celchlepp

Hey all, I just bought a truck for my Dad that is an automatic transmission 1991 Toyota pickup extra cab v6 4wd, base model that the previous owner put 16" wheels on. My question is WHY would this be preferred for this truck? Any advantage to 16" over the stock 15" rims? Any advantage for four-wheeling in the desert? That's where my Dad lives is southern NM. This is to be his play truck.

I have my own 1991 SR5 extra cab, v6, Manual shift trans, 4wd model with 15" stock alloy rims and have an extra set for my truck formerly with the intent of having summer tires on one set, and winters on the other to switch them out myself. I moved to where it is not necessary to do that anymore, and would LOVE to give these rims and spare set of tires to my Dad for his truck. Will they fit? I expect all is the same for hub diameter, depth of wheel, etc. so can I do that for him?

Thanks for any advice on what to do. It also has a power steering pump leak, so I found this to help me with that process: , which is the only video I've found to give me even some guidance on not making too big of a mistake on replacement.


Any other leads and/or advice is VERY welcome as I don't claim to be a mechanic.

Lastly, it pulls VERY hard to the left when braking. Right rotor/brake assembly? Stuck caliper?

RJR

Provided the outside diameter of the tire is the same, 16 inch wheels should perform about the same as 15 inch wheels. The 3rd gen 4runners had 16 inch wheels stock.

That being said, there are two primary reasons why manufacturers keep upping the rim size.
- For a given outside tire diameter, bigger rims make for a lighter wheel/tire assembly (assuming alloy or aluminum rims.) That helps a little bit with fuel economy.
- The "cool factor". Somehow the marketing types have successfully convinced American car buyers that flat little tires on big rims look better. Plus, the tire companies can charge more money for less rubber.

But, for off-road, more rubber and less rim is better. The larger tire squishes over rocks better and protects the rim from rock damage.

For the ultimate off road tire/rim designs, look at farm tractors, earth movers, and front-end loaders. Lottsa rubber on pretty small rims.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

i would assume they will fit since 15" was stock size wheels. why not just test fit one?

16" was not an option back then, someone put them on that truck at some point. as to why, we may not know. could be something as simple as they came off a newer vehicle and had good tires for a good price.

here's one example of why i would personally want a 16" wheel over a 15": when considering a 33" tire there is limited selection for 33x10.5 tires, which fit on stock height vehicles and have much less weight than a 33x12.5 tire (which requires several mods to fit them) -- but almost all companies make a 285-75-16 tire size, which is closer in spec to the 33x10.5.

an example of possibly requiring 16" wheels would be after a larger brakes upgrade.

Fundy Rider

Have a 94 extra cab 22re man.
235-85-16 for more height without too much of a weight penalty and any choice in tire out there usually has this size.
Increase ground pressure for four season climate and long winters.
Help with fuel with less rolling resistance.
This is for me and may not be the ticket for your area with a need for more flotation.
I like the look!!!
Different strokes for different folks.
Early Tacoma have same bore and backspacing. Hub centric rim.