Advantages of 16" over 18" wheels

[Weeniewheeler]

First-timer here, just joined. I'm buying my first LC and off-roader this week, and I've got my eye on a '01, but the owner has 'upgraded' from stock wheels to 18" Tacoma steelies. I know the steelies are strong (and can double for a winch in a pinch) but other than the extra cost for 18" tires, are there any other drawbacks to these 18"ers that I am missing? Current rubber is 255/60-18 and I'm planning on driving those bald before going to a 33" setup. My forum name is correct, I'm not interested in taking on hard trails, just getting me and my Kakadu trailer to out of the way places without bashing the truck. FWIW, I did several searches, in vain.

 

[Weeniewheeler]

I should add that I realize that, for a given diameter, a 16" wheeled tire will have more sidewall and more sidewall=good. I did fall off of the turnip truck, but it wasn't yesterday.

 

[re_guderian]

You got it, sidewall height (= more protection for rim, and more ability to air down - which isn't limited to "hardcore" wheelers), tire price, tire selection, and actually weight, where for a given overall diameter and width, the 16" tire/rim combo turns out to be slightly less weight. Even more dramatically so if you're comparing OEM 16" alloys to the Tundra steelies, which are gawdawful heavy... I dig the look of the tundra steelies with the little holes in them, and ran them for a while, but went back to 16" OEM alloys. Also have another cruiser with the 18" OEM alloys, still prefer the 16's. Not a whole ton of aftermarket options either. You should be able to find some 16's on CL if/when you need a new set, otherwise, roll what you got!

 

[fireball]

You can get the 16"OEM rims pretty cheaply. Much better than the 18" for the reasons mentioned above. Better tire selection, more sidewall, ability to air down, and in this case you'll save a good bit of weight over steel wheels. All very compelling reasons to switch back. While you're looking for rims, might as well look for tires too those 30x10s aren't going to get you very far!

 

[mcgaskins]

I'm guessing you probably meant he swapped them for Tundra 18s because Tacomas have a different bolt pattern than the 100. I also ran steel Tundra 18s (pic below) , and they had significantly smaller sidewalls (duh), rode more harshly and were FAR heavier. Even my girlfriend noticed the difference as a passenger, meaning it was material and significant change. MPG suffered too, and I was very happy I kept my factory 16s with DTs. I'm assuming the alloy 18s won't have nearly the weight penalty, but after running both I do not wish to go back to 18s whatsoever. If it helps you get a better deal, I'd either ask for the factory wheels or a discount.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I like my 18's. True that the tires are more expensive, but for me the 18's work well for the type of off-roading that I do, plus the towing. I typically tow about 5300lbs with my loaded travel trailer.

 

[Manhattan]

It's all relevant. I was 'wheeling this weekend with a friend - he was in a 2014 Grand Cherokee. It's on 20s. He was on 3 wheels a bunch (much less flexy than a 100) and his short sidewall "AT"s spun, clawed and chattered, while my 18s and 33" ATs just rolled on over. It was night and day. He's considering getting the down-market 18s (available on lower trim levels) and putting some MTs or ATs on for 'wheeling trips.

Next to his Jeep (and other new SUVs), my 18s and 33s looked "hardcore". But, when I park near another friend's 100 with 16s and 33s, mine looks like a mall cruiser.

My 100 made the football/basketball size rock gardens seem like cobblestone streets, while that Jeep struggled. But, on the drive home - thorough the paved twisties, his GC was like a sports car compared to the 100.

There is no "better" choice. It's what's better for you.

 

[m3roar]

I love my 17inch TRD Rock Warriors. They are the best of both worlds. Tire prices are great for 17inch wheels too!

 

[Hayes]

I'm running 18s and 33's. I'm currently looking for a cheap set of OEM 16's, but I will say that the 18's and 33's are 100% just fine for mild off road. If you're not planning to air down, then there's no advantage to the larger sidewall on a 16 vs. 18 inch wheel.

 

[jemsec]

The Tundra steel wheels are for a very few that like them. Why would you want a steel wheel that doesn't have the look of the stock wheel anyway? The stock wheels look better, are tuff as nails and look great especially when painted to look like new. 16" tires are better all around. In my humble opinion.

 

[Wilsil]

Also 16" tyres are more available in remote areas, at least in Australia.
If you need 18" you have to wait as they have to flown in from a major city.
Therefore most real 4wds are runing 16".

 

[re_guderian]

... I'm not interested in taking on hard trails, just getting me and my Kakadu trailer to out of the way places without bashing the truck. FWIW, I did several searches, in vain.

I think you'd find that even for your intended use, investing in a small compressor (I still use the MV-50, < $75) and airing down your tires makes for a much more controlled (withing reasonable speeds) and comfortable ride, even/especially on long stretches of washboarded dirt road, like say the Pony Express Trail out west of you...