Winter Snows, Steel rims . . .Brrrr

[pcosens]

I did a quick search for previous threads on this topic - pls forgive me if this is old news . . .

- Applies to '03 Tundra Access Cab 4x4 V8 -

I live in Ontario, Canada and have to face some rather nasty winter driving conditions. I've decided to go with dedicated snows (likely Michelin 4x4 Alpin 265/70/16) and need some input as to rims to use (Factory aluminum rims + baked on road salt = trouble + destroyed wheels). I'm considering purchasing some additional steel Toyota "spare" rims (already have 2 of 'em) and using these for the winter. Q's follow:

1 Does anyone have input as to long term drivability of the Toyota steel rims - increased unsprung weight, rim offset, rim width itself?

2 Any alternatives, given that Toyota wants $500.00 EACH for factory aluminum rims, non OEM steel alternatives seem to be in short supply here. Wreckers do NOT have any Tundras at all ;-(

3 I'm close enough to upper NY State (Buffalo) to make a run if anyone knows of good options available there.

Thanks for your input,

Paul

[mike.elmes]

Hey fella,


Canadian Tire is advertising steel winter rims and snow tires.....get a quote.

I just put a set of Michelin LTX A/S on and in Edmonton, so far they are really good but Alpin's would be better on ice as there is more siping.

mike

[pcosens]

Thanks - how could I have missed going to Cdn Trash?????

I'm embarrased to admit that ;-)


Still interested in drivability of the stock steel rims . . . .
P

[DevinSixtySeven]

check out the classifieds here for people selling their old rims. also, tundra-gearhead just had his stock alloy rims powdercoated black, they look very good and would withstand a salty winter.

-sean

*edit* just got a set of nokian hakka lt put on my dad's truck for our road trip...mike, we'll be passing thru calgary and edmonton on saturday i believe ...

[mike.elmes]

Originally Posted by DeepStealth

check out the classifieds here for people selling their old rims. also, tundra-gearhead just had his stock alloy rims powdercoated black, they look very good and would withstand a salty winter.

-sean

*edit* just got a set of nokian hakka lt put on my dad's truck for our road trip...mike, we'll be passing thru calgary and edmonton on saturday i believe ...

Sean...call me if you come through Edm. 466-5332 we could show you some western Hospitality.

mike

[DJ]

You can likely find Toyota OEM aluminum wheels on ebay for one heck of a lot less than at a dealer.

Beware one thing: Tundra OEM alloy wheels are hub-centric, but the Tundra OEM steel wheels are lug-centric. Make sure you get the balanced properly.

[pcosens]

Originally Posted by DJ

Beware one thing: Tundra OEM alloy wheels are hub-centric, but the Tundra OEM steel wheels are lug-centric. Make sure you get the balanced properly.

Thanks - that's what I need to know. I believe there is 1" difference in rim width as well - I'll have to get out the tape measure to confirm.

For the Cdns . . .

Cdn Tire does NOT seem to have the wheel size - only $10 cheaper than the OEM steel wheel anyways.

P

[Boxer]

Well Boys!

Good to hear from some fellow canadians, I'm all the way on the other end... the rock... I'm trying to make a selection of steel wheels also. I checked Toyota
($86.00) Walmart ($46.00) and Canadian tire ($56.00) per rim. Thinking of going with the Canadian Tire ones, have to look at them first, I have a set of Baja Radial M&S (240/70) to go on, I had them on my last Toyota and worked wonderfully in the 21' winter we had a few years back.

My 2 cents.
Boxer

[KLS]

Paul,

Is an order from TireRack an option for you, maybe to someone in Buffalo? Their winter tires on OEM steel wheels are a pretty good deal--if they still have any. I like the Bridgestone Winter Dueler DM-Z2 tires they sell, and they come in P245/75-16.


DJ,
My OEM styled steel wheels are hub centric...they're a snug fit on the hubs with locating lugs to provide that fit.


