20x9 45mm Offset Rims on 2008 Highlander?

[three.ten]

Anyone fit a 20x9 rim with 45mm offset on the Highlander? A couple of wheel sites say it will fit but I'm looking for some real world experience. I'm a little worried about back spacing (not sure if that's the correct term). I believe it would stick out about 1.14" further to inside than the stock 19's. I searched the forum and didn't find any exact matches - closest was someone running 20x8.5 with a 34mm offset.

Please tell me you're running rims with the same measurements without trouble . Thanks.

[luck123]

I went through this when looking at aftermarket as well. It's been a while, but the problem is not so much wheel, but what width of tire you put on. If I recall, it was the tire that was very close to the strut because the strut goes up on an incline towards the top of tire. Wheel width was not that much of an issue.

The problem is that you're pulling the wheel and tire 10 mm (a little over 3/8") closer to the strut with the 45 mm offset (OEM is 35).

The rear tires will be the issue, where there is little clearance between the tire and the strut. If you get under there, see what you can fit between the inside of the tire and strut. If it is more than, then lets say 1/2" , then it will fit, but very tight (and this presumes you mount the OEM width (245) tire. I suspect you will get wider given the wider rim. If you add a wider tire, then you'll add half of the width increase to the 3/8" above to determine how much closer your tire will be to the strut when comparing to OEM. Frankly, I think you may be cutting it close.

For your rim, you should ensure that it won't interfere with anything as well. With the wider rim, it will be closer to the strut side by another 3/4" ( 9" rim - 7.5" OEM = 1.5, divide by two because only half goes towards the strut....1.5/2 = 3/4")

So in total (presuming my calcs are correct), the inside edge of the wheel will a little over 1 1/8" (3/8 + 3/4) closer to the strut than the OEM.

Frankly, the only way of really knowing is trying the wheel/tires on your HL. Of course, tough to do without shelling out the $ in the first place.

Another option is wheel spacers....bolt on ones only though.

Confusing, I know, but hope this helps.

[three.ten]

Thanks for the reply. I guess it's time to break out the tape measure.

I would get a wider tire - most likely 255/50. I'm not sure why but I find that the published section width for tires vary (even within the same exact tire model) and are also different than spec'd 245, 255, 266, etc. For example, Hankook Ventus 255/50R20 = 10.4" section width (published not 255/24.5) and the same tire in 265/45R20 = 10.5" section width. Also, the 255 would be about 11mm taller than stock and the 265 would be about 6mm shorter than stock. If the difference in section width is really just .1", I wonder if the 265 would be better with its slightly shorter height (you mentioned that the strut angles out towards the wheel). Anyway you're right, it's so close that the only way to be sure is probably to fit the wheel/tire. I need to dig a little deeper into the various wheel site's "guaranteed fit" policies.

I'm still holding out hope that someone here will chime in with the same fitment and no trouble.

Maybe I should just go with 19's. The rims I want, Axis Elite in Matte Black, come in 19x8 35mm and are currently half off.

[sanf]

those? very nice....

[three.ten]

Yeah, that's it but I'm starting to think they're not going to fit. The 19's obviously will but if I'm going to buy new rims, I'd prefer to get 20's. It's surprisingly hard to find a relatively simple matte black rim. My back up is probably these. They're available in 20x8.5 40mm.

[sanf]

that's nice too. post pics after u hook them up

[nogo]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead.

So did you finally get the wheels you posted? What size tire and what offset wheel did you go with?

I am seriously considering the following wheel but am concerned about fitment:



The issue is, these are 19x9.5 with an offset of 20mm.

If the OEM offset is 35 mm then going to a 9.5" wide wheel with a 20 mm offset leads to:

10 mm LESS inside clearance
40 mm extension outside

The other option is the following wheel:



This is 19x9 with a 32mm offset

16 mm LESS inside clearance
22 mm extension outside

Without spacers, looks like none of these will fit. What are other users experience?

Oh yea, planned tire size will be 265-50-19

[luck123]

Originally Posted by nogo

Sorry to bring this back from the dead.

So did you finally get the wheels you posted? What size tire and what offset wheel did you go with?

