Aftermarket wheels are one of the best ways to show off your style and upgrade the look of your truck. Picking a set is about as personal as it gets, second only to choosing a 4Runner as your rig.
Naturally, a good time to switch up your wheels is when you also need new tires. I recently made the switch from some worn-out KO2s to the Arroyo Tamarock MTs and wrapped them around some Lock Off-Road “Baja” wheels with a Machine Polish finish. These are the perfect example of what the company has to offer, striking designs at reasonable prices. This is my favorite wheel they offer and it looks even better in person.
Lock Off-Road is currently celebrating its second birthday but its parent company is coming up on 30 years in the business. In that short time, they’ve amassed quite a catalog of wheel styles and finishes. So, let’s take a closer look at these beautiful wheels!
Table Of Contents
Overview
Specs:
- Size: 17″ x 9″
- Available Finishes: Matte Black, Matte Desert Bronze, Matte Gray, Machine Finish Polish (MFP)
- Available Bolt Patterns: 6×139.7 (4Runner), 6×135, and 5×127
- Offset: 0mm or -12mm
- Backspacing: 5.000in and 4.530in, respective to the offsets listed above
- Load Rating: 2,500lbs
- Weight: 32lbs
Features:
- Tough-Application-Chemically-Treated (TACT) Coat Finish (durable coating)
- Proprietary step position designed to keep the bead seated in low tire pressure conditions
- High grade aluminum alloys
- One year warranty
Unique Design Feature
The Bajas are designed with a thin spoke pattern and a perforated extended flange, which helps to prevent standing water in the wheel. This design also does a great job of providing extra protection to the valve stem.
Note: Aftermarket wheels typically require new lug nuts. Most, if not all, have a different fitment and the OEM lugs won’t be compatible. For reference, the 5th Gen 4Runner has a 12×1.5 thread pattern. Lock has you covered with their own set here.
Initial Impressions
The Baja Wheel is quite unique in its own right, but I opted for the Machine Finish Polish (MFP) to really stand out. Paired with some aggressive tires, I knew these wheels would be the statement piece of my build. Moving from a 17×8.5″ wheel with a 285/70R17 tire to a 17×9″ wheel and 33×12.5″ tire gave my 4Runner the perfect amount of poke and stance.
At about 92 lbs. per wheel including the tires, I was initially concerned about the added weight in each corner. This was a significant increase from my previous setup which was about 76 lbs per wheel. That’s an extra 56 lbs. total, not including the spare. This is normal, especially when going to an MT tire.
Fortunately, I haven’t noticed a negative impact on performance, handling, or MPG. That said, I also did a complete refresh and overhaul of my suspension with the new Dirt King 2.0 IPF shocks, UCAs, and Perry Parts Bump Stops which has significantly improved ride quality.
My Dirt King UCAs state a maximum wheel backspace of 4.75″. With a 0mm offset, you increase the chances of the inner tire rubbing on your suspension and may push you to run spacers. So far, with my -12mm offset, I’ve had no issues with rubbing. Albeit, I also have a body mount chop (BMC), trimmed the bumper slightly, and pushed the fender liner forward.
Final Thoughts
I couldn’t be happier with my Baja wheels from Lock Off-Road. The machined finish paired with aggressive M/T tires and the wider stance look amazing and contribute to better off-road stability.
Arroyo Tires and Lock Off-Road teams have tested this same wheel/tire combination and aired down to 10 PSI without losing a bead. While that is a nerve-wracking low PSI without true bead locks, I plan to test this on the next trail run, so stay tuned for my 10,000-mile update on the M/Ts.
Whether you’re looking for your first set of aftermarket wheels or switching things up, Lock Off-Road is a great option with plenty of designs to suit all preferences. They also have killer finishes to match and I can’t recommend them enough!
