15's or 16's?

[FJBen]

On the HJ, it needs new wheels, as I'm not really partial to the standard white wagon wheel.

I can still get used/new OEM 15" wheels/hubcab for that vintage look.

It came with 16" non-split hubcab wheels which apparently I can't get/find anywhere.

I really like the 16" tires 255 85 R16 M/T, but not sure I can find a wheel in 16" that I like.

American Eagle makes one that looks similar to the later Toyota Steel wheels that looks OK,

Or there are some steelies I *might* be able to get from toyota:

 

[wesintl]

Personally, I would find some OEM 15's and put hub caps on them.

16's are kinda cool but tire sizes are kinda limited in somethin stockish size. Not to mention 16's are heavy ass tires for trucks of which an fj45 is but they are not as practical IMHO.

The 255/85/16 is really only a 33x10-10.5 of which they make in a 15 and more sizes that would fit from and offroad standpoint. If you want to run farm tires i'm sure there is an ok selection in 16's but nothing cool i've seen.

 

[ginericLC]

Another thing I would consider is the price of the tires and wheels. 16s are a ton more to buy both for wheels and tires. Another issue you will have with 16" wheels is that the backspacing will most likely be all wrong for a 45. Most 16" wheels have 4.5" backspacing or more. There are some few oddballs that have 4 or 4.25". But I'm guessing your 45 has something more along the lines of a 3.5" backspaced wheel. US wheel, Allied, and AR all make a 16x7 with 4.25" of backspacing that will fit on earlier Cruiser and this would be an ideal rim for 255/85/16 however you would effectively be narrowing the axle width by 1.5" by doing this. I subscribe to the idea that for Cruisers wider is better for axle width. Another wheel you might like the look of is this one from Cragar http://www.cragar.com/WheelSearch.asp?type=ST although looking at it again it looks like only comes in chrome. The reason I didn't suggest the 16" 80 series steel wheels or the other Toyota 16" steel wheels is backspacing will be too much for a 45. Good luck!

 

[FJBen]

I'm starting to notice that the 16" backspacing is all wrong.

The 16" factory rims are correct backspacing... 16X6 3.75BS... 15's would most likely be cheaper for sure...

 

[wesintl]

16's don't make as big a difference in backspacing as 15's. With a 16 you rim won't be close to the TRE like 15 are nor is the inside of the rim close unless they are alloys. I'm sure you can't have 6" bs but 4-5 probably wouldn't be an issue.

 

[ginericLC]

16's don't make as big a difference in backspacing as 15's. With a 16 you rim won't be close to the TRE like 15 are nor is the inside of the rim close unless they are alloys. I'm sure you can't have 6" bs but 4-5 probably wouldn't be an issue.

Except that you are narrowing the track of a heavy vehicle. Every inch counts.

 

[wesintl]

Except that you are narrowing the track of a heavy vehicle. Every inch counts.

I don't really subscribe to that theory much less on a stock height hj45.

 

[FJBen]

I don't really subscribe to that theory much less on a stock height hj45.

So you are saying SOA/4-link???



ummm...ok, I'm gonna stick with stock/2" lift...it's probably coming down to rim availability at this point. The prices between the Mud's in 33X10.50X15 and 255 85R 16 is $4.00 per tire...

 

[wesintl]

Just remember the 34x10.5 LTB's

 

[FJBen]

Just remember the 34x10.5 LTB's

I like the looks, but have heard those are pretty bad on road...true??? They are definitely a cheap tire $$$ wise!

 

[MDH33]

I've been thinking about the 34x9.5x15 ss tsl's for my stock steel wheels. Would the 34x10.5x15 ltb's be too wide??

 

[wesintl]

I like the looks, but have heard those are pretty bad on road...true??? They are definitely a cheap tire $$$ wise!

They are awesome off road.

I get 30k out of my swampers but if you've seen the tires on my 70 you know how I get 30k


I'm just not a fan of the tri TP sidewall bfg's

 

[bustanutley]

17's