4Nmissile

Alright here's the story for this thread. I want to upgrade my wheels which are whitish steelys with red and blue pinstripes around the outsides right now (I'm so American). Actually, they came that way when I bought the truck. I own a 1985 Toyota pickup that has been rested on an unknown year (but probably 80's) Toyota 4Runner frame and axles. The wheels are 15 inches on size 31x10.5r15 tires. I like the wheels, but would like something that looks better. I found a beautiful set of (4) 96-02 4Runner split three spoke wheels, but they are 16 inches. I did some research and searching on here and on google to find similar size tires that would fit on the 16 inch wheels. I want to keep roughly the same size diameter tire (31x10.5r15) but for the 16 inch wheels. The closest I could find for 16s was 245/75r16. Will those year 4Runner wheels work on my truck without any issues (offset, rubbing, brake size, etc.)? Has anyone else done this before and how was it ridewise, comfort, overall happiness with it? Does anyone have anything they can add or help shed some light on me that I am missing?

Luvmeye22re

The wheels and that size tire will work fine although most companies make 31 x 10.5 r16 tires so you could always go that route as well.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

I believe 265/16 is what you want. They are 31" equivalent. BTW those 3 spoke Toyota wheels came in both 15 and 16". I think the 15s are on earlier tacomas and 4runners (like up to 1998 or so) and the 16s were on the later models until the body change.

If you have 15s now, 16s will fit w/o any caliper/brake rub. I believe Toyota kept all same wheel specs in terms of width and backspacing.

4Nmissile

Thanks for the responses. I didn't know many companies make 31X10.5r16. I will have to look into that. Thanks for all the wheel info highonpottery. That helps me alot. BTW, when you say 265/16 is the 31" equivalent, do you mean 265/75r16 (instead of the 245/75r16 that I was looking at)? I know the 245/75r16 show the speedometer as a little slower than the 31x10.5r15. Let me know about the 265s if they would be closer to the same size. I will look into both since not all tire brands have every size.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

Metric tire sizes confuse a lot of people, like me especially. First number is width in mm, then the 2nd number is sidewall height based on aspect ratio between tread width and the number/percentage shown. So a 265/75/16 has 265mm width, and sidewall height is 75% of that (198.75mm), on a 16" rim.

Best thing to do would jump on tirerack.com and look at sizes of different brands you're considering. I just know that for most manufacturers, the 265/75/16 is going to be closest to a 31x10.5x15 in terms of width and height. 245/75/16 is around 30.5/9.6/16.

4Nmissile

Yeah, metric conversions and the numbers in general have always made me scratch my head. I will look for 265/75r16 and 31x10.5r16. I ended up getting those 1999 Toyota 4Runner split three spoke wheels, so I will need good tires for them. I don't know if I will get the tires before or after the winter season as the wheels could use a bit of a cleaning first. They have some scuffs and the typical residue from wheel weights, etc. I will have to see how much the local powdercoating place can clean them up. I love the look of them though being polished aluminum.

Dirt Driver

That's a 32" tire. Not an enormous difference, but enough to make the speedometer read a few mph slow. A 265/70-R16 will have the same height as a 265/75-R15, which is functionally equivalent to a 31x10.5.

Taller rim + same tire height + same tire width = smaller aspect ratio.

4Nmissile

Thanks Dirt Driver. I definitely don't want my speedometer being off that much. I will look for a set of 265/70r16 tires. I haven't gotten the wheels yet, but they will get paid for soon.

aa1911

iTrader: (1)

yes, 265/70 R16 is roughly 31" (stock-ish)

265/75/R16 is what I'm running on my taco, lost about 1mpg (mostly from the steel wheels, not the tire size) which are 31.7" or 32's

to correct the speedometer or gas mileage, multiply your gauge reading for miles by 1.03 to get the actualy distance. Same for speed (3% increase)

but I would vote for the 265/70 R16's, will do you well I think and keep your speedo and mileage accurate

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

just remember that not every brand or model within the brand of tire will fit the exact size you're looking for, but they will usually have a size that's very close. for example: although 265/70/16 is technically the "31" tire you want, the actual tire model you want might only come in a 245/75/16 (30.5") or a 265/75/16 (31.7") - the example I used is a GY Duratrac

besides....a 31" tire is technically oversize for an 85 Yota, so your speedo is most likely already off if you're running 31s, since the stock size is a 28/29" tire

post up some pics when you get your new shoes, we always like pics!

4Nmissile

I'll get some pictures on here as soon as I get it all done. My main concern is just keeping the speedometer reading as close to stock as possible since this truck will be my daily driver. Down the road though, I might just get some larger tires just in case I happen to drive off the road on a completely closed off course, if there are any officers reading this . I actually have a set of 36" tires that I was thinking about selling depending on how much my engine transplant costs me, but that is getting off topic and more for my build thread.