Last night at a gas station I saw two 3rd gens with 15 inch factory toyota 3 spoke wheels. I thought the 3 spoke toyota wheels only came in 16, but I walked closer and confirmed that the tires where 31x10.5R15. Imagine the look on the lady's face as I read her tires. (i explained but she didnt seem to understand what I was doing. These wheels clear the caliper because of their design, I am 99.99 sure they are an exception.

I have searched, trust me I have, but cant seem to be able to find the facts on the backspacing / offset needed for a 15 inch wheel to clear the font caliper on a 3rd gen 4runner.

 

These are the wheels I saw on the trucks, they were 15x7JJ

 

3rd gens had both 15" and 16" wheels, depending on which brakes they had. The larger rotors used the OE 16" wheels and the smaller rotors used 15" wheels. So what you saw is not uncommon. If you look on eBay, you can find foth 15" and 16" OE wheels.

hupptoy

 

To add to this, I believe the 15" wheels came on the 4x2's.

 

Thanks hupptoy, I didnt know there were different types of brakes on 3rd gens. Is it safe to assume that the 3.4L comes with larger brakes and the 2.7L comes with smaller brakes?

I tried to fit some 15x8 steel aftermarket wheels on my Prado and they only cleared the caliper with spacers. That must mean my brake rotors are the "large" type. I am trying to avoid wheel spacers, so I though for sure I could use those OEM 15x7s if a 3rd gen had them on from the factory.

 

Good point, didn't check that... I keep forgeting there are 4x2 4runners. To add more confusion, I just saw a 98 taco 4x4 with the same 15 inch 3-spokes.

 

It is not engine size related, but "option package" related, and is also not related to whether it was 4x4 or 4x2.

There were factory 4x2's that came with the 16" wheels (later 4x2 Limiteds for example) and many 3.4 3rd gens have OE 15" wheels.

What size wheels did yours have from the factory?

Also, even if you had 15" from the factory, does not mean all aftermarket 15" wheels will clear your calipers. Backspace can be an issue as well as how the rim is shaped.

hupptoy

 

It's called "Preferred Equipment Package 1." Defroster-linked A/C, power windows, door locks and antenna, 16" aluminum wheels with P265/70R16 tires, chrome wheel arch moulding, 4.10 rear diff ratio, 13" front disc brakes and premium ETR cassette with 6 speakers.

Meanwhile, "Preferred Equipment Package 2" is A/C, PW, PDL & antenna, 15" alum wheels with P225/75R15 tires and premium ETR cassette with 6 speakers.

Before you mention the flares, you can add other packages on top that changes the fender flare options (like my truck is equipped).

According to the 1998 brochure, only the Limited 2WD and 4WD came with 16" wheels and 13" brakes; ALL other models had it bundled with a package.

 

16x6JJ Factory steelies

 

I've 15" wheels, 3.4L, 4x4, 5spd, and manual windows ;-) . It actually had 15" steel wheels when I got it.