Ken

[pcosens]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Well Boys!
I had them on my last Toyota and worked wonderfully in the 21' winter we had a few years back.My 2 cents.
Boxer

I can just hear all of the So Cal guys and the Fla guys . . . .

Poor souls . . . why don't they just pick up and DRIVE to a civilized climate ;-).

The "hub locating vs lug locating" mentioned above is important - do we need to change lug nuts to safely use the steel wheels for 5- 6 months? MUCH different than a one time trip to the tire repair shop whilst the alloy rim is re-shod!

Anyone know the rim size / offset for the factory steel spare? (I know, lazy - just go and measure it)

The Cdn Tire rims are 7" I believe, unknown offset.

[mike.elmes]

Hey Boxer....nice to see some canuck on TS.That must have been an incredible winter....21 feet of snow. Snow tires NOT optional.

Originally Posted by Boxer

Well Boys!

Good to hear from some fellow canadians, I'm all the way on the other end... the rock... I'm trying to make a selection of steel wheels also. I checked Toyota
($86.00) Walmart ($46.00) and Canadian tire ($56.00) per rim. Thinking of going with the Canadian Tire ones, have to look at them first, I have a set of Baja Radial M&S (240/70) to go on, I had them on my last Toyota and worked wonderfully in the 21' winter we had a few years back.

My 2 cents.
Boxer

[KLS]

All Tundra stock 16" wheels have 7" wide rims, alloy & steel. I think you'll need new lug nuts for the steel wheels.


Ken

[DJ]

Originally Posted by pcosens

I can just hear all of the So Cal guys and the Fla guys . . . .

Poor souls . . . why don't they just pick up and DRIVE to a civilized climate ;-).

The "hub locating vs lug locating" mentioned above is important - do we need to change lug nuts to safely use the steel wheels for 5- 6 months? MUCH different than a one time trip to the tire repair shop whilst the alloy rim is re-shod!

Anyone know the rim size / offset for the factory steel spare? (I know, lazy - just go and measure it)

The Cdn Tire rims are 7" I believe, unknown offset.

My Tundra has factory OEM alloy wheels with a factory OEM steel spare. The lug nugs for the alloy wheels work with the steel wheel also. With the alloy wheels, the lug nuts fit through a larger hole in the wheel and a flat washer on the lug nut mates with a flat recess milled around the hole. With the steel wheel, the lug nuts fit against a smaller hole in the wheel and the tapered end of the lug nut mates with the tapered entrance to the hole.

That's actually a pretty elegant design, as it saves Toyota money to use a steel wheel for a spare. I don't mind -- I've used the spare once, only for about ten miles.

But, I would use different lug nuts for the steel wheels if I used steel wheels exclusively. The chrome lug nuts for the alloy wheels look pretty silly when used with the steel wheels.

[pcosens]

Summary and closure for this thread . . . .

Toyota Canada is having a "Big Sale" on all steel wheels, all @ the same price - Cdn $80. (Must have heard our discussion)

1 All steel wheels (and alloy as indicated above) are 16x7

2 Offset is the same for all.

3 There are specific lug nuts for alloy AND for steel (A, B, C or D in Toyota speak) - steel are simple acorns - again as stated earlier in discussion, thanks. A local Toyota dealer has some nice capped triple chrome acorns for reasonable $$$ (I'll need 24 of 'em w/o any spares ;-(.

4 Toyota Canada seems to have some nice steel wheels - just have to see a real wheel vs line drawing to make my decision (probably these wheels are optional/standard on the US version of the vehicle - I'll hit the US web site.

5 On the steel rust vs aluminum corrosion issue - we (unfortunates) face extreme salt exposure and wildly varying temps during winter that seem to be able to unseal ALL aluminum rims in very short order - not uncommon to break the bead and "brush, goop and reseal" your tires during the winter season, especially if the alloys have already endured one winter. Rust on steel IS an issue - but can be cleaned up more readily (read more aggressively) to keep your beater winter wheels in operation.

Thanks all for your input,

P

[teeque]

Sent you a private message.