Using Spare Tire

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Apr 14, 2004
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I'm running standard Mich. LTX tires on my 96 FZJ80. My DS rear tire I noticed had some tread damage and I want to know if I can use my LTX spare tire as a replacement. I probably will need to change all of my existing tires in about 20K. The spare tire has not ever been used. I thought I remember reading a post that using a fresh tire with used ones can cause problem. Is that true? Thks.
 
It could cause the VC to lock up.
I would not drive too long that way.
Go to a used tire store and see if you can find one with the same amount of tread wear.
 
[quote author=landtoy80 link=board=2;threadid=15093;start=msg142274#msg142274 date=1082486623]
Go to a used tire store and see if you can find one with the same amount of tread wear.
[/quote]

good luck...
 
You might find a tire store that could remove some of the tread on your spare so it would match the other three.
 
I would be somewhat surprised if it would make enough difference to cause a problem in this case. The reason I lean that way is because Toyota is very thorough in the owners manual and no mention is made regarding a warning about mixing a new spare with tires of the same size on the ground that are worn. An under-inflated tire is likely as bad or worse and no mention is made of that either.

I grabbed a 94 manual and it states "Toyota recommends that all four tires, or at least both of the front or rear tires be replaced at a time as a set" Nowhere did I see any mention of adverse effects on the coupler from tire or inflation variances.
 
If you do run one or more odd size tires, keep an eye on when you make sharp turns. If it feels like the center diff is locked ( tires binding up ) get new tires.
 
on a similar note, slight hijack, has anybody ever measured T-case temps?

the PO never used the spare but had recently put on a new set of LTX's I went to put the spare in rotation and noticed (fortunately) it looked different from the rest, turns out the new set of LTX's are 265/70's and the spare is the stock 275/70, replaced the 8 year old spare with a new 265/70 and installed it on the front left and moved the most worn tread (measured tread with depth micrometer) to the spare position, and rotated the rest for the FSM

a few days ago I bought a infrared non contact thermometer, T-case is running 188*F after a 35 mile freeway commute on a upper 80's spring day, seams a little warm considering the transmission is 141* and oil pan is 191*, I wish I had before and after T-case temps but only recently bought the thermometer

I do not get any feeling that the VC locks up
 
[quote author=RavenTai link=board=2;threadid=15093;start=msg142466#msg142466 date=1082509905]
...a few days ago I bought a infrared non contact thermometer, T-case is running 188*F after a 35 mile freeway commute on a upper 80's spring day, seams a little warm considering the transmission is 141* ...
[/quote]

I would attribute the difference in large part to the fact that the transmission has a cooler and 4x the fluid capacity. Hook up a max weight trailer and drag it up the steepest mountain highway you can find on a hot summer day and check again!
 
otis24,

Just guessing here since you didn't give us a lot of information. If you're planning to replace in 20k miles then you're probably in the 50% wear range. If that's the case, and the spare is the same size as the other tyres then I would rotate in the spare if it were me. I would do it if the tyres were worn more than 50%, maybe with less than 20% left depending on the circumstances.

-B-
 
Based on CDan's research, wouldn't the prudent approach be to buy another new tire and replace both fronts or both rears with the new tire and the old never-used spare?

Ed
 
I'm with Dan on this.
I noticed the same note in the manual where it did not look like they are too worried about this whole issue.
I checked my tires. Tires have about 30K on them, spare is new. IIRC I calculated about 1% difference in diameter between my worst used and the new spare. Didn't calculate how much slip that might result in in the VC, but doubt it's very significant.
Probably falls within the noise as far as diameter differences due to underinflation etc.
I would still get a used one to rotate if I find one easily enough, but that's just me being "overanal-yzing..."
No worries, mate!
E
btw, leaving aside handling issues, wouldn't there be more slip at the VC if you had 2 new tires rather than only 1 (for which the diff will take up half the difference...)?
 
thanks for all the input. i think i'll go a head and put the spare. If there is any funky driveline behavior I'll add another new tire to match the spare.
 
One note to using an old spare.
In the news there was a story about old tires and tire failure.
Tires get old and unsafe over time. Law makers are thinking of imposing a experation date on the tires.

I doubt that there would be a problem with name brand tires or with LT tires as they are make better (I hope).
Just check the tread for cracking.

That said, the Turd's tires show lost of cracking on side wall and tread ( Bridgstone Dueler MT) but I don't go 80+ mph with it like some of us do with their 80's.
 
I have Michelin LTX 265/75s with about 50,000 miles on them. My spare is a 275/70 which is taller, but skinnier. The first time it touched the ground after leaving the showroom floor was couple weeks ago. Found out that spare is alil f'ed up. Kind of burnt and the sidewall is indented. In no way would I drive on it daily. Maybe home, but not everyday.
Also, I was using my uncles 33x12.50 BFG A/Ts for a weekend and blew one side when coming out of a pit. Used one of my stock tires that is now on the drivers front for about three days. If I remember right, I drove about 150 miles total with 3 33x12.50s and one 265/75. Didn't notice anything wrong...
 
landtoy80 said:
One note to using an old spare.
In the news there was a story about old tires and tire failure.
Tires get old and unsafe over time. Law makers are thinking of imposing a experation date on the tires.

I doubt that there would be a problem with name brand tires or with LT tires as they are make better (I hope).
Just check the tread for cracking.

That said, the Turd's tires show lost of cracking on side wall and tread ( Bridgstone Dueler MT) but I don't go 80+ mph with it like some of us do with their 80's.


I blew out my Dueler MT on the TuRD.
It was not the spare but it was an older tire with cracks in the tread.
The tire guy said it looked like the belts separated.
The vehicle was shaking a bit and puling to the left. It was the front driver side tire that blew.
The wind was blowing hard so I thought nothing of it.
Use care when using an old spare. If your tires are old and cracked you may want to have them checked.
 
when i dropped the spare to give it a once-over, i found that the wheel was pretty much corroded to the point of ruin and the tire's sidewall's were damaged from ground contact and had blister on the top-side from rubbing against the frame. no dry rot evident.

i tossed the wheel and tire, as they were both unusable. this was back 2002. it's a '94, and probably had never been used.

$0.02
 
Having your truck towed with the rear wheel on the ground and the front wheels in the air will cause a huge difference in the VC and it will fail if abused in this way. The VC is designed to accept some difference and I don't think Toyota or any other manufacture would use it if there was a problem installing a new spare on a truck with 3 bald but legal tires.

Driving the truck on a twisty mountain road for hours at a time does not seem to bother the VC, I would think that would have more of an affect then a new tire vrs old.
 
Kurt,

Was that post a Haiku poem?

DougM <grin>
 
landtoy80 said:
What is HAILHU????

you are beautiful, kurt -- :princess:

Haiku -- A Japanese poem composed of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. Haiku often reflect on some aspect of nature.
 

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