TRD Wheels Upgrade Package worth it?

[BigWheelAtTheCostco]

Hi All,

Hopefully picking up a TRD OR (NP) next week and it’s perfect in terms of what I’m looking for. The only add that I didn’t necessarily seek was the TRD Wheel Package. Is it worth it? I plan it getting it either way but to be transparent, I highly doubt I go off road anytime soon. I’m basically wondering if on road performance suffers from that package.

 

[Keroppi]

You mean these TRD 18” Wheels right? I’d say the wheels themselves are more for a looks upgrade if you like the design and all-black color scheme more. From an on-road comfort level they’ll be equal since both are 18” so same tire sidewall size.

It's the tires that may make a difference for you. The Falken Wildpeak AT3 tires that come on the TRD Wheels upgrade package are better than the Michelin LTX AT2 tires that come stock on the factory TRD Off-Road wheels.

Here's how the two tires compare based on Tire Rack customer reviews:

The Falken Wildpeak AT3W are better performing in all conditions - wet dry, on-road, off-road. And the two tires are similar in comfort level (ride quality and noise).

Correction, the tires on the TRD 18" Wheels Upgrade Package are the Falken Wildpeak AT3WA tires, which are different than AT3W. The AT3WA are more road-focused. Here's the reviews (albeit limited #) from Tire Rack

Versus AT3W reviews

 

[BigWheelAtTheCostco]

You mean the TRD 18” Wheels? I’d say the wheels themselves are more for a looks upgrade if you like the design and all-black color scheme more. From an on-road comfort level they’ll be equal since both are 18” so same tire sidewall size.

It's the tires that may make a difference for you. The Falken Wildpeak AT3 tires that come on the TRD Wheels upgrade package are better than the Michelin LTX AT2 tires that come stock on the factory TRD Off-Road wheels.

Here's how the two tires compare based on Tire Rack customer reviews:

The Falken Wildpeak AT3 are better performing in all conditions - wet dry, on-road, off-road. And the two tires are similar in comfort level (ride quality and noise).

This is super helpful! Thank you for that!

 

[Jpr18]

It's the tires that may make a difference for you. The Falken Wildpeak AT3 tires that come on the TRD Wheels upgrade package are better than the Michelin LTX AT2 tires that come stock on the factory TRD Off-Road wheels.

The TRD wheels don't come with Wildpeak AT3 tires...they come with AT3WA, a different tire with a very similar name.

It isn't well reviewed on Tire Rack, but it only has 57 reviews (compared to almost 1,000 for the Michelin)

 

[Keroppi]

The TRD wheels don't come with Wildpeak AT3 tires...they come with AT3WA, a different tire with a very similar name.

It isn't well reviewed on Tire Rack, but it only has 57 reviews (compared to almost 1,000 for the Michelin)

Ah didn't realize that thanks for the correction. And it appears the Falken Wildpeak AT3WA don't rate as well (at least with limited reviews) as the AT3W

 

[Keroppi]

The TRD wheels don't come with Wildpeak AT3 tires...they come with AT3WA, a different tire with a very similar name.

It isn't well reviewed on Tire Rack, but it only has 57 reviews (compared to almost 1,000 for the Michelin)

Where have you seen that the tires on the TRD 18" Wheels package is Wildpeak AT3WA tires (and not AT3W) btw? I haven't seen this anywhere, so just curious.

 

[Jpr18]

Where have you seen that the tires on the TRD 18" Wheels package is Wildpeak AT3WA tires (and not AT3W) btw? I haven't seen this anywhere, so just curious.

Right here:
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...n-wildpeak-a-t3w-tires-photos.2401/post-37821

It seems like this is a heavily "detuned" version of the AT3W created for factory fitment with a lower cost and lower rolling resistance. It's pretty typical that there's the off-the-shelf version of popular tires you can get from TireRack, Discount Tire, etc and then the "OEM" version of the same tire that's fitted at the factory and has a few cost cutting measures or fuel economy benefits.

In this case, Falken has taken the "off road all terrain" AT3W and make it an "on road all terrain" and called it the AT3WA, but kept a similar sidewall design.

source: I worked in the auto industry at the manufacturer level