Offset Info / rear strut clearance

[Isyron]

Alright - so, I'm looking into getting some rims for my baby now. Gotta fill her new flares up and all. Anyone interested in offest requirements, this was what I was told by discount tire (mind you, this is a guy who has been at this location for a while, so he's no shrug, but i can't testify to him being management)

I went in to discount tire and told them what was up - checkin out 16 x 8s and needed to know the offset information for the highlander.

Turns out, atleast for 01's (tho i hear tell for 01-06), there's a rear-strut warning in place. (they computer's database has this and only this listed there for precautionary status) The guy i talked to wasn't quite sure what it meant to him or myself, so he called up someone else. The guy on the phone, the specialist beyond this gentleman helping me, says that any offset +25 or over will work for the HL.

So then, according to discount tire, any wheel with an offset of 25+ or more will work for the HL. I would certainly double check that, since it's a big thing to be worried about, but I hear a couple people talk about watchin out for that damn'ed rear strut. So there you go. 25+ offest or more and you're right as rain on that rear strut.

[LifeTech]

For arguments sake, what is the actual rim offset of your Factory 16" wheel.

It should be stamped on the inside of the wheel if yu remove one or even the spare tire. If yu clean the inside of the wheel it will be visible.

The Offset measurement is also calculated to clear the Brake Caliper on the Front which is very tight. Yu will notice how the Calipers are very snug to the front rims( for cooling purposes) when compared to the rear brake calipers which are more recessed inboard.


LT

[Isyron]

I believe he said they were actually OE 20+ offset, but for any upsizing, to be certain of clearance, anything over 25+ would be fine.

So, do you mean to say that a larger +offset is going to throw my brake cooling off? I want to go 35+ on 16x8. am i going to sacrifice something like brake cooling, and if so, what's the issue there? what if i'm getting new brakes somewhere anyways?

this is something that i've been seeing for a while - the offset issue for that rear strut, so i think we shoudl try and figurr it out some, eh? OUR POWERS COMBINED (mostly yalls tho - mine, not so much :P)

[LifeTech]

The objective to getting the proper wheel size would entail trying to keep the same OE clearance at the front and rear while obtaining a wider wheel to fill your Flares. This is ideal for the original suspension geometry!

Correct???

That's what I am seeing here.
A wider wheel but with similar offset. Yu do not want TOO much of a change in offset. This will affect alot of other things if yu deviate too much.
25mm positive offset is probably in the ball park.

The hard part is trying to find a wheel that suits your taste AND is suitable in this regard.
Remember, there are hundreds of wheels out there. But, not all are the best choice even though they WILL bolt on.

LT

[Isyron]

Well, the Gear Alloy 717MB come in a 25+ offset. Really, the biggest concern I have now, since everything is looking to match up, is that they are RWD, and i dont know what that necessarily means. Does it matter if its FWD OR RWD? I dont see too many FWD wheels out there, labeled as such. And not all sites and stores advertise as either FWD OR RWD, so, this i havn't asked about to Discount Tire.

So a 35mm would not be good? stay 25? whatever's gonna keep my safe 8)

[LifeTech]

for the most part I have noticed that the HL usually get aftermarket rims designated Front wheel drive.(not rear wheel drive as in a standard Truck)

The HL in it's base form is a FWD vehicle. Having a 4WD optioned HL does not change it's inherent chassis design.

The opposite would be true for the Toyota 4Runner on the other hand. Because in it's base form it is a rear wheel inline engine drivtrain.

Some food for thought.

[dominor6]

I have a 2001. The offset on the original 16" wheels is +24. Any offset more negative than this moves the rear tires farther away from the struts. The maximum wheel size you can have without spacers is 18" with an offset of +20 or more negative; otherwise your rear tires will rub against the struts.