Wheels for Snow Tires on 2009 4runner

[ccwaskier]

Anyone have a recommendation for wheels to mount snow tires on for a 2009 4runner sport? The stock wheels are 17 inches. I asked at discount tire about steels wheels and they said with that big of a wheels steel wheels will decrease gas mileage, so they recommended a cheap set of aluminum wheels. I am not that into the look of cheap after market rims, so I would prefer to get steel wheels if they don't hurt mileage too much or look on craigslist for a second set of stock 4runner wheels. I have also heard FJ cruiser wheels will fit? Any recommendations?

[kbahus]

I see 4-runner wheels on Craigslist all the time. Unless you need a dedicated studded snow tire I would highly recommend Goodyear Duratrac tires for four season use. They are snow rated and would serve you well with the added bonus of not having to buy and install a second set of wheels/tires. I had them on my FJ80 last year and they were as good as it gets for Colorado snow, offroad, and great street manners. If you need to they can be studded as well.

Here is a good thread with lots of info on the tire:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/412963-duratracs-good-compromise-everything.html

[scottyb]

The up side of steel wheels besides less expense is if bent(not bad) they can be hammered out and used to get you home.

I have always liked having a spare set of wheels and tires(snow) for any vehicle. Last year I finally picked up a set of steel wheels and HakV studded snows for my VW Jetta.

We got a 2011 4R this year and will run on the stock tires this winter to see how they do but will have a set of chains/cables to slap on if needed.

[XXX-er]

you are already moving one shit load of steel around I don't think the the weight of steel wheels will matter but if the circumfrence of the wheel is smaller it lowers gearing slightly

buying extra steel rims pay for themslerves in > 3yrs of changeovers and you can always sell the winter wheeels & tires seperate from the car ... steelies are a good idea

[El Chupacabra]

The up side of steel wheels besides less expense is if bent(not bad) they can be hammered out and used to get you home.

Back when I was into Jeeps and 4 wheeling, I used to hear this a lot.

I never once observed anyone actually hammering steel wheels back into shape on the trail, much less the street. It just doesn't happen much. Wheelers use steel wheels because they're cheap and hold up to bashing into rocks well (scrape/gouge, rather than chip/chunk like aluminum).

IMHO, and what I did with my 4Runner, was to watch craigslist until you find a cheap set of OEM wheels that fit. If you have the smaller front brakes (SR5 model 4Runner in the 4th gen), then you can use 16" wheels also. If you have the larger front brakes (Sport and Ltd models in the 4th gen), then you have to use 17" wheels at a minimum. Any Toyota 6-bolt pattern will fit: Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, T100, Sequoia, and the Lexus versions.