🎯 The Short Answer
If you just need a replacement set, match the size printed on your driver door jamb placard and you are done. The 265/70R17 is the most common and the easiest to find in any tire type, from highway all-seasons to aggressive all-terrains. If you are thinking about going bigger for clearance and looks, keep reading, because the 4Runner has a lot of room before things start rubbing.
📋 Factory Tire Sizes by Trim
Here is what Toyota shipped on the fifth-generation 4Runner. Sizes are stable across most model years from 2010 to 2024, with the main difference being wheel diameter on the Limited.
| Trim | Tire Size | Wheel | Approx. Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR5 | 265/70R17 | 17 in | 31.6 in |
| TRD Off-Road | 265/70R17 | 17 in | 31.6 in |
| TRD Pro | 265/70R17 A/T | 17 in | 31.6 in |
| Limited | 245/60R20 | 20 in | 31.6 in |
| Base (early 4-cyl) | 265/65R17 | 17 in | 30.6 in |
Notice that the Limited's 245/60R20 ends up almost exactly the same overall diameter as the 265/70R17. Toyota keeps the rolling diameter consistent so the speedometer, ABS, and stability control read correctly regardless of trim. The Limited just trades sidewall height for a larger, flashier wheel, which is why off-road trims keep the taller 17-inch sidewall for sidewall strength and trail comfort.
📏 How Big Can You Actually Go?
This is the question most 4Runner owners are really asking. The good news is that the 4Runner has generous wheel wells. Here is the realistic upgrade ladder, from no-rub bolt-ons to builds that need a lift.
| Tire Size | Diameter | What It Takes |
|---|---|---|
| 275/70R17 | ~32.2 in | Bolts on stock, little to no rub |
| 285/70R17 | ~32.7 in | Small level + minor mud flap trim |
| 285/75R17 | ~33.8 in | Leveling kit + trimming required |
| 295/70R17 (33x11.5) | ~33.3 in | Leveling kit, may rub at full lock |
| 34 in and up | 34+ in | Lift, body mount chop, fender trim |
For the vast majority of owners, a 285/70R17 is the sweet spot. It looks noticeably bigger, fits 17-inch wheels you may already own, and only needs a cheap leveling kit and a little trimming of the front mud flaps to clear at full steering lock. Going past 33 inches is where the budget and the rubbing both climb fast, since you start chopping body mounts and trimming fenders.
One thing people forget: wider tires need the right wheel offset. The factory 17-inch wheels run roughly +15mm offset. Going to a wider tire or a lower-offset wheel pushes the tire outboard, which can cause it to rub the inner fender or stick out past the fenders. If you hear new noises after a tire change, it is worth running a quick diagnosis of noise when turning to rule out rubbing versus a real suspension issue.
⚠️ Common Mistakes When Upsizing
- Mixing tire sizes on a 4WD. The 4Runner's part-time and full-time four-wheel-drive systems hate mismatched diameters. Mixing a new tire with worn ones, or running different sizes front to rear, can cause driveline bind and accelerate transfer case wear. Always replace in sets of four.
- Ignoring the speedometer error. Bigger tires make the speedo read slow. A 285/70R17 makes 60 mph indicated about 62 mph actual, roughly a 3 to 4 percent error. It also throws off your odometer and can affect when maintenance reminders trigger.
- Forgetting the spare. The factory spare is a full-size 265/70R17. If you upsize and never swap the spare, you are carrying a tire nearly an inch shorter than your other four. On a 4WD that is a problem if you have to drive on it for any distance.
- Skipping recalibration. A dealer or a tuner can recalibrate the speedometer for larger tires. Skipping it is not dangerous, but it makes your gauges and trip data inaccurate.
- Wrong tire pressure. The door placard pressure (usually 32 psi) is set for the stock tire. Heavier load-rated all-terrains may want a different pressure, so check the sidewall max and the placard together.
🧮 Which Size Should You Buy?
Use this quick framework based on how you actually use the truck.
- Daily driver, mostly pavement: Stick with stock 265/70R17 in a quality all-season or highway tire. Best ride, best fuel economy, no surprises.
- Light trails and a tougher look: Go 275/70R17 all-terrain. Bolts right on, no lift, no trimming, slight bump in ground clearance.
- Serious overlanding or rock crawling: Go 285/70R17 or larger with a leveling kit. Plan to trim mud flaps and budget for an alignment afterward.
- Limited owner who wants more sidewall: Swap your 20-inch wheels for 17s from an SR5 or aftermarket, then run 265/70R17 or larger. They bolt right on thanks to the shared 6x139.7 pattern.
Whatever you choose, get an alignment after any size change, and have the lug nuts re-torqued after about 50 to 100 miles. If your steering wheel is off-center or the truck pulls after new tires, that is usually an alignment issue, and our quote checker can tell you whether the shop's price is fair before you pay.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📝 TL;DR
The stock tire size for a Toyota 4Runner is 265/70R17 on most trims and 245/60R20 on the Limited, all sharing a 6x139.7 bolt pattern. You can bolt on a 275/70R17 with no modifications, fit a 285/70R17 with a small level and minor trimming, and reach 33 inches and beyond with a lift. Always replace tires in sets of four on a 4WD, recalibrate the speedometer when you upsize, and get an alignment afterward.