do I now go up to a 16" wheel (that will supposedly clear the caliper) and sell off my Claws and start from scratch? Or do I go to a 15" aluminum or allow wheel and put my claws on them? I would prefer the simple, inexpensive, strong steel wheels but if I can't get them, then I can't get them! So what would y'all recommend? Going up to a 16" steel or a 15" aluminum that will fit my truck and the tires I already have? What ever I get, it is just getting painted flat black anyway, so I don't need any fancy aluminum wheel. But if they perform better, then I might consider them? Does anyone have a 1996 Taco and what rims have they found that work?

Pros & Cons of steel 16's Vs. Aluminum 15's? (or just steel vs. aluminum, which is preferable?)

P.S. I even tried to find some 31 or 32 x 9.5's that I could fit on my stock rims but even the 9.5's aren't recommended on rims less than 6.5" and most recommend a 7"!

No matter how I slice it, looks like more money!

Thanks for your input,
biGjOhn

P.S. a Few pix of this year's Buck for anyone who's interested:

ornery

#97-5883: 15x8, 6x5.5, 3.75BS

http://www.procomptires.com/series97.htm

I dont know if that's exactly what you want, but the size is right.. Good luck, and nice buck, haha.

They also have the same size in all their other steelies I think...

I dont know whether that BS is right either, I remember being told somewhere that its 3.75", but it might be 4"...

Maj

Everybody has their preference of the best material. Steelies tend to be cheaper and can be straightened (within reason) on the trail with a hammer and won't crack. Alloys gives you more styling choices, lighter weight (usually) and less maintenance.

4unner4life

Nice Buck!

SuaveGato

Thanks Ornery but I think those are either the same ones that they tried or very similar? From what I have been told by numerous outfits around here is that basically one place makes all of the “Rock Crawlers, “Wagon Wheels” & American Racing” for those name plates and they are all basically the same wheel; none of which will fit the 95.5 – 97 Taco with the ADD front end… Unfortunately I have a MUTT or “bastard” of a truck… in limbo somewhere between the 95 and previous “HiLux and the “real 98 and up Tacomas… the 95.5 – 97’s have a screwy ADD (Automatic Disconnect Differential) front end that has calipers that stick way out, also making it hard to find lift parts, rims etc… it’s a Hodge Podge hybrid of the old and the new merged together until the new, real Tacoma was finalized in 98 I guess… So, although I “think” those would work on any year EXCEPT 95.5 – 97, I don’t think that they will fit on mine…? IF ANYONE KNOWS FOR SURE, PLEASE CHIME IN!

And I also forgot to add, I’ve heard that Chevy wheels will fit too, is that true? If so what years and or offsets? Maybe I could find a set of 15x8 steel Chevy’s to put on?

Thanks,
biGjOhn

SuaveGato

Thanks. lot's more game pictures here in my photobucket if you want to take a peek? (and what I did to my finger last week, right before the trip! Trigger finger no less! But I guess it still works fine )

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d6...&addtype=local

biGjOhn

SuaveGato

CJM

Honestly I dont think you would have a problem fitting the rockcrawlers in with the correct backspacing. You can always return them if they dont fit too..

They have a few different 15x8 wheels that fit a yota you want "15 X 8 Bolt Pattern: 6-5.5"

http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/produ...EELS&man=TECH#

They have wheels with 3.75 backspace and 4.5 you may need the ones with less backspacing..

Linky to the site for them: http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/produ...catName=Wheels

Nice buck btw..