15in. vs 16in. rims

[swerks]

whats the difference other than the obvious 1 in. ???????

[all_terrain17]

In terms of tires...

16 inch is a "passenger" tire using mostly the metric system of tire measurement e.g. P285/75R16

15 inch is a "truck" tire using your standard system e.g. 33x12.5R15

Generally tires using 16 inch rims are more expensive...

Correct me if I'm a :lliar:

[swerks]

but is there a difference in performance off road, on road, is all just for looks????

[Good Times]

if you compare the same tire on the 15" vs 16" on the 15" you get more sidewal on the tire thus giving you a larger footprint when you air down for offroading. so ideally speaking the 15" would be a better option if available. basically means you get more rubber compared to the 16". $$ is also a factor too cuz it's much cheaper on the 15's.

Now when you get to the larger tires such as 40+ then I think you get to a point where you need larger wheels to accommodate for the tire size but I'm not certain at what point.

good luck!

[slosurfer]

Also in this day and age, 15 in. rims are not an option. I know on my new taco, I can't go to 15's because of the brakes. I really wanted to be able to have 15's on both the taco and my 4runner.

[Paul H.]

In terms of tires...

16 inch is a "passenger" tire using mostly the metric system of tire measurement e.g. P285/75R16

15 inch is a "truck" tire using your standard system e.g. 33x12.5R15

Generally tires using 16 inch rims are more expensive...

Correct me if I'm a :lliar:


Actually, 15 inch can also be car and light truck tires as in 245/75r-15. With Toyota trucks, 16 inch will fit where 15 inch once were but not vice versa.

[881stGenRunner]

that is something i have always wondered. Why is a tire in a 16" wheel more expensive that a tire for a 15" wheel? THe 15 requires that much more rubber.

[SLC Punk]

that is something i have always wondered. Why is a tire in a 16" wheel more expensive that a tire for a 15" wheel? THe 15 requires that much more rubber.

For car applications, it is because the sidewall is shorter, and thus needs to be stronger. For truck tires, not sure..

[Peter]

Also in this day and age, 15 in. rims are not an option. I know on my new taco, I can't go to 15's because of the brakes. I really wanted to be able to have 15's on both the taco and my 4runner.


So the new Tacomas don't have enough clearance?
I know I can find 15 wheels with enough space to fit my Tacoma. I just don't have the $ or time.

[slosurfer]

So the new Tacomas don't have enough clearance?
I know I can find 15 wheels with enough space to fit my Tacoma. I just don't have the $ or time.


From what I have read, 15's will not fit on new ones. I think 15's may fit on 2wd models but I am not certain. I read it all awhile ago over on ttora.

[d0ubledown]

plus, more and more newer vehicles are coming out with bigger oem wheels now whether or not they need to clear bigger brakes. 15's have more sizes available. i think most people nowadays (here anyways) are skipping the 16's and going to 17's for bigger meats.

17's are the new 15's..but i like my 16's.