wheels

Hi Rus51

I think most split rims have just been thrown out , total
tyres in melb once gave me 2 for nothing as I was making
a stand for a beach umbrella. Occasionally you see them
in trading post.

Standard ones are often 5.5inch/ 16inch and hence undersized for
31 10r15 tyres

The rims themselves are heavier than aftermarket ones and hence
do not help fuel use or suspension life due to increased
unsprung weight.
I get a good bead breaker if changing tyres is your concern.

Fuel consumption as it relates to tyres is not basically related to friction
rather it is affected by bending of rubber tread.

Where tread touches the road its is flat, as it moves off the road
it becomes round and forms an angle with the road.

This angle is the problem , the larger the change the more rubber bends
and more heat is generated.

From above it follows that --

1/ higher tyre pressure will improve consumption as bend angle
is reduced.

2/ Thinner and smoother tread will help (hence muddies are always
worse if all else equal.

3/ Larger diameter wheel/tyre will improve things.

4/ Stiffer compounds, thicker sidewalls will also make mileage worse.

If looking for a reccomendation I'd use Toyo Opats or similar in 235/85/16 on 16X7 trak 11 rims (roh).

Robin Miller

Russ,
The small amount you'll save on diesel, will be lost on tube fatigue, punctures and increased wear with the splitties.

You may want to consider the tubeless 16x6 rims fitted to the Navara, or the 3litre petrol GQ models. Can fit the 235/85R16 to those rims, and get the benefits you are looking for.