20" vs 17"

[NvrFinished]

I've always thought that 20's on small and midsize 4x4's were for posers (no disrespect intended). In other words, guys that like the idea of an off road looking truck, but have no idea of the tire wheel relationship for off road. They just think it looks cool, so they must be cool if they run them as well.

The short sidewalls don't air down well and provide much less protection from rocks and other objects. In addition, you want a long footprint for off road, not a wide foot print that is shorter. That type of footprint is best for handling and sports cars.

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[Motorpsychology]

That's really a matter of personal taste--as others have suggested, I think big wheels look idiotic and they make me wonder if someone doesn't understand why the rubber is there at all. To each their own.

The bigger, the badder...

 

[Desert_5G]

depends what you want. Looks go 20's. Or work/play functionality go 17's. Unless its a full size truck I don't think 20's look good on a mid size truck.

 

[HenryMac]

depends what you want. Looks go 20's. Or work/play functionality go 17's. Unless its a full size truck I don't think 20's look good on a mid size truck.

Full Size... Well why go 20's when you can go 30"s

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[Langwilliams]

I like a beefy sidewall on a truck myself. From what my son in law's brother was saying he can run 35's on his wrangler with stock axles with 20" wheels but with 17 or 18 inch wheels he has to upgrade his axles. That tells me the thinner side wall saves a lot of weight. The same diameter tire on a 20" rim might get better gas mileage but the thinner side wall exposes the wheel to damage. You might be able to sell your current tires an wheels to recover some cash.

we all have different priorities on what we want on our trucks an what we want out of them. I want decent MPGs an quick acceleration over off road ability. When I look at tires I put a premium on weight since it will affect acceleration an mpgs. I just want to be able to hit a trail if I want an maybe get to a fishing or shooting spot.

 

[Frenchy]

Im still on my quest in near future to order some RTR black satin wheels, but man I am really torn on what size to go with. My current Toyo AT2 tires only have 3000 miles on them, so benefit to staying with 17" is saving money.

But damn... 20" looks so good...

Another benefit to 17 over 20 is the fact you have MORE side wall which means better ride overall and when you go off road you have less chance of damaging a tire and wheel when you air down..... That is if you have the ability too. If going off road stick with the 17 inch wheel. You could do the 18 inch if you really want to but 17 would be better. If staying on the street and want a high speed rated tire then 20 would be the way to go.

 

[Adventure Ranger]

Stay with the 17’s if you go off road - especially if you “air down”
20” don’t have much of a sidewall and are a much stiffer tire because of it. Getting a good “grab” over boulders is hard. If your gonna air down- forget 20’s , you’ll just damage your rims.

 

[GTGallop]

Your Money.
Your Truck.

Personally I'm happy with my 17s and won't ever go bigger. I can see 18s as a maybe if I had to but I want more side wall than wheel so I'm sticking where I am now. Too much Off Road Performance to lose with bigger wheels and lower profile tires.

 

[RANGER_MARC]

Your Money.
Your Truck.

Personally I'm happy with my 17s and won't ever go bigger. I can see 18s as a maybe if I had to but I want more side wall than wheel so I'm sticking where I am now. Too much Off Road Performance to lose with bigger wheels and lower profile tires.

For my part, I am satisfied with the 18s that came with the B.A.P. on my Lariat, and, not being made of money, won't change them out during the life of this vehicle, but next time around, when I get another Ranger (Tremor or Raptor, depending on what they have to offer), I will go with 17s in the interest of ride quality.

 

[Ranger Danger01]

The bigger, the badder...

Good lord....WHY???? Why do people put little rubber/street tires when the truck is a 4x4. WTF!!! Never understood this...

 

[P. A. Schilke]

HI Alex,

Because Ford Marketing is all about appearance they have no clue on function. My Nautilus has 21" wheels....Pretty close to just installing a rubber band over the rim.... All for looks...Impact harshness on this close to $80K vehicle is deplorable when tires are set cold to door label. Not enough side wall on the tire. JMO...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Rinn69]

Good lord....WHY???? Why do people put little rubber/street tires when the truck is a 4x4. WTF!!! Never understood this...

My truck will get lowered, and ride on it's current wheel/tire combo, and stay on paved or gravel roads....not a lot of mountains or off-road parks/trails in Iowa. I'm doing it because I like the way it handles. Yes, mine is 4x4, but I rarely go "off-road", and I don't live out west where a higher clearance is often needed, even on forest service roads. I wanted the 4x4 for winter driving and the occasional farm/field driveway that might require it.

I remember in one post from a while back where someone said something about "lowering the truck and pushing it to it's unintended limits".....I chuckled to myself, and kept thinking "you're going to lift it, put big, heavy wheels and tires (with no brake upgrade), and go banging and slamming around rocks and boulders that weigh waaaay more than your truck....and I'M "pushing it BEYOND it's limits ?!?!?" Give me a break !!!

I'll do whatever I want to with my truck and you can do whatever you want to with your truck and we'll both be happy

 

[Frenchy]

My truck will get lowered, and ride on it's current wheel/tire combo, and stay on paved or gravel roads....not a lot of mountains or off-road parks/trails in Iowa. I'm doing it because I like the way it handles. Yes, mine is 4x4, but I rarely go "off-road", and I don't live out west where a higher clearance is often needed, even on forest service roads. I wanted the 4x4 for winter driving and the occasional farm/field driveway that might require it.

I remember in one post from a while back where someone said something about "lowering the truck and pushing it to it's unintended limits".....I chuckled to myself, and kept thinking "you're going to lift it, put big, heavy wheels and tires (with no brake upgrade), and go banging and slamming around rocks and boulders that weigh waaaay more than your truck....and I'M "pushing it BEYOND it's limits ?!?!?" Give me a break !!!

I'll do whatever I want to with my truck and you can do whatever you want to with your truck and we'll both be happy

If I'm not mistaken arent the only Off road spots in the corn fields put there?! Lol

 

[Rinn69]

If I'm not mistaken arent the only Off road spots in the corn fields put there?! Lol

Pretty much

 

[GTGallop]

Good lord....WHY???? Why do people put little rubber/street tires when the truck is a 4x4. WTF!!! Never understood this...

Because no one can see it if you bedazzle your nuts with glitter.

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