I am seriously considering the following wheel but am concerned about fitment:



The issue is, these are 19x9.5 with an offset of 20mm.

If the OEM offset is 35 mm then going to a 9.5" wide wheel with a 20 mm offset leads to:

10 mm LESS inside clearance
40 mm extension outside

The other option is the following wheel:



This is 19x9 with a 32mm offset

16 mm LESS inside clearance
22 mm extension outside

Without spacers, looks like none of these will fit. What are other users experience?

Oh yea, planned tire size will be 265-50-19

Just one note...you did not take the increased tire width into account. Keep in mind that the strut is on an angle so that it is closer at the tread point of your tire (or the side wall depending on how much your sidewall "bulges"), then at the wheel edge. So, with your increased tire width of 20 mm over the OEM 245 series, you are reducing your inside spacing by 10 mm and pushing the tire 10 mm closer to the fender, regardless of the wheel you choose.

So with the first rim, your tire would be 5 mm closer to the strut (15mm offset minus the 10 mm tire width). I don't think that will be an issue, but you have to check how much space you currently have between your tire and strut. I don't think that the rim being 10 mm closer to the strut will be a problem either, but again, check. As far as the outside edge, your tire will actually only be 25 mm further out, which I think would work ok, and give you a nice aggressive stance. I have 15 spacers on, and still have room to knock it further out. I don't think the rim being 40 mm further out is an issue...just means that your side wall will be more flush with the rim surface. Although, one would have to be concerned about possible contact with the fender under load and/or going around a corner.

As far as the 2nd wheel, that might work as well. With the increased tire width of 10 mm, but knocking it out 3 mm, the tire is only 7 mm closer to the strut. The wheel being 16 mm closer shouldn't be a problem, but again, you would have to verify how much space there is between the current OEM 19 and the strut and compare. The outside space would be 10 mm for the tire, plus 3 mm for the offset, bringing it to 13 mm, which is just under my spacers so it should be fine.

Hope that helps.

[nogo]

Thanks for the good feedback. Have been debating the style of wheel etc. for quite some time and am at the point where I will bite the bullet. Can't decide whether to go conservative (simple 5-spoke 19x8.5") or something slightly more flash (mesh-style 19.9 or 19x9.5)

Appreciate your advice!

Originally Posted by luck123

Just one note...you did not take the increased tire width into account. Keep in mind that the strut is on an angle so that it is closer at the tread point of your tire (or the side wall depending on how much your sidewall "bulges"), then at the wheel edge. So, with your increased tire width of 20 mm over the OEM 245 series, you are reducing your inside spacing by 10 mm and pushing the tire 10 mm closer to the fender, regardless of the wheel you choose.

So with the first rim, your tire would be 5 mm closer to the strut (15mm offset minus the 10 mm tire width). I don't think that will be an issue, but you have to check how much space you currently have between your tire and strut. I don't think that the rim being 10 mm closer to the strut will be a problem either, but again, check. As far as the outside edge, your tire will actually only be 25 mm further out, which I think would work ok, and give you a nice aggressive stance. I have 15 spacers on, and still have room to knock it further out. I don't think the rim being 40 mm further out is an issue...just means that your side wall will be more flush with the rim surface. Although, one would have to be concerned about possible contact with the fender under load and/or going around a corner.

As far as the 2nd wheel, that might work as well. With the increased tire width of 10 mm, but knocking it out 3 mm, the tire is only 7 mm closer to the strut. The wheel being 16 mm closer shouldn't be a problem, but again, you would have to verify how much space there is between the current OEM 19 and the strut and compare. The outside space would be 10 mm for the tire, plus 3 mm for the offset, bringing it to 13 mm, which is just under my spacers so it should be fine.

Hope that helps.

[luck123]

Originally Posted by nogo

Thanks for the good feedback. Have been debating the style of wheel etc. for quite some time and am at the point where I will bite the bullet. Can't decide whether to go conservative (simple 5-spoke 19x8.5") or something slightly more flash (mesh-style 19.9 or 19x9.5)

Appreciate your advice!

No problem. One thing I forgot to mention is that it is the rear that is of greater concern regarding possible contact with the strut. I think there is much more clearance in the front.

