If you’re looking for a pickup truck that can easily carry a few tons of cargo and also offer a smooth ride on the highway, the Toyota Tacoma is a great choice. Things can always be better, though, and if you’re looking for maximum impact with minimal effort, upgrading the wheels on your Tacoma will do the trick. While there’s no shortage of options out there, we’ve picked five of the best wheel upgrades for your Tacoma that are both great-looking and durable, as well as detailing some things to keep in mind before you buy.
RockTrix RT107 17-Inch Rims
These rims look badass and are great if you enjoy taking your Tacoma off-roading now and then. Their standard size is 17 inches, which gives you enough room to fit large off-road-specific 33- or 35-inch tires without needing spacers or lifts. They also come in 18- and 20-inch sizes. Their V-spoke design looks cool, and the matte finish is designed to prevent rust and corrosion. They’re also a great starting point if you upgrade your suspension later, as they leave more space than Tacoma’s stock wheels.
Key specs:
- Size: 17 inches
- Color: Matte Black, Matte Bronze, and Matte Gunmetal
- Weight: 32.2 pounds
- What makes them special: They’re sturdy enough for off-road use and look great
Pro Comp Alloys Series 31
If you want a classic wheel look for your Tacoma, these polished aluminum rims are just what you need. They feature a traditional “bullet hole” design and a concave cut, pushing the center inward. Their aluminum alloy build looks amazing and makes these wheels highly durable, especially considering how lightweight they are. These wheels also have a negative offset and stick out a little. Besides making your Tacoma look more aggressive, this also allows you to fit in wider tires.
Key specs:
- Size: 17 inches
- Color: Polished aluminum
- Weight: 24 pounds
- What makes them special: A classic look and vibe
Fuel Matte Black Vapor Wheels
The previous wheels have a classic appearance, but these have a futuristic look. With their vapor matte black finish and double-spoke design, they’ll enhance your Tacoma’s overall appearance. Available in sizes ranging from 17 to 22 inches, these wheels are perfect for those who may not be serious off-roaders but still want their Tacoma to look stunning. Opting for the 22-inch wheels will make your vehicle stand out wherever you go.
Key specs:
- Size: 17–22 inches
- Color: Matte Black
- Weight: 37 pounds for the 17-inch version
- What makes them special: They’re available in multiple sizes
American Racing AR172 Baja Wheels
We’re back to the traditional bullet-hole design. These AR172s will make your Tacoma look like it just stepped out of a “Dukes of Hazzard” episode. These wheels are also exceptionally strong and lightweight. They’re 17 inches wide and designed to be just as effective off-road as they are eye-catching when cruising around town. Depending on your taste and your Tacoma’s color, you can choose the satin black or the polished finish.
Key specs:
- Size: 17 inches
- Color: Satin black or polished
- Weight: 28.31 pounds
- What makes them special: Their awesome design
Moto Metal MO970 Wheels
These wheels are a great choice for a wide variety of Tacoma owners. Their eight-spoke design is somehow both classic and modern, and they come in various sizes, depending on your priorities. They range from off-road-capable 17-inch wheels to huge 24-inch ones, which won’t be any good on rough off-road terrains but could look amazing when driving around town.
Key specs:
- Size: 17–24 inches
- Color: Gloss Black
- Weight: 28.8 pounds for the 17-inch option
- What makes them special: Available in multiple sizes up to 24 inches
What to Know When Choosing a Set of Wheels for Your Tacoma
Choosing wheel upgrades for your Tacoma can be easy if you know what you want. These are some key things to consider when comparing multiple Tacoma rim models.
Design and Finish: Let’s not beat around the bush. If you want new rims to make your Tacoma look cooler, that’s OK. What that means is 100 percent up to you, though. It may make sense to fit some classic-looking rims on an older Tacoma and modern-looking ones on a newer model, but that’s by no means a rule. There are no rules, so finding the right rim design is entirely up to your taste.
The rim’s finish is also an essential part of its design. The most common choices are black and polished aluminum, with the former being either matte or glossy. A virtually infinite palette of colors is available, ranging from relatively common ones such as gold and white to strange and exotic hues. Your taste and style are key when choosing rim color, as they usually help to coordinate with your Tacoma’s color.
Size: While this is also somewhat a matter of taste, there are some objective considerations for choosing smaller or larger wheels. Stock Tacoma wheels generally range from 16 to 18 inches. This leaves enough room for large off-road-oriented tires, so if you plan to drive your Tacoma on rough terrains, this is a proper range size. If you’re not planning to leave the road anytime soon and are all about looks, larger wheels will probably suit you better. Remember that 22- and 24-inch wheels make your vehicle harder to drive and less comfortable.
Material: The standard wheels on the Tacoma are 17-inch steel for newer models and 16-inch steel for older ones. Steel rims are heavy and strong enough to take a beating when off-roading, which may affect maneuverability. Alloy wheels are a great alternative, as they’re much lighter without compromising sturdiness. The alloy is melted down and poured into a wheel-shaped mold, resulting in a monolith-like wheel that can take whatever you throw at it while being lighter and easier to maneuver than its steel counterpart.
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