What have I done!?!

[t4orce Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close t4orce]

I've been lurking for a while, ever since I bought my 120 GXL.

I gave into male weakness when I needed to replace tyres and I went with 20x9 rims with +18 offset. They are fitted to Falken Wildpeak AT 285/50 x 20.






Whilst it looks great and retains offroad abilities, I've made my Prado rubbish to drive around. Despite custom made hub rings and balancing efforts, there's lack of feel and twitchiness in the steering at freeway speeds. Fuel economy has suffered because of the added weight.

The offroading I mainly do is on the sand and the factory tyres were adequate for that. I haven't taken these offroad yet because I've been having the above on road issues.

Is this a common thing amongst owners with larger AT tyres? I've read on the interwebs that running more pressure might help around town.

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

I learnt a long time ago to be very careful when choosing or thinking of modifications to a vehicle.

From what you have outlined I would venture that the wheels and tyres you have chosen are not an improvement in term of vehicle ability.

The styling aspect is a personal perspective.

When it comes to off road vehicles I really don't care what it looks like. If the mod or accessory is an improvement, its worth considering.

[mrkrinkle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mrkrinkle]

What tyre pressures are you running currently?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Been so wide they will track. When we had our commodore we went wider and bigger rolling diameter, while it felt better when hunting it through some bends it was shocking for tracking (follow any hollows in the road) We eventually went back to the factory alloys it come with and was so much better to drive, smoother, better on fuel, and the steering felt so much better. Not sure how you will go running a 50 profile when its time to hit some beaches/sand. 50 profile doesn't give it much to balloon out so you would need to be careful. You would see an increase in fuel usage as well (probably minimal) but it will handle better on road. Other option is to use those for around town and grab yourself some steel rims for off road that way your not going to scratch them nice looking rims which is bound to happen...........Id be running 40psi in them around town...Hub Rings, legal ??.....Cheers Steve

[t4orce Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close t4orce]

I read good reviews about the tyres performance off/on road and were recommended by the tyre shop. I think it's only running 36psi and I'm thinking of going up to 40psi.

The hub rings centre the rim on the hub to tale strain off the studs and are common for aftermarket rims on all cars.

I've changed rims on many cars and its been ok. I guess 4wds are more sensitive and yes being wider it probably tracks more as well.

It's not too bad depending on the type of road. For Perthies, I found Kwinana Freeway better than Roe Hwy for some reason.

My bad. Should have left things alone.

[CaLLaN 52 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close CaLLaN 52]

Hi t4orce, should have kept the 17'' alloys & painted em black like i did, looks great & drives great

Cheers

Steve J

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Hi t4orce, should have kept the 17'' alloys & painted em black like i did, looks great & drives great

Cheers

Steve J

You are a Sik pup Stevo, looks great! but I never thought I could have talked you into doing that to your wheels :-)
Did you remove the tyres? What sort of paint? Nice.

[t4orce Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close t4orce]

Steve, that looks great. I considered that as well but got lured into the tough concave look. Side profile pic below. Unfortunately lesson learned here is function over form.



I still have the stock rims. I might plasti dip them matte black and peel it off if I don't like it.

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

Hi t4orce, should have kept the 17'' alloys & painted em black like i did, looks great & drives great

Cheers

Steve J

What's with the black rim look? I might be old fashioned, but I like my rims to stand out from the tyres. Then again I also like white lettering:-)

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

What's with the black rim look? I might be old fashioned, but I like my rims to stand out from the tyres. Then again I also like white lettering:-)

I am not a fan of the white lettering, but I agree about the black rims. Each to their own but I just don't get the facination with Black rims. When I was growing up everything had black rims and all we wanted to do was get something shiny. Now everything comes with shiny wheels and we want to go black

Cheers Andrew

[t4orce Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close t4orce]

I have a feeling that black is to combat the trend a few years ago of chrome dubs. Plus it's for lazy people who can't be bothered cleaning brake dust every day.

[CaLLaN 52 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close CaLLaN 52]

Hi ####, nah did'nt remove tyres, but lots of prep,
& t4orce, still have to look after them or
They soon look crap

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I've got 295s on 10 inch wide rims on the back of my Cobra and it gets sucked into those big valleys caused by heavy road trains along the major highways. It sometimes can get a little untidy when you put the foot down to pass a vehicle and then, as you pull back across to the left, the car starts to weave as those big boots ride up and down the ridges.

[CaLLaN 52 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close CaLLaN 52]

They say Black IS The new Chrome, anyways i reckon black rims improves the looks, & t4orce your truck looks GREAT!
####, ive always wanted to get Black Rims.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Black= tough truck!!!!


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.