2022+ ZN8 Toyota GR86 Wheel Fitment Guide

The second-generation Toyota GR86 (ZN8, 2022+) represents a meaningful evolution of the lightweight sports coupe formula. While the silhouette remains familiar, the chassis underneath features significant improvements in torsional rigidity (50% increase over the first generation), revised suspension geometry, and a 10mm wider rear track. The naturally aspirated FA24 2.4L flat-four engine produces 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, delivering power through a chassis engineered for handling precision rather than straight-line acceleration. For enthusiasts seeking to optimize this platform, wheel fitment is a critical consideration that directly affects the platform’s superb handling capabilities. This guide provides comprehensive technical information for wheel fitment on the ZN8 GR86.

For tire compatibility and diameter tolerance, see the ZD8/ZN8 FT86 Tire Guide. For quick-reference wheel and tire combinations, consult the ZD8/ZN8 FT86 Wheel and Tire Cheatsheet.

Platform Note: The second-generation Toyota GR86 (ZN8) and Subaru BRZ (ZD8) share the same fundamental chassis architecture and wheel specifications. Wheel fitment information is mechanically interchangeable between both models. For the Subaru-specific guide, see the ZD8 Subaru BRZ Wheel Guide. For the first-generation (2013-2020) FR-S and 86 see the ZN6 wheel guide.

OEM / Stock Wheel Specifications

All ZN8 GR86 models share identical wheel specifications across all trim levels and markets.

Factory Wheel Configuration

The factory wheels came in 17” or 18” depending on trim. The Base and most Premium models came with 7.5J width and ET48 offset. The 17” wheels came wrapped in 215/45R17 Michelin Primacy HP while all 18” OE wheels came with 215/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4. The GR86 10th Anniversary Special Edition came with special “GR Forged” wheels in 18x8” +40 also wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4.

Hardware Specifications

Thread Pitch Note: The ZN8 uses M12 x 1.25 thread pitch, which is a Subaru specification. This differs from most Toyota vehicles that use M12 x 1.5. When purchasing lug nuts, ensure you specify M12 x 1.25.

Hub Centric Requirement: The center bore is 56.1mm. Most aftermarket wheels are machined with larger center bores (typically 73.1mm or 67.1mm for universal fitment). You must use hub centric rings (73.1mm OD to 56.1mm ID or appropriate sizing) to bridge the gap between the aftermarket wheel bore and the factory hub. Failure to use rings renders the setup lug-centric, transferring vertical shear loads entirely to the studs, which can lead to high-speed vibration and stud fatigue.

Cross-Platform

The wheel fitment on a ZN8 GR86 is very similar to the previous generation ZN6, however, the mildly increased track width of the second generation means wheel specs will be necessarily more conservative. The ZN8 GR86 shares its 5x100mm bolt pattern and 56.1mm center bore with the ZD8 Subaru BRZ, making wheels mechanically interchangeable. The 5x100 pattern is also shared with many Subaru models including the Impreza, WRX (2002-2014), and Legacy, as well as some Volkswagen and Toyota models. However, brake clearance and offset requirements may differ significantly between applications.

Aftermarket Considerations

The Case for Downsizing to 17-Inch Wheels

The GR86’s naturally aspirated philosophy and lightweight focus make 17” downsizing particularly compelling for both street and track use. The reduced rotational inertia of smaller diameter wheels allows the FA24 engine to accelerate the wheels more quickly, improving throttle response and acceleration feel.

Unsprung Mass Reduction: The factory 17x7.5” wheels on the Base model GR86 weigh approximately 23 lbs each. High-quality lightweight 17” wheels like the Apex ARC-8 (17x9.0” at 17.8 lbs) or Konig Hypergram (17x9.0” at 16.8 lbs) represent substantial weight savings of 5-6 lbs per corner (20-24 lbs total). This reduction improves suspension response, allowing the dampers to control wheel motion more effectively.

Tire Selection and Cost: The 17” diameter offers exceptional tire selection in the 200-treadwear competition category, with sizes like 245/40R17 and 255/40R17 available from nearly every major manufacturer. These tires typically cost 15-25% less than their 18” equivalents while offering superior sidewall compliance for spirited driving.

Ride Quality: The additional sidewall height of 17” tires improves compliance over mid-corner bumps and provides better progressive breakaway characteristics at the limit. For track use, this translates to more predictable handling and reduced harshness over rumble strips.

Coilovers for Wide Wheels

This is the most critical consideration for the ZN8 platform. The front MacPherson strut features a conical spring mounted on a lower spring perch that sits directly adjacent to the inner wheel lip and tire sidewall. This creates a hard physical constraint for wheel width.

