So I recently bought what appears to be my dream 4runner (2005 v8), with a sweet yotamafia lift kit (4") and aftermarket rims + larger mud tires that was put on just recently by the previous owner:

• Rims: Method 312s (17" x 8.5")
• Tires: Falken WILDPEAK M/T01 LT285/70R17/ 113Q (32.8" x 11")

However, it still just has the OEM spare tire, which raises a few concerns. It'd be nice to have a matching 5th rim + tire but that would mean

• Those cost $$ out of pocket.
• I'd need a tire carrier (and those are $$$$). Cuz no way such a tire would fit underneath in the stock spare location, right?
• Changing this on the road or trail in an emergency is going to suck - the rim+tire combo is 100lbs!
• It'd take a hell of a freak incident to put a hole into those beefy mud tires. So the chances of it getting a flat is pretty tiny - do I want a full-sized spare just to deal with such a rare event?

I talked to a tech from a tire shop (America's Tire), and he says in a pinch I can just mount the OEM spare, just don't plan on continuing my off-roading trip if I was on one. My initial reaction is if I can get away with using the OEM spare in a pinch, that would be great! Even if it means I'd need to cut an adventure short.

But would that cause any issues (stress/damage to components) if I'm forced to drive long distance on one mismatched OEM spare? Theoretically it's open front & rear diffs so it should be fine for the smaller tire to be rotating slightly faster than the other tire, right?

Appreciate any insights!

I have 255-80-17 spare which is = 33" in diameter. Fits tight but inflated.

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Another option would be to keep a matching spare, semi deflated, and have onboard air. At least this way you have the correct size. Also, consider that these M/T’s are usually Kevlar or 10 ply. The chances of you popping one, or getting a flat, are slim.

+1. I also run 255-80-17s and have a matching spare.

Buy a cheap one as insurance and it should tuck away no problem.

As long as the diameters are roughly similar, you shouldn’t have any issues.

See if you can find a used tire in similar size (255/80/17 or 285/70/17). Don’t worry about brand or if it’s all terrain or mud terrain. Partially deflate it (if you have a compressor to fill it back up later), use a ratchet strap, and see if it fits. The V8 tow hitch assembly eats up more room the the V6.

Also, make sure it actually works as a spare and doesn’t rub your UCAs, fender, etc... This is especially important if you’re using the factory spare rim since it will have a different offset and backspacing than the Method.

Also buy a tire plug kit and keep it somewhere in the truck. Might be a lot easier to just to plug a tire and get home than deal with changing the spare on the side of the road or trail.

My solution: get tires that don't go flat and have true beadlock rims. I have never had a spare tire, nor have I ever had a flat. I run tires that are so thick that they cannot be punctured (they also weigh 110lbs each). If something happened where I got a flat...like someone shot my tire with a .50cal or a railgun...Not sure what could easily puncture a 1 inch thick sidewall... In any case, I can unbolt the tire, patch it from the inside, reinflate with my onboard air and keep going.

Thanks for that, Benz. That's the tire that'll be on my five new TRD 7" wide rims. Thought I might have to deflate some. Glad I won't!

It is 6-ply! (from Amazon discription) I take it that's still pretty tough?

Thanks for the input everyone! It looks like I should be alright with the OEM spare then - since no one outright says that's a horrible idea.

There might be other solutions in-between the OEM spare and going all the way (tire carrier, 5th matching rim + tires), but the OEM solution seems the most hassle free as a hedge against a freak event that has a slim chance of happening.

Great idea! Added to my list

Put the spare in the back?

I run my 35" spare in the back like an old Jeep... because I still haven't gotten around to building a spare tire carrier or buying a rear swing out.

35" Just barely rolls in the back straight up and down and barely clears the door when closed, if you're just running 33" tires it should be much easier to fit in the back.

Buy the right size tire. Throw it on the roof rack until you can afford a way to carry it on the back. Or get a 32" spare which would fit under the truck and be closer to the correct size.

I offroad in the CA desert and I had my first flat in 10 years from the volcanic rock. Tore a hole in the sidewall of my Yokohama Geolander E rated sidewall.

My friend behind me got home and noticed similar gashes in his sidewalls but his didn't puncture.

Get a cheap all terrain 32" and run it. If you are near Los Angeles I can give you one real cheap.

What tires are you running that have an inch thick sidewall??

There goes half of my trunk space lol.

I might take that option at a later date, but it'll be a while until I can put the money into a matching spare rim + tire. Other more important expenses ATM.

I'm in NorCal, but if I plan a visit to socal in the future I'll def give you a PM!