I'm trying to rid the truck of the shakes and wobbles. Basically, the ride feels as if the shocks are worn out. However, when I lie under the truck and have a large friend do the "bounce test" on either bumper, it's clear that the shock absorbers are rock-hard, and ALL the flopping around is in the tire sidewalls.

The truck has OEM 14 X 5.5" wheels. It's time for new tires anyway, so I figured it would be a good time to upgrade to 15" wheels. This is just a 2WD, not a 4Runner and I don't do major off-roading, just have to encroach a bit into a field from time to time.

I am also into keeping it all low-profile. I live, and have to park frequently, in neighborhoods where, maybe you don't take your life into your hands, but you can't guarantee your truck won't be broken into. So my goal is to make this truck look more plain than others. I'll be removing ALL the side stripes and the Toyota emblems and the V6 emblem so it just looks like a plain white truck. And I prefer plain steel wheels, not eye-catching alloys.

The local dealer wants $336 per 15" steel wheel. Clearly a ripoff, but I expected that. I can get used steel from a local place for $60 and NEW steel wheels for $50 from another place, oddly enough. The NEW steel wheels are 15 X 7 - I sorta wanted 15 X 6, but I guess 15 X 7 won't hurt.

The nearest (central California) junkyard wants $60 per steel wheel if they have them in stock, which they rarely do.

So here's the question:
What's your favorite place for cheap wheels? Someone online?

Or, does anybody have a set of 4 15" (maybe even 16") steel or not-too-fancy allow wheels they can spare for relatively cheap?

The specs for the 1994 2WD truck are:
Bolt pattern - 5 on 4.5" (114.3mm)
Offset negative "medium", about 10-20mm

Thanks!

Dave
Santa Rosa, CA

 

Sorry I don't have any wheels but have a suggestion. Check your local message board's classified sections. There are a lot of wheels which would fit the truck.

Cars such as Ford Mustang(5 bolt), Camrys, Accords, Eagle Talon, Mitsu Eclipse and others have this bolt pattern.

Toyotas such as the Older Camrys, Avalon, Cressida, Supra, Mr2, all have the same bolt pattern. You have to check the offsets though.

I recently saw a pickup like yours with older mustang Cobra wheels. It looks nice but not that wild.

Also a lot of people are taking stock wheels off and selling them for pennies.

Look around there are lots of wheels which will fit!

 

How do I find my "local message board"? In Santa Rosa, there are no city-based BBSes or anything.

I sure do like the idea of take-off wheels. The offsets for front-wheel drive cars usually won't work. That's kind of the basic difference. If you look at a FWD car, like the Camry, you'll notice that the face of the wheel is about at the same plane as the mounting bolts. On a RWD or 4WD (truck-like), they're "dished" heavily - the mounting bolts are set way in compared to the wheel face. Probably, for my uses, any RWD wheel will work.

Are there "local" sections on this board?

TIA!

Dave

 

Good question. Actually a lot of websites have Bulletin Boards such as this one. I live on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii and the import scene is pretty hot like in Cali. We have a local site called Speed Hawaii which has a pretty impressive Board which includes classifieds for many different cars.

Here's the URL for our local board:

Speed hawaii

Maybe in your area there is some kind of site like this one. If you know of anyone who is into the import scene maybe they can help you.

Another way is looking at your local Buy and Sell classifieds. Sometimes someones junk is your gold. I found a set of Brand New Tundra wheels and tires for a good price.

I also found another set of Tundra wheels and tires off the Tundra solutions site. I noticed a custom Tundra from another member in Hawaii and asked him if he was willing to sell his rims and although the lived on another island I bought his rims and had it shipped to me.

As for you, California is a big state. There must be tons of the kind of rims you are looking for. It's just a matter of finding them.

Good Luck!

 

JUNKYARD!!, My favorite parts source.