New Rig...Decsions regarding the spare?

[TroutRunner]

Hello,

Just picked up my 96 LX450 last week. Special thanks to 96LX50 (Sean) in Florida who looked at another for me that I passed on. Also, thanks to those in AZ who offered to look at this one for me.

127K on the clock, locked, and I think great condition for 10 years old. Everything works!! Owned by a toyota mechanic recently who says at 120K he repacked the birfs, brake job (pads, turned rotors, brake fluid flush), PHH done, AC dryer exchanged and recharged system, and tune up. I'll look closer later to see if I can tell what was actually done.

Plan on OME Medium, sliders, transfer skid, CDL switch. Hoping for new tires soon. Bumpers in far distant future (we're talking years unless things change and I get a wild hair).

So,

Got some 305/70 MT/R's priced out but not sure what to do with the spare. Since no bumper in the future, I'm looking for the PRO's and CON's of two spare tire scenarios:

1. Get the full size spare, tire carrier mod for extra clearance and do a 5 tire rotation, ending up with less clearance....or,

2. Get the BFG MT 255/85 with the tire carrier mod for lots of extra clearance, cheaper tire but a dedicated spare. I don't plan on changing out of 33's for a long time.

Thanks,

Troutrunner

 

[-Spike-]

How hard are you going to wheel it? Mild to moderate, I'd say compromise on the spare. Serious wheeling, you don't want to run a compromise with 20 miles of hard trail in front of you.

Option 3- Put the full-size spare in the cargo area. You could mount the 'compromise' spare under the truck and only put the full-size in for hardcore wheeling trips
Option 4- rear-mount the full-size spare.

-Spike

 

[TroutRunner]

Spike,

I'll probably wheel around 5-7 (Romer's Scale https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=79158&highlight=trail+ratings) depending on if I'm with others or not.

Option 4 not an option for a while, Option 3 was thought of but taking stuff in and out then under and in. Many of my trips will be with family and dogs. Gear for the group. I suppose it could all be left at a base camp but then I wouldn't be living like a nomad.

TR

 

[Romer]

Your spare has to be the same size as the rest of your tires as you have a full time 4WD system. Otherwise, you will damage something.

Sorry to crimp your plans

 

[e9999]

I did the spare lifting mod. Not a big gain really. And it gives me stomach cramps to leave a $200 tire under there ready for the scraping.
I did carry the spare in the back. Basically, it's a pain unless you're empty and with no passenger in the rear. A 33" looks huge back there, and it you have a couple of boxes of recovery equipt and spare, forget it with 2 seats in the back.
Basically, neither solution is great. Tire carrier is better but expensive and a for in town use.

 

[-Spike-]

Your spare has to be the same size as the rest of your tires as you have a full time 4WD system. Otherwise, you will damage something.

Sorry to crimp your plans

I was assuming the tire size quoted has the same diameter as the tires on the truck, just narrower. That would allow for greater ground clearance. I didn't do the math.

-Spike

 

[C6H12O6]

You might also look at the interior tire carrier Slee sells. Also, a 33" tire should fit under the truck in the stock location. It's tight, but most 285s should fit.

I haven't done it yet, but I'm probably going to keep the spare under the truck as a DD, then drop it and keep it inside on the Slee carrier when I'm wheeling. I agree that I'd hate to have a high $$$ tire getting scraped up under the truck. I drag my spare on almost every trip.

 

[Zane]

I had the same concerns as you regarding the cost of a new rear bumper w/ tire carrier, but wanting to gain more clearance under my rig. I pulled together my own spare swing out tire carrier integrated into the factory rear bumper. You can see the detailed explanation/ how to here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=79390

I have also added a couple of pictures for reference in this post.

 

[-Spike-]

After doing the math, my assumption was correct. There is no danger of damaging anything if the tire diameters match, and the 2 sizes quoted are within about a 1/4 inch of each other.

-Spike

 

[TroutRunner]

After doing the math, my assumption was correct. There is no danger of damaging anything if the tire diameters match, and the 2 sizes quoted are within about a 1/4 inch of each other.

-Spike

Thanks Spike, I just got back online.

The specs online show the 305 to be 33.1" and the 255 to be 33.3". In the search arena, the 255 it is discussed some but not very much. I saw the positives as being:
1. Cheaper
2. Better Clearance, and lighter
3. Still a MT so I won't be in trouble when I use it.

TR

 

[TroutRunner]

Zane,

You appear to be a very talented guy. That set-up looks great. I think I may be a bit extended on that unless my father in law is in town (welder/metal guy).

TR

 

[Romer]

Surface are also matters. I would not run a tire that was a different size, but that's me. I ran Moab last year with the spare in the normal spot without the mod to provide clearance and had no issues. I admit I do have a Slee bumper with Tire Carrier now.

