My first post! Before I get flamed or , I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for. I was talking with Steve @ Sonoran steel a while back and he mentioned that it is possible to completely fit a 33" or 35" spare tire in the factory location under a 3rd gen. He said it requires custom fabrication by cutting out the spare tire hanger and custom fabbing an older pick-up truck style spare tire winch mechanism... so has anyone done this said mod? I'm not afraid to get the welder out and fab a custom one but I was hoping to get ideas from anyone who's done it before...

Thanks in advance!

Note:
*I don't want to put my spare up on the roof due to my screwed up center of gravity (My rig is already tipsy)
*I don't want to mount a swing away in the rear (I like my easy hatch access)

I know that it has been done but it will still hang down a fair amount.
If you have a body lift you may be able to tuck it higher (there are two body braces, one in the middle and one at the tail but the hatch latch). Also I believe the tuck was using a stock bumper. It looks like you have a Savage bumper. It may cause some issues.

I am personally very interested in this mod as i too dont want the spare on the roof or on the rear hatch. I really dont want it inside the truck either, and since i dont really go offroad much i dont mind it hanging just a bit in the stock location.

I know this isnt what you want to hear but please post pics if you decide to do this. Heck if i lived by Steve at Sonoran Steel id pay him to do this mod tomorrow.

This seems like a blatant plug to pimp my new project but I really just want to make something useful to fellow 4runner owners. I should have a few interior tire carriers finished up hopefully within the next couple weeks that will hold up to a 315 vertically in the cargo area if any of you guys are interested. I have a guy at a local fab shop working on a couple pieces for me right now that I couldn't make myself. I haven't talked to him extensively about cost of powdercoating but it is an option that he offers. I'm just going to rattle can mine but realize others might want something more durable. Sorry, I don't have a pic of the finished product as I don't have one finished yet, but it will be soon.

Sounds pretty cool. I can't wait to see pics.

your first problem is you was talking to sonoran steel, and second, I agree with Gerdo, YES, it has been done, I know a few people that have done it and still utting a 33 in the stock location, just air it down a little

LOL @ Sonoran Steel comment, whats that about though?

Hmm, wonder if i can "air down" a 35"?

Steve is one of the originators of modifying successfully our 3rd Gen 4 Runners. I can tell you my initial thoughts on him after buying my Rear only kit were that he is extrememly biased and opinionated. He is very knowledgeable but also charges a premium for his products, but not a bad guy at all. He used to have pictures of the modification on his old website. Seems like a bunch of his "Tech/ How To" articles are gone.

240Smart- When Steve did his he had a 35" under his truck.

Thank you all for your feedback!
Unfortunately, this project is going to be put on the backburner as I have been preparing to get "shipped out" for some time now. I'll post something up down the road when I get back.
Until then...

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I wanted to see if anyone had info on how the spare tire location would have to be modified to fit a 33 under there... I may look into airing it down to see if that will work but I would prefer to keep it aired up if its not too much fab... I'm trying to fit a 285/75/16 BFG A/T on a FJ cruiser rim if that makes any difference.