Anyone having problems going down from an 18 inch rim to a 17 inch rim. Specifically on a hybrid Tacoma.

[Backcountry1]

As the title states I’d like to know if people are having problems going down to a 17” rim. I’m in a trailhunter and I think I’ll be getting some method’s in the summer.
I like the idea of having more sidewall and a better selection of C load tires in a 17” rim option.
I thought I read somewhere that the hybrid trucks have bigger or different brakes than the non hybrids but I could very well be wrong. Anyways, just looking for some info, doesn’t have to be hybrid specific. Thanks

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[jackvz]

I am also surprised how few C rated tires (265/70/18) there are for an 18” wheel

 

[HarryDaHamster]

17's will be fine. Just keep in mind the Trailhunter and Pro run much wider fender flares. So a 8.5" wide wheel with +20 to 0 offset would be perfect.

 

[MustardTiger]

I have a TRD OR hybrid, and went with 17 inch methods with 285/70 SL tires. It is true that the brakes are a little larger…and the hybrids also have the 9.5 inch Tundra rear end. Anyways…I haven’t had any issues so far with going down a size in wheel. However, the last few days I’ve driven snowstorm conditions, hitting large drifts and even dragging as the snow was so deep. The wheels at the rear got caked with snow along the inside of the rim, which then will scrape on the caliper, and freeze up after parked for a while. This is not uncommon, and any other vehicle will do it too…however I remember there being a recall for a brake line rubbing on the wheel…and I think it was pertinent to the lower trim trucks with 17 inch wheels. So I might get under the truck and see if I can spot any potential issues in the making

 

[Lando]

I have a TRD Off Road and have been thinking the opposite. I’m considering the stock 18” Off Road wheels to replace my 17”.

 

[jackvz]

I have a TRD OR hybrid, and went with 17 inch methods with 285/70 SL tires. It is true that the brakes are a little larger…and the hybrids also have the 9.5 inch Tundra rear end. Anyways…I haven’t had any issues so far with going down a size in wheel. However, the last few days I’ve driven snowstorm conditions, hitting large drifts and even dragging as the snow was so deep. The wheels at the rear got caked with snow along the inside of the rim, which then will scrape on the caliper, and freeze up after parked for a while. This is not uncommon, and any other vehicle will do it too…however I remember there being a recall for a brake line rubbing on the wheel…and I think it was pertinent to the lower trim trucks with 17 inch wheels. So I might get under the truck and see if I can spot any potential issues in the making

What do you mean by the hybrids have a 9.5” tundra rear end??

 

[MustardTiger]

@jackvz

The front differential size is 8.0"
The rear differential size is 9.5" (Hybrid and TRD M/T, same as 2022+ Tundra), the Non-Hybrid A/T and non-TRD M/T is smaller (8.2")

 

[TomsDad]

I picked up some used 17" rims for my snow tires on my TR. When I dry-fitted them, I noticed the adhesive wheel weights rubbed slightly on the calipers in the rear. So be careful where the balance weights are placed, or use the rim-attached style.

 

[stuckinsocal]

I have a TRD Off Road and have been thinking the opposite. I’m considering the stock 18” Off Road wheels to replace my 17”.

That is what I did, I wanted real 33s (285/70r17 is just short; 32.7) but without going too wide (295s) or getting close to the 34s (285/75r17) since I want to be able to fit a full size spare under the truck bed. Pizza cutters have very few tire options available (255/80r17) and they are all load E anyway. With the 18's I can get 275/70r18 which are true 33s, not too wide, and have excellent tire options available. Sure, they are E load, but with 255s it is the same situation and getting a flat on a trail is something I've prepared for but would really like to avoid.

 

[stuckinsocal]

@jackvz

The front differential size is 8.0"
The rear differential size is 9.5" (Hybrid and TRD M/T, same as 2022+ Tundra), the Non-Hybrid A/T and non-TRD M/T is smaller (8.2")

Oh I did hear something like that; good to know when I eventually pickup the trailhunter diff diaper. I wanted a manual transmission so I've been slowly picking up OEM / OEM plus parts to slowly make my own manual "trailhunter". I love the trailhunter, so many OEM parts to upgrade a TRD OR. Now if Toyota would only release the snorkel.......

 

[Amorak]

That is what I did, I wanted real 33s (285/70r17 is just short; 32.7) but without going too wide (295s) or getting close to the 34s (285/75r17) since I want to be able to fit a full size spare under the truck bed. Pizza cutters have very few tire options available (255/80r17) and they are all load E anyway. With the 18's I can get 275/70r18 which are true 33s, not too wide, and have excellent tire options available. Sure, they are E load, but with 255s it is the same situation and getting a flat on a trail is something I've prepared for but would really like to avoid.

Not "down with" heavy tires on a mid size truck...
I put on Nitto Terra Grappler G3's. The largest SL tire I believe offered for 18" wheel (TRD Pro wheels, year after year, are so good looking - I have zero interest in 3rd party wheels) 275/70r18

 

[MustardTiger]

@Amorak SL tires are definitely the way to go on a Tacoma! These little trucks aren't Super Duty's

 

[stuckinsocal]

Not "down with" heavy tires on a mid size truck...
I put on Nitto Terra Grappler G3's. The largest SL tire I believe offered for 18" wheel (TRD Pro wheels, year after year, are so good looking - I have zero interest in 3rd party wheels) 275/70r18

Those wheels sure are nice; I traded with someone who had the TRD OR hybrid wheels (no they did not have a hybrid truck; they were takeoffs from yet another truck) , which are the same design but 18 instead of 17. Essentially free, which is always nice. If I were spending money I'd definitely go with one of TRD's offerings.

As for SL... they ride nice for sure, but you do trade the raw thickness and strength of LT tires on the trail. As with anything there are always tradeoffs. I've gotten some chunks torn out of my thread on the local trails and while nothing bad has happened a flat would put a real damper on my day. For someone without my concerns I'd definitely recommend SL as well.

 

[oxi]

My 2025 Camry awd, for winter went from 18's to 16's with the Blizzak's.

On my old 2022 Corolla, went from 18's to 15's with the Blizzak's for winter.

 

[jackvz]

My 2025 Camry awd, for winter went from 18's to 16's with the Blizzak's.

On my old 2022 Corolla, went from 18's to 15's with the Blizzak's for winter.

Did you mean to post this in a different thread?

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