Upgrade to 18's?

[OregonLC]

I've found some OEM LC 18's for cheap and I'm tempted to 'upgrade' from the 16's. Zero technical reason other than I happen to like the look of the bigger wheel. I've seen a number of the 03+ rigs on Mud and I think they look sharp.

My question is: if I'm going to 33's anyway, is there a real-world disadvantage in a larger wheel with a lower profile tire for a guy who does medium difficulty exploring (medium for me might be easy for some of you!)? Or is there perhaps a hidden advantage is going to the the factory 18's (lower overall wheel weight, better offset, clearance for bigger brakes)? Why did Toyota make the change anyway? Just for marketing purposes?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

16's all the way (especially with that smaller tire). Medium-difficulty = Air down with some rocks, etc.

 

[1loudLX]

The 18s have the same offset and everything else as the 16s, they just look purty. if i was gonna run 33s it'd be on 16s, 35s are on 18s because I wanted to keep the 285 width.

 

[Brock]

I have 18s on my LX....and you lose less than 1/2 of sidewall between comparable tires on 16s...I always thought it was a lot more but pretty negligable. Previous owner put them on and I just had to buy one for the spare so they all match.

I got a 16" wheel with a nearly new Michelin LTX on it if anyone needs a spare or one to replace a wheel that was damaged. FREE if you pay shipping or come pick it up. LOL

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

18 - 16 = 2 = 1-inch less sidewall difference. ???

 

[OregonLC]

So why do you suppose Yota made the change to 18's? Just for looks/marketing knowing that most folks will do just fine at the mall on 18's?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Styling trends. Absolutely. Look at the new 2010 LX570. YIKES!

 

[Brock]

your calc is off though it is what everyone thinks....first you got to look at tires available and what is comparable...

I bought Nitto Trail Grapplers in 285x65x18 which are 32.6x11.2x7.3

Comparable Trail Grapplers in 285x70x16 (only ones offered) work out as 31.7x11.2x7.8


So there is in fact only 0.5 inches of difference in sidewall height between the two tires as it would be impacted off road and aired down. Not enough to warrant wanting to sell them and go back to a 16inch wheel setup because of 1/2 inch.

I took sizes from Nitto website and put them in metric tire conversion tool that Discount Tires Direct has.

 

[OregonLC]

Spresso has the same color cruiser as I have and while his looked great with the 16's, it looks really cool with the 18's in some of his later pictures. You have to admit, that's a sharp looking wheel/tire combo! I have cruiser envy.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/169441-featured-100-spressomon-9.html#post5399558

 

[Sandroad]

Make sure the tire you want is available in the wheel size you're considering.

 

[bamachem]

I did, and I don't regret it...
18" Gunmetal OEM wheels with 285/60/18 Cooper Zeon LTZ tires:

Compared to OEM 16" wheels w/ 275/70/16 Michelins...

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

18's look great on a 100

 

[Brock]

18" wheels with 285x65x18 Nitto Trail Grapplers.... HA

 

[OregonLC]

18" wheels with 285x65x18 Nitto Trail Grapplers.... HA

Dang Brock, those look really nice! Are those wheels off an 03+ LX?

Will the Yota caps fit the LX wheels?

 

[OregonLC]

I did, and I don't regret it...
18" Gunmetal OEM wheels with 285/60/18 Cooper Zeon LTZ tires:

That middle pic looks great!

 

[OregonLC]

18's look great on a 100

those are the wheels i'm looking at. same as Spresso's I think. Are you running 35's?

 

[dclee]

Looks great. Probably handles better on-road (at the expense of slightly stiffer ride). Not so great offroad. Thinner sidewall means less expansion (elongation) when aired down. They tend to be heavier and stiffer as well, to support the thinner sidewall, which translates into less flex.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

those are the wheels i'm looking at. same as Spresso's I think. Are you running 35's?

Tundra wheels with 35x11.50/18 Nitto's.
Ride and handling is excellent, same sidewall height as a 33 on 16" rim

 

[1loudLX]

Dang Brock, those look really nice! Are those wheels off an 03+ LX?

Will the Yota caps fit the LX wheels?

yes. no.




Brock, 18" wheels with 285x75x18 Toyo Open Country M/Ts.... HA

 

[wildsmith]

The inside face of the 16's I have are badly scored from stones jamming between the brake caliper and wheel.