Originally Posted by Drak

Reading the always informative posts here have provoked a question...
To start out, I lifted my 4Runner and went to 18" wheels years ago.

I have come to the conclusion my spare tire is probably a disaster waiting to happen.
It was with the car when I bought it 6 years ago, so it's at least that old, plus.
Who knows, it may be the original spare and it is the stock 17" wheel/tire.

In 6 years running my Cooper AT/3's (on the second set now), I've never had a flat or a problem.
But I'm really not covered if something actually happens and I don't like that.

So I was (pinching fingers) 'this close' to buying a rear spare carrier a few days ago.
Either an Ultraswing or a Detours of Maine version.
Either of which would involve buying a new matching tire and wheel.
So that's over a grand and maybe substantially more, depending.

There are many other mods I want to do to the 4Runner and I'm shifting budget priorities around.

So I thought, why not just replace the spare tire with a larger tire that's close(r) to my 18" wheel circumference.
But that would definitely fit in the spare tire cavity.
And drop the rear spare carrier idea to float those funds to something else.
And keep the cost down to just replacing the spare tire w/ something bigger.

Something that would be new.
And actually get me out of a jamb for real if I got a flat.
Because what's under there now, with running 18" wheels...not good.

What do you think?
I'm running 275/65/18's on it now.
I would want a spare tire that fits the 17" stock rim, and is a bit larger to get close to my 18's if I actually had to use it one day.

This is only for a real situation where a real working spare tire would be temporarily needed and would work with my 18's to drive safely.

Your thoughts are appreciated.