[funkill]

After three weeks of searching, I'm at a loss ... I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me......

I bought a used 04 Armada last October. It came with 20" wheels, 305/50-20 Vogue tires. It was an impulse purchase and I admit, I didn't check into the situation very well. Anyway, I got into an accident three weeks ago and damaged two wheels. Insurance is giving me replacement value, but NO ONE can find these wheels. Amazing - not even the dealer can come up with an idea of where they came from - though they admit they ordered them (but for an 04 Titan - and just got put on the Armada as an afterthought)!

The damage is cosmetic in nature, so I'm not really too worried about replacing them. However, the tires are bald. I've been told they're also too wide for the rims as they're "ballooning". So, how do I decide what size tire to order now? I've been through several sites on determining tire size, but they've just confused me more. Any suggestions for new size? I was told by a coworker to go for 275/60's or 295/60's - but I don't know where he gets these numbers. Also, I don't have any other info on the rims (s.a. width or off-set). Thanks for any advice - I'm pulling my hair out over the wheels and tires now!

 

[adjmcloon]

I have 20's and am about to upgrade to 305/50/20's. Just perfect in my opinion- they won't rub (so you don't have to modify) and they're big enough to give the best ride and offer the most utility if you tow, etc.

 

[funkill]

Dang --- the 305/50's are too big already. They're buldging out the side of the rims. And, since I'll soon be ridding myself of this Beast, I'd like to put as little cash into it as possible --- thus, a smaller tire.

Don't get me wrong - I luv this truck. But, I'll be quitting my job to go to school full time next year and can't imagine applying for financial aid with a 40K vehicle in the garage ......

 

[adjmcloon]

In that case just buy a set of OEM tires/wheels off Ebay for about $600.

 

[funkill]

Well, that's an idea ... OEM wheels w/tires. But the best I can figure is that cost will be somewhere around $500 once you add in shipping. And I know that I'd end up with some rims to turn around, but I don't really want to get into selling wheels - I just don't have the resources or desire. I'm thinking I could get some tires for under $500 --- but I just don't know what size!!! Please help!!!

 

[adjmcloon]

Well, you *might* be able to get some 20" tires for under $500, but I think you'd be hard pressed. Big tires like that are more expensive. Even my cheap-ass Goodyear Eagles were like $130-140 each plus installation.

If you're getting rid of it, I'd just shop and find the cheapest thing out there. Check out http://www.1010tires.com. They usually have pretty good deals.

 

[armoody]

Midnight Auto is cheap, if you don't get shot!
I agree with adjmcloon, I think you're going to have a tough time finding 4 20" tires for less than stock wheel and tires combined. Local Nissan dealers might also have some take-offs if they are selling the new Armadas with wheel/tire upgrades.

 

[92TripleBlack]

305-50-20 should be a fit. They require a 20" rim. Now you say they are too wide. What width rims do you have? Every tire maker specs what width range their tires should be used on. Don't know the vogue but the Toyo/Nitto in 305-50-20 needs a rim to be between 8.5" and 11" in width. It prefers a 9.5" rim. Most 20" rims are 9"-10" wide. Unless you have some really narrow rims, they should be fine with your tires.

As for the tires, I would not think they would be balooning. If they were under inflated, maybe. I don't know much about Vogue tires either and they do have 3 models in your size. What you need to do is:
1. Decide if you want to use these rims or change.
2. Determine the width of the rims you are going to use as well as diameter
3. Determine what type of tire you want. EX Highway All Season, All Terrain, Mud Terrain, Street Performance, etc.
4. Make a list of tires that fit your size and need and then compare.

If you are selling, I'd get a set of stock rims off Ebay and then sell the rims you have to cover them. Depends where you are. I have a set I'd sell in Florida for example. $600 is pretty standard. Shipping is usually less than $100. I had 4 tires shipped UPS from Indiana to NJ for $40 with UPS. Be more because of the weight, but not ridiculous.
Personally, I love my tires. They also come in 305-50-20, but I wanted them to be taller instead of shorter than stock.

Hope this helps. PS Post pics of the rims and maybe we can figure out who makes them.

 

[llajumpvid]

Before Ebay call a few dealerships first. They likely have some take offs that are taking up space in their shop that you can pick up for the Ebay price and probably less. I've heard of some getting infiniti rims/tires for less than $500.

 

[funkill]

Hi all --- thanks for the replies. I don't know the size of the rims, other than that they're 20". Is there a way to get an accurate width measurement w/o removing a tire? I'm riding around on the spare because one of the rear tires is too awful to drive on anymore. So, I gotta get tires fast. My local Nissan dealer has found the original rims w/tires and is working out a price for me too. But, if they're over $500, I think I'd be better buying tires off the web. I found some Yokohama Geolanders for $129 ea (no shipping) and the dealer will install w/o charge (unbelievable as it may seem to me). But my concern is still what size. The local tire store (Firestone) says the 305/50/20 is defiantely too wide. He suggested 275/60/20's. How do I figure this out when I don't have accurate wheel size? I'm attaching a pic (or trying to) of the mystery wheels ..... and, suposedly, the Harley Revolution sticker at the center was put on by previous owner (but again - no one really has a good story for the wheels).... Thanks again.

 

[92TripleBlack]

Take a wire coat hanger, bend it straight with a right angle on one side, like a capital L. Stick the short end through the spokes and "hook the inner edge of the rim. Now take a straight edge and go verticle from the outer rim edge up to the hanger and bend the hanger at that mark. Remove the hanger and measure the distance between the two bends. This should be your rim width. There are many many ways to do this but this is quick and should be good enough to get a good estimate. Average 20" rims are typically 8.5-10" wide.

 

[funkill]

Hi again ... well, seems that someone has "identified" my wheels. They're suposedly mfg by "Fusion", but I don't see my style on any of the sites offering them for sale ....???? Anyway, I measured as you said Tripleblack and found that my rims are 10". Anyone have any suggestions for alternate wheel sizes (vs 305/50/20)?

 

[92TripleBlack]

Hi again ... well, seems that someone has "identified" my wheels. They're suposedly mfg by "Fusion", but I don't see my style on any of the sites offering them for sale ....???? Anyway, I measured as you said Tripleblack and found that my rims are 10". Anyone have any suggestions for alternate wheel sizes (vs 305/50/20)?

You could go with my size, 305-55-20. Either should fit great. My rims are only 9" wide and well within limits. I also checked smaller. More narrow would have problems. You could go wider, but for example 275-60-20 max width are 9.5" and really are designed to fit 8" rims. 305-50-20 are made to fit 8"-10" rims.