Prospective buyer… question about wheels and gear ratios

[Radarcontact]

Hi all. Thanks for taking an interest.

So, I’m just researching the EXT and I see that the two more expensive trim levels (Lux and Prem) come with 22” wheels whereas the base trim has 18” wheels.
Does the rear differential gear ratio and or tranny gear ratios change with the wheel size? I know it has 400+ horsepower but that’s a huge difference in wheel size if all else remains the same. I guess it would help with Highway gas milage though, lol.

Maybe it’s a dumb question… be gentle, it’s my first post!

// Radar //

 

[Evansaero]

all trims on the ext are 3.42

 

[Vaeagleav]

The thing about factory wheel options is that they try to stay with the same overall diameter of wheel and tire so no need to change gears. larger rims could be heavier then smaller stock rims or wider so that could affect gas mileage some.
Most people don't buy an EXT or AV for gas economy though. As a side note EXT is AWD I believe so all four wheels are drive wheels all the time. The AV is 2wd or 4wd and you can use 4wd as a part time thing.
Also welcome to the site!

 

[Radarcontact]

Thanks to both, I appreciate it!
The reason I asked was because there was a Premium for sale but the 22” wheels were HORRENDOUS! So I wondered what would happen if I replaced them with some OEM 18” ones (assuming I could get some cheap - from someone who replaced theirs - on FB marketplace, Craigslist, etc.).

I don’t know whether the truck would be better looking with the 18s or the 22s but the 22” tires have to be a small fortune.

This is gonna be a replacement tow vehicle for my boat, so I am trying to do this as inexpensively as possible.

// Radar //

 

[MS03 2500]

I think you are on the right track, sell the 22s.

 

[Radarcontact]

The thing about factory wheel options is that they try to stay with the same overall diameter of wheel and tire so no need to change gears. larger rims could be heavier then smaller stock rims or wider so that could affect gas mileage some.
Most people don't buy an EXT or AV for gas economy though. As a side note EXT is AWD I believe so all four wheels are drive wheels all the time. The AV is 2wd or 4wd and you can use 4wd as a part time thing.
Also welcome to the site!

You are absolutely right and I’m embarrassed that I didn’t think to check overall diameter before asking the question. I went to that Tacoma forum tire size site (https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc) and yep, the tires look almost identical to the car, no gear change needed.

// Radar //