Style is a personal thing, but I prefer the simple look of a 5 spoke...frankly, I like the OEM style more than most aftermarket. Go with what YOU like best.

[three.ten]

I did - I went with 20x8.5 40mm TSW Doningtons in matte black and 255/50R20 Yokohama Parada Spec-X. I'm very happy with both. As luck123 mentions (and all of his information is right on), the rear fitment (interior strut side) is the biggest concern. For me it's really tight. I did all the calcs vs stock and tried to estimate the gap but it was so close that I ultimately had to buy and cross my fingers. I probably have a 5mm gap between the rear tire and strut. I think both of your choices would clear on the inside. Btw, I think tire section width (vs. thread width) is also a good measurement to use/compare.

Style is completely personal. I lean towards understated which can be hard to find in aftermarket rims. I was originally looking for a 5 or 6 spoke design but nothing I liked fit. Originally I wasn't sure about the Doningtons but now that I have them, I love them. I did seriously consider your second choice (if that's the TSW Nurburgring) in 20 and dark grey. I really like the rim (and it's much lighter) but decided (with the help of Photoshop) that to me, they weren't "bulky" enough for the Highlander. Your opinion may vary.

Here's what the Doningtons look like:

[nogo]

Thanks for the feedback. Can you please clarify the tire size? Not sure if 250 is correct. Also, your images are giving an HTTP 404 error. Can you please upload them to some other site? Tinypic is quite useful

I tried to order the TSW Nurburgrings from Discount Tire, but they have no stock in 19x9 et 32

I also tried to order the Avant Garde M310 wheels from Element Wheels, but they won't ship to a Shipping Broker in the States - grrrr

FYI - there is an online site (http://www.rimsntires.com//specspro.jsp - you need to subscribe) which calculates wheel positioning based on parameters you specify. For example, you can compare:

- 19x7.5 et 35mm (245-55-19)
- 19x9.5 et 25 mm (265-50-19)

The site gives you this summary:

Suspension clearance:The same.
Fenders clearance:Package 2 will stick out 20 mm (0.8'') farther. Make sure that you have enough room under the fender. If not, consider narrower tires or higher offset.
Wheelwells clearance:100% clear (leaves even more room than OEM)
SPEEDOMETER:When speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 59.7mph (96.1km/h): 0.5% slower.

Originally Posted by three.ten

I did - I went with 20x8.5 40mm TSW Doningtons in matte black and 250/50R20 Yokohama Parada Spec-X. I'm very happy with both. As luck123 mentions (and all of his information is right on), the rear fitment (interior strut side) is the biggest concern. For me it's really tight. I did all the calcs vs stock and tried to estimate the gap but it was so close that I ultimately had to buy and cross my fingers. I probably have a 5mm gap between the rear tire and strut. I think both of your choices would clear on the inside. Btw, I think tire section width (vs. thread width) is also a good measurement to use/compare.

Style is completely personal. I lean towards understated which can be hard to find in aftermarket rims. I was originally looking for a 5 or 6 spoke design but nothing I liked fit. Originally I wasn't sure about the Doningtons but now that I have them, I love them. I did seriously consider your second choice (if that's the TSW Nurburgring) in 20 and dark grey. I really like the rim (and it's much lighter) but decided (with the help of Photoshop) that to me, they weren't "bulky" enough for the Highlander. Your opinion may vary.

Here's what the Doningtons look like:

[nogo]

Thanks for fixing up the pic's! Looks stealthy How was the ride affected? Are the summer tires and the smaller sidewall more confidence inspiring? How much do these tires + wheels weigh? Same as stock or less?

Helps with the decision making process but I am not sure if I want 20's.

Take care

[three.ten]

Yeah you're right, the tire size is actually 255/50R20 (edited my post). I fixed the pics as well.

I created a spreadsheet to do the calcs. The hard part for me was accurately measuring the gap between the tire and strut.

I could be wrong but I don't think the summary from that site is correct - the suspension clearance shouldn't be the same. The rim would sit 15.4mm further in than the stock rim ((9.5"-7.5")/2 - (35mm-25mm)). The tire is 20mm wider so add half of that and you get the tire sitting 25.4mm closer to the strut than stock.

[sanf]

three.ten, how much did the entire setup cost?