Spare Tire Relocation

[BigMF]

I know there has been a lot of chatter about tire size and how big of a tire can be fit within the OEM location for the spare. I don't have my 250 yet and so hoping that some folks that already have theirs can weigh in here. The main point of concern appears to be at the back similar to my 200 series where the tire is very close to the rear frame/bumper.

With that said, is there any option for those of us that may be more mechanically inclined (adventurous/crazy) to chop and relocate/reweld the mounting point to give some more room? I don't think that would be possible with the 200 based on how you drop/raise the spare. In the 200 , it is via a hole into which you insert a metal arm that you use to crank the tire up and down. I assume that would be a non-starter if you wanted to continue to use that "crank" but might be worth a look versus a new multi-thousand metal bumper with a swing arm.

 

[OSS]

I don’t have one either but I bet a slightly too big spare could be deflated & scrunched down a little with a ratchet strap to squeeze into the underside storage spot.
Worth a try.
You’d have to inflate the spare to use it of course but that’s a small price to pay.
But if the larger spare is significantly wider too, it’s going to impact ground clearance back there.

 

[BigMF]

I don’t have one either but I bet a slightly too big spare could be deflated & scrunched down a little with a ratchet strap to squeeze into the underside storage spot.
Worth a try.

Yeah, I had already traveled down that line of thought as well. Hadn't thought of the ratchet strap but was thinking you could deflate it and manhandle it into place. However, I then began to worry that it might would be rubbing somewhere and paint would come off encouraging rust. However, the ratchet strap may halp avoid that.

I have a RiG'd Ultraswing hitch mount tire carrier that I've been very happy with. I'm thinking about not carrying a spare for day-to-day driving. I keep everything necessary for patching a tire, including sidewall temporary repair kit and compressor in the truck. I've never had a flat tire on my AT's during daily driving and if I did, I could patch it on the spot if necessary. Then, use the Ultraswing for roadtrips/overlanding when I'm more likely to get a sidewall tear and many miles from home.

 

[LCQ]

My 275/70/18 KO3 is touching the hitch. And there’s only about 3/4” until you’d hit the panhard, no matter what you do to brackets/spare mounts. But I’m not a welder/fabricator so take it with a grain of salt. I posted some pics in the pic thread linked here that might help.

Media - LC 250 & GX550 Picture Thread

Today I saw my first GX550 in the flesh. It was Atomic Silver with black interior. Thought it looked amazing. Got to sit in it too. Just about the perfect size SUV for me. Reminds me of my 80, not as big as our 200. This probably is in our future.

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