wheel sizes pros and cons?

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:08

ThreadID: 27381 Views:3000 Replies:10 FollowUps:2

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Coyote

I've just bought a new car with 17 inch rims (alloy) and was hoping to put my old steel 16 inch mags on it.. feel free to tell me this is Bleep stupid idea or a good one or is it just plain not possible.. The stud patterns match and all, and I've always considered the steel one to be much better for off road etc..
so feel free to give me your 2 cents wrth onthe pros/cons of up/down sizing wheels.. apart from the obvious clearance issues. Thanks

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Reply By: flappa - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:10

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:10

Depends what sort of vehicle.

On the Prado as an example 16's wont fit over the brakes without some grinding.

I dont honestly see Steel wheels being any great advantage these days , and there are some decent tyres available in 17 inch.

AnswerID: 135241

Reply By: Member - Stan (VIC) - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:37

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:37

Depends on the car but shouldn't be a problem...
What car does it go on to?

AnswerID: 135249

Reply By: Scoey - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:38

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:38

The obvious concern mentioned above of whether the weel will clear the brakes but from a personal point of view steel is better offroad. Get a ding in a steel wheel, not a huge problem, dent or crack and alloy wheel and it's useless. Just my 2 cents though!

Scoey

AnswerID: 135250

Reply By: Leroy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:50

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:50

17" tire availability in the middle of nowhere may be a consideration also.

Leroy

AnswerID: 135256

Reply By: Sea-Dog - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:51

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 15:51

Steel or good quality alloy is neither here nor there except as stated a ding in a steel wheel is not the end of the wheel...

Just remeber to pay attention to the offset of the rim or your tyres won't fit under the car or will stick out past the guards and any mention of mud will see your car plastered.

cheers

AnswerID: 135257

Reply By: Outnabout David (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 16:59

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 16:59

Damien,

I think on the Nissan they are interchangeable Ok like the 100 series Tohjo with 17's. Truckster will probably know and if not you could post on the Patrol yahoo group to get your answer.

AnswerID: 135274

Follow Up By: Coyote - Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 at 09:03

Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 at 09:03

Thanks david.. could you expand on the "Patrol Yahoo Group?" souds like they might be able to asnwer a few questions for me..

My main concern is I have great 16 inch steel mags on my 99 GU and have just bought a 05 GU with 17 inch alloys.. I guess what I want to know is - could I swap them and if so - should I???
Cheers

FollowupID: 389317

Reply By: Member - Paul P (Bris) - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 17:54

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 17:54

G'day

If your vehicle is a current model Patrol you can fit 16 in wheels and tyres. Have a look in your owners manual ( Patrol) and see the list of tyres and wheels that Nissan fits to various models.

A tyre placard is available for 265/75-16 on 8 inch JJ rims as a Nissan part.

Regards

Paul

AnswerID: 135293

Reply By: GJL 13 - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 22:35

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 at 22:35

I have just been in the Kimberleys and did a 17 inch tyre on the Tanami Rd could not get a replacement any where had to travel back to Kununurra some 600 Ks to get a tyre and I had to settle for what I could get or wait 2 weeks to get what I wanted, at this time I would recommend going 16inch if you can until 17 inch become more popular. If I had known this I would not have bought the bloody things

AnswerID: 135341

Reply By: Coyote - Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 at 08:56

Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 at 08:56

Greatt.. thanks for the advice all. looks like the 16 inch steel are a safer bet.. long term all round more convenient and durable

AnswerID: 135375

Reply By: Coyote - Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 at 09:14

Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 at 09:14

Yeah I should have been more specific.. it is a GU 4.2 (05) and I am contemplating swapping the wheels with my 99 GU 16 inch steel rims.. but I guess it is unlikey that the new 17 inch rimms will fit on the 99 GU so I don't fee like buying a whoe new set of rims for a car I'm going to sell.. might have to stick with the 17" alloys.

AnswerID: 135379