Run the tire in the spare slot and throw it in the back when you wheel like someone said.

If one tire gets damaged in 20K miles, it would be hard to match it plus the extra life using a 5 tire rotation.

BUT, do you what you feel comfortable with.

 

[NorCalDoug]

The 255 should work for your plans. IMO, it's an expensive alternative than getting 5 285s and doing a 5 tire rotation (I personally prefer 285s to 305s).

I just bought 5 285 Revos for the wife's rig -- the tire hangs lower than the Michelins we had (275/70) but not by too much.

Not the best spot for a tire if you're wheeling though -- it will get scraped.

The reason I don't necessarily like the 255 is that you're spending money on a tire that will likely (if you're lucky) see very little use. You'll end up with a dry-rotted spare after a few years that never got much use. If your goal is to have the spare as "insurance" then this isn't a problem...just seems like a waste to me.

 

[TroutRunner]

Other than scratching the tire how many have actually ripped open a tire under their rig. I guess that was my concern with my attempt to get better clearance.

After hearing Romer go to Moab and not have trouble I problably would be OK with the regular tire underneath.

TR

 

[cruiserdan]

a 305/70/16 will fit in the underslung carrier. If you raise the carrier using the washer method the tire ends up in about the same place as a stocker. I carried a 305/70/16 in that manner until I could the treasurer princess: ) to approve the expenditure for a Slee rear bumper.

 

[chitown40]

Keep in mind that if you are purchasing new tires, you can always opt for the $10-20 Road hazard warranty from a place such as Discount tire. So, if you tear up your spare, they will replace it for free.

 

[Nay]

OMG that stock setup is a PITA to use. You might as well just hang a hundred lbs of bricks under there. If you ever really need that spare in a bad situation, you'll never be able to get to it. I can just see trying to poke that lowering rod in there just right at night in the rain...your chances of being mowed down by a drunk driver while you are out there getting soaked taking blind stabs at some impossible spare tire winching mechanism are about as good as actually lowering that thing and changing out the tire, and then raising up the flat. Here's what to do:

Put the spare in your garage, up against a wall, where the mice can use the rim as a nice nest. You aren't going to bust one of these beefy MT/R's around town, are you?

When you take trips, either toss it in the back (check for mice droppings first) or on the roof if you get a roof rack.

The only note of caution I have here is to be extremely careful if you have a 7' garage and put the spare on the roof. You just never remember it's up there. Don't ask me how I know...but I paid to have an 8.5' garage height in my new house

Nay

 

[e9999]

yea, well, the spare on the roof rack isn't the greatest idea if the roof rack is the flimsy OEM one or if you don't enjoy lifting and dropping a 100 lbs tire great heights...

 

[NorCalDoug]

OMG that stock setup is a PITA to use. You might as well just hang a hundred lbs of bricks under there. If you ever really need that spare in a bad situation, you'll never be able to get to it. I can just see trying to poke that lowering rod in there just right at night in the rain...your chances of being mowed down by a drunk driver while you are out there getting soaked taking blind stabs at some impossible spare tire winching mechanism are about as good as actually lowering that thing and changing out the tire, and then raising up the flat. Here's what to do:

Put the spare in your garage, up against a wall, where the mice can use the rim as a nice nest. You aren't going to bust one of these beefy MT/R's around town, are you?

When you take trips, either toss it in the back (check for mice droppings first) or on the roof if you get a roof rack.

The only note of caution I have here is to be extremely careful if you have a 7' garage and put the spare on the roof. You just never remember it's up there. Don't ask me how I know...but I paid to have an 8.5' garage height in my new house

Nay

When I had my 94 LC, I had a BFG AT/KO grenade on me at about 75 mph. Glad I had a spare under there (and an America's/Discount Tire replacement warranty). When on the freeway, headed home after the 2004 80s on the 'con trip, I had a MT/R die on me. Glad I had a spare with me then too (and that replacement warranty again).

You never know when a tire's going to go. Not carrying a spare is foolish, IMO...unless you enjoy sitting on the side of the road until help arrives...if help arrives...

 

[Nay]

yea, well, the spare on the roof rack isn't the greatest idea if the roof rack is the flimsy OEM one or if you don't enjoy lifting and dropping a 100 lbs tire great heights...

Really I was just kidding...the spare on the roof would be about impossible if you aren't pretty tall. And you do want a spare with you at all times...it's just that the stock mechanism is a disaster.

All kidding aside, I can't imagine having to work that thing in the dark in bad conditions...it would actually be worth practicing how to use it....the first time you are never going to get it by feel.

There are no good answers for a 33" spare. Either it is potentially inaccessible in the stock position, in your way every day on a tire carrier, or breaking your back to get it 7' up on a roof rack.

Nay