Largest *deflated* tire in spare location?

[eln78]

I'm shopping for a GX, and I am researching what tire size I'll be able to get away with.
I've found several data points on the largest tire that fits in the spare location.

• According to this thread
  Biggest spare tire size? - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
  a 285/50/R20 fits. That's 31.2x11.2
• According to this thread
  GX460 Build Thread
  265/65/R18 does not fit. That is 31.6x10.4.

That doesn't give you a whole lot over the stock size, and I really don't want to carry it on the back, inside the trunk, or on the roof. But, I don't mind carrying a deflated one in the spare location, as I'm planning on carrying a compressor anyway.
Does anyone know what the largest size is that you can fit in there *deflated*?

I'm almost considering a 470 instead because of this. I've seen several mentions that 275/70/17 (32.2"), and a claim that you can fit a 33" deflated. I guess it's all because of the KDSS bar on the 460?

I'm a bit surprised that the 4Runner TRD Off Road (some of which have KDSS) can fit a 265/70 (31.6"). Maybe the tow bar is different?

 

[heynickhere]

I sub'd so I can find out. I was looking under my 13 and there isnt a ton of room in there. We also have the tow hitch too though...

 

[spd33]

I currently have an inflated 265/70/17 under mine but it does take a bit of manipulation to get it up there. I suppose I could fit a 275/70/18 (32.1") if deflated but it may rub on the rear sway bar b/c the 31.6" is VERY close already.

 

[eln78]

I suppose deflating might not help that much when you don't have *non-moving* parts to squeeze it in between -- the sway bar might rub regardless, which seems very bad.

spd33, what brand tires, and do you have the towing kit?

Also, if anyone out there has removed their KDSS system, does that improve the situation?

 

[spd33]

Yes full hitch and it is an OEM FJ Bridgestone tire in 265/70/17. Does seem that the smaller hitch would free up some space but no guarantee.

The best solution I've seen, outside of a full rear bumper, is Detours Offroad. They make custom hitch mounts that fold down or one that swings out. Detours Off Road Hardware

 

[eln78]

Yes full hitch and it is an OEM FJ Bridgestone tire in 265/70/17. Does seem that the smaller hitch would free up some space but no guarantee.

The best solution I've seen, outside of a full rear bumper, is Detours Offroad. They make custom hitch mounts that fold down or one that swings out. Detours Off Road Hardware

Cool, I did not know about that one. Too bad their website is down.
I had previously found the similar-looking Wilco hitchgate offset, which looks pretty good except part of the carrier would be in front of the exhaust, I think. They also have the hitchgate solo high clearance, which fixes that problem, but it looks like it places the carrier and wheel pretty far out from the car, and it doesn't look very good IMO.

This one looks like it might hit a sweet spot.

 

[Jstawgn]

Might need to look for 2014+ model.

Toyota change the rear cross member designs after the face lift in 2014. The length grew more than 1". I believe all are behind rear axle. This is very obvious in 4runner. The change on GX rear bumper are really subtle to notice

34" fit in stock spare location. I am not sure if this have KDSS or not

 

[eln78]

Might need to look for 2014+ model.

Toyota change the rear cross member designs after the face lift in 2014. The length grew more than 1". I believe all are behind rear axle. This is very obvious in 4runner. The change on GX rear bumper are really subtle to notice

34" fit in stock spare location. I am not sure if this have KDSS or not

Oh! Interesting. But then, there's that face... I wonder what else they changed. I thought it was literally just the front fascia and some entertainment system upgrades.

BTW in case anyone else is looking, the URL for the Detours Off Road web site is Detours of Maine.

 

[Jstawgn]

Many people put ARB or Ironman bumper successfully on 14+ model. And it look pretty good.

 

[eln78]

Jstawgn, is that cross member bolted or welded? I was wondering if one could swap it on an older GX model...

 

[Jstawgn]

It's welded but can easily be changed. It's expensive at around $650 plus the welding cost.

I looked at some part places and it shows same cross member part number between 2010 and 2014. So I might be wrong.

P/N 51209-35230 is the one for 14+ 4Runner shown as part #10.
51209-60220 is Lexus part number for 14+ model. So Lexus might stays using older rear cross member.

The one that came with my 05 Is 51209-35211 shown as part #12

 

[eln78]

According to this page, P/N 51209-60220 fits 2010-2018.

 

[Turbohardtop]

Sorry, I am confused. Doe the 14+ have less or more room in the spare tire area?

 

[eln78]

Turbohardtop, looks like '10-'18 have the same amount of room (or at least the same rear crossmember).

 

[JZGarage]

Thought I would post here instead of starting a new thread.

Have searched across all the GX forums and still don't understand - if the tow receiver is removed on a GX460, does this free up more room for a 32"+ spare tire at all?

 

[WTITW]

Thought I would post here instead of starting a new thread.

Have searched across all the GX forums and still don't understand - if the tow receiver is removed on a GX460, does this free up more room for a 32"+ spare tire at all?

I have what is supposed to be the limit to stuff under without deflating - 265/70/17. That’s 31.6”. I have 1/4” between the hitch and tire and 1/2-1” between the front of the tire and the sway bar on flat ground. I’ve never checked how much closer the sway bar gets when compressed or articulated. That would be my bigger concern. Maybe the sway only moves up and down, someone smarter than me can take a swipe at that.

 

[BigSwede]

I have what is supposed to be the limit to stuff under without deflating - 265/70/17. That’s 31.6”. I have 1/4” between the hitch and tire and 1/2-1” between the front of the tire and the sway bar on flat ground. I’ve never checked how much closer the sway bar gets when compressed or articulated. That would be my bigger concern. Maybe the sway only moves up and down, someone smarter than me can take a swipe at that.

What kind of hitch do you have? I have the factory hitch and I was not able to fit a 265/70/17 underneath, wasn't even close really. I was pretty disappointed.

 

[WTITW]

What kind of hitch do you have? I have the factory hitch and I was not able to fit a 265/70/17 underneath, wasn't even close really. I was pretty disappointed.

Factory tow kit. Bfg ko2. Got lucky I guess. @armedinutah said he couldn’t fit his (I think he was running coopers?) some people have ground the back of the receiver down.

You can also try loosening all the bolts, tap it back towards the rear with a mallet and then torque.

I just stuck my head under and there is much less room than I thought. Im actually touching the hitch and it looks like the sway bar rubs on it under compression. Theres no way anything bigger than what Im running will go under there, hitch or not… unless you were getting crazy and removing the sway bar altogether.

 

[BigSwede]

I'm not surprised it is tighter than you thought, makes sense.

I looked at grinding the back of the receiver hitch, but it looked like I would have only been able to gain a quarter inch or so, not enough. The spare tire I was using was the same diameter as the BFG ATs.

At the time I did think about loosening the hitch bolts like you said but didn't actually try it as it didn't seem likely to have that much slack in the bolt holes. Maybe I should try it anyway.

 

[JZGarage]

Appreciate the input. Specifically - does removing the tow hitch free up anymore room for larger than 31.6"?

Does anyone have experience with this? I have searched all the GXOR digital channels and still can't find any mention of this. I don't have a regular towing requirement so would happily remove any/all tow hitches in order to run a ~32" spare in the factory location.