Improving looks of 2003 Tundra AC

[eds72]

The original tires on my '03 are about done, and I'd like to upgrade the appearance of my truck. IMO, the '03 with the big azz flares and the stock wheels/tires just doesn't quite look right. I'd like to correct this.

First, I REALLY like the looks of the 16" TRD wheels from the FJ Cruiser. After reading the threads here, it appears those will bolt right up to the '03, so I have been looking around for a set of those. Next, I plan to add a set of some *slightly* more aggressive looking tires. My truck is mostly driven on paved roads - so I don't want to take much of a hit in terms of road noise or fuel economy, but I do want something that looks a little more stout than the stock Bridgestones.

My only remaining concern is how the wheels will look relative to the flares. Personally, I just don't like the flares much - I prefer the appearance of the 00-02 trucks without the flares. Unfortunately, my reading leads me to believe that removing them would leave behind at least 1 hole. So I'm now thinking that pushing the wheels out a little bit might make them look less out of place? Do the TRD wheels I mentioned above accomplish this at all, or would I need some type of spacer/adapter? Or alternatively, has anyone removed the flares and replaced them with something that doesn't bulge out so much?

Any help/advice is appreciated.

[george60]

************************************************** *****

I have the same truck. Mine is an SR5 so it didn't come with those big heavy-looking flares of the Limited.
It had the thin metal/black plastic which is standard. I looked for flares that I would like and could find none. I took the flares off completely and I have no visible holes.
I bought the Tundra TRD wheels in 18x9 size. They are made by BBS in Germany. The tires are Michelin Cross Terrains in 275/45 size. The tires are wider and the wheels are wider giving a wider track. The edge of the tires sit just fractionally outside the wheelwell.
I run strictly street in sunny California and have had no problems.
I think they look great. Sorry no photos.
I bought the tires/wheels 3 years ago for $2000.
Regards George60

[DevinSixtySeven]

Here's a thought...keep your stock rims, get a set of 1.5" wheel adapters, and run some 255/85/16 tires. It's hard to describe what it'll look like, but if you've ever seen some of the smaller armored vehicles with the wide-set, tall & narrow tires, it's about like that. The 1.5 adapters should put those tires just barely at the outside of your fender flares. Pretty much any tall tire with an 85% aspect ratio will look that way, once you get to 37x12.5 it looks about right...tho on a 10" wide rim with a wide tire it starts looking like an overgrown moon buggy .

If you have the small, thin moulding, no holes. If you have the big flares, the ones that are a couple inches wide and tall, there are holes all along the fender.

-Sean

[eds72]

Thanks for the replies. I'm a little leery of spacers/adapters as I see lots of posts about potential dangers.

I've also changed course a bit on the wheels. I saw some photos of the Mickey Thompson Classic II on a truck similar to mine and I really like that look. In fact, I think I like them better than the TRD wheels I mentioned in the original post. Plus, it looks like the backspacing on those is different than the factory wheels - which would push the wheel/tire out closer to the width of the flares.

If I went with the MT Classic II in a 16", what is the largest tire I could fit on the truck (03, non-TRD, no lift) without a rub? Is it still 265/75/16, or does the change in backspacing make that different? Also, am I correct about the backspacing of those wheels and the effect? Will it push the tires "out" closer to the width of the flares?

[eds72]

Anyone able to comment on the max tire size for unlifted truck with the MT Classic II?

Is there a source for these wheels that folks have been happy with?

[Jetes03tundra]

265/75s

[eds72]

Thanks for the reply.

Are the MT wheels the only ones out there with a 3 5/8 (or close) backspacing?

[eds72]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I believe I'm going to pull the trigger on the MT Classic II from Summit. These are the right size, with the backspacing that "pushes" the tires out closer to even with the flares, correct?

Mickey Thompson 368412 - Mickey Thompson Classic II Wheels - summitracing.com

Thanks.