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Switch from 16" to 15" on 3rd gen 4runner

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Old 02-21-2009, 07:53 PM
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Swith from 16" to 15" on 3rd gen 4runner

I have searched and haven't found the answer. My '99 4Runner has 16" rims and the door sticker says 15". Were the 16" rims dealer installed? If so, did they upgrade the brake size also? I really want to run 15" rims. Thanks.
Old 02-21-2009, 08:19 PM
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There are so many different situations, the best way is to just measure your calipers and see for yourself if the wheels would fit or not.
Old 02-21-2009, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by SC4Runner
There are so many different situations, the best way is to just measure your calipers and see for yourself if the wheels would fit or not.
Bingo.
I would bet that if the sticker in the doorjamb says it had 15's stock you should be alright.

I would measure the calipers though just to be sure.

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Old 02-21-2009, 11:25 PM
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I looked into this a long time ago, and found that the the 'big tire package' was sometimes installed after the trucks landed in North America, and included the tires, 16" rims, and bigger brakes. But, because it wasn't factory installed the sticker still reads 15" rims. Measure your brakes before investing in new wheels.
Old 02-21-2009, 11:57 PM
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Checkout these threads.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/g...y-15-s-167359/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/f...thless-166738/
Old 02-22-2009, 06:19 AM
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it could have been a dealer thing or a previous owner. you should post pics because someone will be able to give you a better answer by looking at them. also if they did put on the 16's at the dealer they most likely wouldnt have upgraded the brakes. as far as i know toyota only had one size of calipers on the 3rd gens. why do you want to downsize? if you do, you wont be able to upgrade to bigger brakes in the future if you wanted to. the tundra brake upgrade is probably one of the best mods that can be done to the 3rd gen. the brakes are undersized for the size of the vehicle. but that is all my opinion. so post pics of the rims and lets see if we cant figure this out.
Old 02-22-2009, 07:21 AM
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Double thread. See this thread.

Last edited by Gerdo; 02-22-2009 at 08:05 AM.
Old 02-22-2009, 08:12 AM
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The base model 4runner came with 15" wheels and smaller brakes.

What model is your 4runner? Sports and Limited came with 16" wheels and 4 piston calipers. If you have a Sport or a LTD then no you can't go with 15" wheels unless you swap the brakes out for smaller. Big brakes=good, small=bad.

True, 15" wheel/tires have taller sidewalls allowing to airdown lower and flex more. Sometimes there are options on tires and 15"ers are cheaper.

There are almost as many tire options in 16"ers.
Old 02-22-2009, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Gerdo
What model is your 4runner? If you have a Sport or a LTD then no you can't go with 15" wheels unless you swap the brakes out for smaller.
Mine is an SR5..........not sure what makes it a Sport. It does have a sunroof and gold emblems.
Old 02-22-2009, 03:15 PM
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Here's a pic before the project starts.
Old 02-22-2009, 04:22 PM
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It's not a Sport nor is it a Limited.

Can you get your hands on one of the wheels? Try one on the front, rears are all the same.
Old 02-22-2009, 07:51 PM
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yea i found the other one. didnt post though.
Old 02-22-2009, 07:58 PM
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Threads merged, only one now
Old 02-22-2009, 09:16 PM
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Newbie here ... I have a 2000 Toyota 4runner sr5 v6 2wheel drive with moon roof ... It has 15s on it, but I was informed that some actually came with 16s tho... I would swap ya but you live too far and I just got some 30x9.5 last month... Sorry people, will post more about me when I get better pics.
Old 02-22-2009, 10:21 PM
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sell you my 16's i'm downgrading caliper's/break so I can fit some factory 15's pre- powder coated w/BFG T/A's
Old 02-23-2009, 01:37 AM
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Originally Posted by DeathCougar
Threads merged, only one now
You beat me to it.

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Old 02-23-2009, 07:04 AM
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If you have S13WM stamped on your calipers, you have the bigger rotors (12.5" IIRC), therefore, you cannot fit the smaller wheels on there.
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