Hi guy's - I have 2005 LX470 with the through bumper style hitch, and have been spare tire-less for the last two or so years. I am running 275/70r18s (spare still has factory size tire on it) but need new tires soon, so I will be putting one of my current (old) 33" tires on the spare when I get 4 new tires. In preparation for that, I made a bit more room for the spare tire to fit by lifting the front and rear support bars, as well as spacing up the crossmember that supports the spare found on various spare tire lift threads here.
My problem came about when I went to put my new spare back on after doing the spare tire lift, and I remembered why I had been spare tire-less for this whole time. I tow a lot and need a tow setup on my truck at all times, however when I went to slide the ball mount back through the hitch, it's too long to line up with the pin hole as it comes in contact with the tire a inch or so before the pin holes line up. I've tried tilting and shifting the spare all different way's to make it work but can't make it happen. This is with the factory 32" tire on the rim as well, so I know a 33" will not work as is.
Would it be safe, and possible to grind/cut down the ball mount so it's shorter, and can slide in further before coming in contact with the tire? Any other ideas on how to fit a 33" tire under the truck with the type of in-bumper hitch I have? Surely people don't drop their spare every time they tow with this style bumper.
Thanks for any advise.
My problem came about when I went to put my new spare back on after doing the spare tire lift, and I remembered why I had been spare tire-less for this whole time. I tow a lot and need a tow setup on my truck at all times, however when I went to slide the ball mount back through the hitch, it's too long to line up with the pin hole as it comes in contact with the tire a inch or so before the pin holes line up. I've tried tilting and shifting the spare all different way's to make it work but can't make it happen. This is with the factory 32" tire on the rim as well, so I know a 33" will not work as is.
Would it be safe, and possible to grind/cut down the ball mount so it's shorter, and can slide in further before coming in contact with the tire? Any other ideas on how to fit a 33" tire under the truck with the type of in-bumper hitch I have? Surely people don't drop their spare every time they tow with this style bumper.
Thanks for any advise.