On stock suspension, wider wheels with higher offsets may physically contact the spring perch before the wheel can be bolted flush to the hub. Thought of another way: a 9.5” +48 wheel extends 1 inch (~25mm) further inboard than the stock 7.5” wheel. The factory spring perch does not offer this clearance.

The solution is moving to linear spring, rather than progressive spring, coilovers. Aftermarket coilovers intended for performance applications utilize smaller diameter linear springs (typically 60-62mm inner diameter vs 85-100mm+ on OEM conical springs). This reduction in spring stack diameter provides 15-20mm of additional inboard clearance, making 9.0” to 9.5” widths physically possible.

This is not a “minor rubbing” issue that can be resolved with camber adjustment. This is a hard mechanical interference where the wheel barrel contacts a fixed metal component. Linear spring coilovers are a must for aggressive fitments.

Rear Bumper Tab Modification

The ZN8 chassis features a metal flange where the rear bumper cover meets the quarter panel. This tab protrudes horizontally into the wheel well at approximately 60 degrees into the quarter panel. When running wider tires on >9” width wheels with offsets lower than approximately +42, the tire shoulder will impact this metal tab under heavy suspension compression. This results in deep grooves cut into the tire sidewall and can crack the paint. This can be prevented with a slight modification to the inner wheel well structure.

1. Remove the plastic clip or bolt securing the bumper corner
2. Peel back the fender liner to access the metal flange
3. Use a cut-off wheel or body saw to trim the protruding metal flange flush with the spot welds
4. Trim the corresponding plastic bumper tab
5. Relocate the bumper attachment point further rearward using a new drilled hole
6. Secure with zip-tie or bolt

Front Fender Liner Clearance

The forward section of the front plastic fender liner features vented areas ahead of the wheel. The ZN8 has tight tolerances for overall tire diameter. Oversized tires like 245/40R18 or 255/40R18 will rub the front liner vents, even during normal driving. Stick to properly sized alternatives like 245/35R18 or 255/35R18 to maintain diameter tolerance. Maintaining ±3% variance is critical for fender clearance as well as ABS/traction control functionality. See our tire guide for recommended sizes within ±3% of the OEM diameter.

Brake Clearance

TRUENO Edition and Hakone Edition models were equipped with larger Brembo brake calipers that require special consideration when selecting wheels. These models were fitted with 18” wheels from the factory specifically because the larger diameter provides the necessary spoke and inner barrel clearance for the Brembo calipers.

The factory upsized wheels (18x7.5” +48) will fit as will the wheels from the Subaru BRZ tS, but many aftermarket 17” wheels will not clear the Brembo calipers. Brake clearance is a complicated topic that depends not just on wheel diameter but also the spoke design, barrel profile, and inner hub pocket depth.

The GR86 utilizes cast iron front knuckles/uprights, which differ from the aluminum knuckles used on the standard ZD8 BRZ. This design choice provides a critical difference for brake upgrades. The iron knuckles on the GR86 accept first-generation (ZN6) Brembo 4-piston calipers as a direct bolt-on upgrade. This is a relatively simple upgrade for track enthusiasts seeking improved braking performance. The BRZ’s aluminum knuckles are physically bulkier to maintain structural strength with the lighter material, preventing direct Brembo caliper installation without knuckle replacement or changing other components.

Camber Adjustments

Adding negative camber tilts the top of the tire inward, reducing the likelihood of fender contact during compression. Camber also improves cornering performance by maximizing tire contact patch during lateral load.

Adjustment Methods:

• Camber Bolts (Front): Eccentric “crash bolts” replace one or both factory knuckle-to-strut bolts, allowing the knuckle to pivot relative to the strut. This can yield -1.5° to -2.5° of additional negative camber. However, pivoting the knuckle inward moves the top of the tire closer to the spring perch, potentially exacerbating inboard clearance issues.
• Camber Plates (Front): Top mount camber plates move the entire strut assembly, preserving the tire-to-strut clearance relationship while altering camber angle. These are recommended for track use.
• Rear Camber: The double wishbone rear suspension offers natural camber gain through suspension compression. Additional static camber can be added via adjustable toe links or camber arms.

Weight and Handling Impact

The GR86’s chassis is engineered for momentum driving, where maintaining corner speed is critical. Reducing unsprung weight through lighter wheels is one of the most effective modifications available. A lightweight 17” forged wheel like the Apex ARC-8 weighs under 18 lbs, while a cheap cast replica of similar size can weigh 22-25 lbs. That 4-7 lb difference per corner translates to 16-28 lbs of unsprung weight reduction, dramatically improving suspension response and reducing the energy required for acceleration and braking.

