Should I give up trying find Tundra steel wheels?

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I found lots of them - that would require shipping. Shipping is in the neighborhood of $200. I'd rather be patient and pick them up locally... or semi-locally.
 
marshotel said:
As for your assertion that "6000lbs of truck is plenty of kinetic energy to plow through stuff without additional flywheel effect from the wheels":

Thats like saying that a 230 hp truck has plenty of horsepower already,
which is true for most situations.

But high performance comes in small increments, and is predicated on the metric used for measuring "performance."

In some situations, the heavy wheels make the truck ride smoother and handle better. In particular, heavy wheels really excel on rough roads at constant speeds. The theoretical physics back this up.

If you spend most of your time accelerating and decelerating, which is what most people do, then the light wheels are preferable.

If you drive washed out gravel roads with the cruise control on 70mph, then the heavy wheels are your friend.

That said, your point about the inverse relationship between unsprung weight and suspension performance is absolutely correct.

If you drive washed out gravel roads with the cruise control on 70 then you will need to replace wheel bearings and suspension bushings pretty frequently. The LC is still a pretty awesome vehicle for fast gravel roads, and the heavier steel wheels only make it better for this application.
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Good lord, chase your tail often? I would wager that 80% of hundy drivers would not be able to tell the difference between wheel type in a blind comparison, but it does sound fun!
 
No - I've found sets of the steel wheels with holes, but hundreds or thousands of miles away. Can't bring myself to pay $200 to ship $200 worth of wheels. I'm going to be patient and wait for a set in the Atlanta area to pop up.
 
My 40 sits on a set and got one as a spare for my 18"

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2000UZJ said:
Sam at Lowe Toyota can get them for ~114 a corner.
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Huh. Josh at Lowe Toyota quoted me $360/wheel - after the Mud discount. And that's before shipping. Odd... because the local Toyota Dealership sells them for $141/wheel
 
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Two things:
1. Maybe it's S.E. Toyota - but there are NO Tundras anywhere near Atlanta with the "standard" 18" steel wheels. But I'm patient
2. UPS and FedEx trucks have steel wheels. Huh? What does that have to do with anything? These guys plan their routes to avoid left turns. The entire business model relies on maximizing efficiency. We know aluminum wheels are plenty strong enough for their trucks (18-wheelers use'em). And we know - from all the above physics lessons - that aluminum saves a lot of rotational weight. So why the steel? I'm guessing because they are cheaper to replace (when they curb'em) and the fuel savings is negligible? Maybe?
 
Manhattan said:
Two things:
1. Maybe it's S.E. Toyota - but there are NO Tundras anywhere near Atlanta with the "standard" 18" steel wheels. But I'm patient
2. UPS and FedEx trucks have steel wheels. Huh? What does that have to do with anything? These guys plan their routes to avoid left turns. The entire business model relies on maximizing efficiency. We know aluminum wheels are plenty strong enough for their trucks (18-wheelers use'em). And we know - from all the above physics lessons - that aluminum saves a lot of rotational weight. So why the steel? I'm guessing because they are cheaper to replace (when they curb'em) and the fuel savings is negligible? Maybe?
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They mostly come on base/work truck. Yes they are little more rare. Expand your search I just picked up a set in Huntsville AL for $100. There is a set in southern middle TN can be had for a few bucks more but passed on those he wanted to play hard ball.
 
Reverend said:
Dumb question....

Why are these steel wheels so desirable? Are they more durable?
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Yes and I would rather jack up a set of $100 wheels on the rocks vs a set of forged alum OE wheels. Plus I like the look.

I got a set to run when I go play in rocks so not to mess up the OE powder coated wheels that are on my truck when I got it.
 
I have found a couple sets in AL and TN... but driving to get them can double the cost (fuel/time). I'm surprised that, in a city of 4 million, someone's not upgrading their Tundra. Maybe the trucks the standard steelies come on are so base-level, they're really not upgraded often - vinyl seats, crank windows.. ;)
 
I love the steelies...personally, cracks me up seeing people discuss the extra 52 pounds it adds (all the way around) when they are adding 100's of pounds of ARB bumpers, tire carriers, gas, water, shovels, hi-lift jacks, fridges, drawers, winches,......... :)
 
Anyone actually weighed them?

Alloys with 34 inch mud tires =
Tundra steelies with 34 inch mud tires =

I haven't weighed them, but just had all 4 off this weekend and I know they are heavy.
 
Bomar said:
Yes and I would rather jack up a set of $100 wheels on the rocks vs a set of forged alum OE wheels. Plus I like the look.

I got a set to run when I go play in rocks so not to mess up the OE powder coated wheels that are on my truck when I got it.
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Price is pretty irrelevant. Both alloy in 16-18" and the steel Tundra wheels can be had for the same price when looking. $20-$75 each. Strength would be my assumption as the improvement for steel wheels. I've bent two 18" OEM alloys. If thy were steel I assume I would be ok. Looks, like you said are the other reason people like them. The less mall cruiser, more poverty package Mid East styling may be desirable to many. I would buy a set of 5 at $25 per in a heartbeat if I could find them close.
 
MtnAddict said:
Thanks, thought there was a bigger difference.
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Bigger as in my math was wrong? 13 times 4. ahhh..plus the spare...65 pounds total. Still, those worried about weight issues wouldn't be adding tons of expedition gear.
 
jonharis said:
The less mall cruiser, more poverty package Mid East styling may be desirable to many.
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Steelies as "poverty package"... That's awesome! I hadn't considered that, but like the balance it provides. Should help toward my 100 series zen. Steelies are the poverty yin and my luxury rooftop tent or fridge yang.
 
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