How will replacing 20" with 18" tires change driving performance on Limited?

I currently have the factory chrome wheels on my 2022 Limited. I am considering replacing them with solid black 18" wheels. How will this affect the driving performance/experience? Will there be a noticeable difference in road noise or driving performance?

 

It will ride softer because of the larger sidewall. I wouldn't say there was any performance to begin with but it may feel like it's rolling over more than before.

 

Cannot speak for 18in wheels, but I upgraded to 17in 4runner wheels. The best mod for me.

I already have Ironman FCP suspension on my Limited and I took some hard turns to test and I had no problems with high profile tires 285/70R17 compared to what I had previously 275/55R20.

I'm so happy that my wife's don't care driving style unlikely to damage 17in wheels with curbs and potholes.

She also use to carry pretty heavy stuff for her business with seats folded and 20in tires were pretty squished to my eyes and 17in tires seems don't care with heavy stuff to my eyes.

Edit -

Looks - I'm a HUGE fan of 17in wheels and tires look over 20in wheels and tires.


Before and after, But don't have exact same angle though...

 

I have a 22 Limited 4WD and a 21 Venture (with 17" TRD wheels).
Here's what you'll notice:
Turning will not seem as crisp due to more rubber distance (inches) between the wheel and tire.
Noise is dependent on the type of tire you go with, not the wheel size.
Mileage is same as noise. Depends on the tires.
Appearance - it'll change the luxury appearance to a utility appearance. Amazing that wheels can do that, but it's true IMHO.

FWIW, I really like the factory 20's on the Limited as they really match-up nicely with all the other chrome. But, hey enjoy the journey! Always fun to look at changes/updates to our Runners!

 

You probably know the selection of tires in 18" size will be considerably less than, say, 17". Something to consider.

 

Excellent point.

 

I have Limited. Stock 20" wheels with nice road tires the drive on the highway is/was great. I put Wildlpeaks on 17" ORP wheels and that highway feeling, nimble, planted is gone. I love the Wildpeaks and below 50mph are good, especially off road, but highway speeds, it's just not the same.

If you do 99% paved road driving, keep the 20" wheels on it with quality street tires. If you want to off road most of the time, get a Wildpeak or similar tire on 17's, just know that highway ride will be gone.

 

Following, as I am looking to change my wheels in a year or so when the original tires need replacing. I have a 2021 Limited with 38k miles. I am in the process of deciding which tire and wheel combo to go with next. I mainly use my vehicle for work: light off-roading, and to pull my motorcycles. At the moment, I am leaning towards staying with 20" wheels with a slightly more aggressive tread and a little poke out the side.

 

You have 20" wheels, not tires. If you want to know how the different wheels will affect driving performance/experience, it'll be minimal if you choose the same size tire (overall diameter). The smaller wheel, while using the same size tire, will provide for a little more sidewall. Sidewall flex can provide a more comfortable ride; however, less sidewall is also beneficial for cornering and aggressive on road driving (think sports car tires).

 

In your opinion, would a compromise of tires with a bit more aggressive tread in 20" size be somewhere in the middle? Better off road ability, with not such a bad road experience as going to 17" AT's?

 

Realize the "poke" may increase the amount of gravel/rock chips you get along the sides, fenders and wheel opening moulding, and it more importantly, it looks lame.

 

I think so. Sidewall give is what adds to the soft feeling on the freeway. If I hadn't been spoiled by the nice road tires before getting the 17" wheels, I may not notice as much. If I had to do it again, with the amount of off roading I do-almost all decently shaped forest roads-I would do the 20" Wildpeaks or something a bit less aggressive with a little off road prowess.

 

Yes, I do. I don't want a lot just slightly more than it has being stock.

 

Agreed. I just picked up my '24 Limited back in late April and although I didn't outright hate anything about the stock 20" tire/wheel combo, I did feel they made my 4runner look somewhat anemic. I upgraded to the OE TRD Pro wheels in flat black with stock 17" tire size (265/70-17) Toyo Open Country AT3's in SL rating which are a.) fantastic tires and still maintain solid vehicle handling, only with a more forgiving ride, and b.) along with the additional "poke" aka offset, helped move the wheels a lil' bit further out from the chassis solving the appearance issue.

Hope this helps,
TimG

 

Looks good. What offset are your wheels? I believe the stock wheels on the Limited have a 15+ offset.

 

Thank you! The TRD Pro wheels are +4 offset.

TimG

 

The Limiteds in Southamerica come with 18 inch wheels from factory, tire measurements are 265/60 R18 (30.5 inches). The ride is smooth on pavement and very good off pavement.

 

I swapped the 20s for 17s and 265 BFG KO2s on my otherwise stock 2020 Limited. I don’t expect to ‘wheel this one much - I have other trucks.

Most of my driving is around town - some highway, lots of urban/suburban streets. The 17s and 265s (or bigger) are just great for less than perfect streets - smoother than the low-profile 20s and 245s. I don’t mind the taller sidewalls on the highway. Overall, I definitely prefer the ride/drive with the 17s.
Oh and the look too.

 

They should come in like that in the US too.

 

@david9962000 you don't mean with 18" wheels, right? I love bigger brakes, but otherwise, smaller wheels are better.

 

I really like the look of those wheels. Thanks for sharing.

TimG

 

That is strange. That wheel/tire size is 3" smaller diameter than the standard 265/70/17 tires on SR5, etc.

 

Looks like South America even the 4Runner seems to get smaller tires like the Prado.


4Runner specs -





Prado specs-

 

Maybe due to the availability of the tires? 3" is 10% difference and enough to require the speedometer to be recalibrated. Interesting.

 

https://naviks.com/i-24077033-2020-...dio-input-interface.html?ref=category:1207169

 

How much of a lift do you have on the Ironman FCP suspension? I am trying to lift my limited with a 2.5-3 inch lift to support my 285/70R17.

 

21/4 inch front & 1.5 inch rear

Here's the detail video if you are interested -
https://youtu.be/Xrp-LYkTLf8?feature=shared