Wheel Load Rating

The ZN8 GR86 has a curb weight of approximately 2,838 lbs with a relatively balanced weight distribution (54% front / 46% rear). The gross axle weight rating is approximately 876 kg (1,931 lbs) in front and 943 kg (2,079 lbs) in rear. This means a minimum load rating of around 475 kg (1,047 lbs) per wheel would be a sufficient minimum. Most quality aftermarket wheels designed for the 5x100 bolt pattern offer load ratings between 1,100 and 1,500 lbs per wheel. If you are buying wheels from a manufacturer that cannot provide load rating information, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Hub Centric Rings

Many aftermarket 5x100 wheels are designed with larger center bores, typically 73.1mm, for universal fitment across multiple vehicle makes. The ZN8 requires 56.1mm hub centering. Use hub centric rings to adapt these wheels. Aluminum rings are strongly recommended over plastic for track use, as brake heat can deform plastic rings over thermal cycling.

Wheel Recommendations

Below are recommendations based on suspension constraints, common aftermarket sizes, and real-world experience from the GR86/BRZ community. These are general recommendations focused on wheel dimensions and offset ranges. Wheels with different spoke designs and barrel profiles may fit differently. Always verify fitment for your specific setup before purchasing.

OEM+ Recommendations

Conservative sizes that maintain or slightly improve upon factory specifications without requiring body modifications or coilovers. These sizes work well for daily drivers, winter setups, or owners prioritizing reliability over aggressive aesthetics.

These conservative sizes provide maximum clearance margins, require no body modifications, and work on stock suspension. The 17x8.0” option offers the best balance of weight reduction, tire cost, and ride quality. The 18x8.5” represents the widest configuration possible without coilovers, though inboard clearance is tight.

Aggressive Street Recommendations

The optimal balance of performance, aesthetics, and fitment ease. These sizes represent popular enthusiast setups that may require suspension or minor body modifications.

The 17x9.0” configuration is widely regarded as the ideal street/track setup for the platform. It requires coilovers to clear the front spring perch but offers exceptional tire selection in 200TW compounds, low weight, and excellent handling characteristics.

Track / Competition Recommendations

Maximum grip configurations for dedicated track use or autocross. These sizes push the limits of fitment and typically require coilovers, aggressive alignment settings, and rear tab modification.

For autocross and track use, the 17x9.0” configuration dominates due to tire availability in 200TW compounds, reduced rotational inertia, and lower cost. The slightly taller sidewall of 40-series tires provides better compliance over mid-corner bumps compared to 35-series on 18” wheels. The 9.5” width provides maximum contact patch for road course use but requires comprehensive setup including coilovers, rear tab modification, and aggressive camber.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

ZN6 (1st Gen) vs. ZN8 (2nd Gen)

TL;DR, the second-generation FT86 requires more conservative wheel fitments than the first-gen.

The most significant geometric change is the rear track width increase of 10mm total (5mm per side). The rear hub mounting surface is positioned 5mm further outboard on the second-generation chassis compared to the first-generation.

A wheel that appeared “flush” on the first-generation 86 will poke 5mm further past the fender on the second-generation car. This means the first-generation chassis fitment data is not directly transferable. Aggressive first-gen setups (e.g., 18x9.5” +38) will likely require additional negative camber or fender rolling on the second-gen chassis.

GR86 (ZN8) vs. BRZ (ZD8) Differences

Front Knuckles: The GR86 uses cast iron knuckles, while the standard BRZ (non-tS) uses aluminum knuckles. The aluminum knuckles are approximately 3.3 lbs lighter per side but are physically bulkier around the caliper mounting bosses to maintain structural strength with the lighter material.

Brake Upgrade Compatibility: The GR86’s iron knuckles accept first-generation Brembo 4-piston calipers as a direct bolt-on upgrade. The BRZ’s aluminum knuckles require either knuckle or hardware replacement or aftermarket big brake kits specifically engineered with brackets for the aluminum knuckle. The 2024+ BRZ tS model uses iron knuckles to accommodate the factory Brembo brake package.

Practical Impact: For wheel fitment purposes, this primarily affects spoke clearance requirements for big brake applications. Standard brake setups fit identically on both vehicles.

Additional Resources

• Tire Compatibility: See the ZD8/ZN8 FT86 Tire Guide for tire size recommendations, diameter calculations, and load ratings
• Quick Reference: Second-Generation FT86 Wheel and Tire Cheatsheet for validated wheel and tire pairings
• Where to Buy: Tire Rack for tires with nationwide network of recommended installers

Remember: Actual fitment varies based on wheel design (spoke profile, barrel shape), tire selection, suspension setup, ride height, camber, and fender condition. Always verify fitment for your specific combination before purchasing. When in doubt, consult a professional installer or experienced community members on forums such as ft86club.com. All information provided is based on extensive research and community trial and error. Please evaluate and verify fitment data at your own discretion as you assume all risks when modifying your vehicle.