Spare tire protection for factory underbody location

TRD PANTHER

TRD PANTHER

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I am starting a new thread after looking, finding and posting in an old thread that was under engines/....So, I decided to post here for more relevant exposure.
Just had a new 285/70-17 Wildpeak AT3W on a new TRD Pro wheel installed to have a matching spare and 5 tire rotation. The cost of the tire, wheel, TPMS, mount and balance, tire certificate, ceramic coating my spare wheel and taxes cost me a whopping $580. I know they make a spare tire steel/skid protector, but, I was wondering about just running a spare tire cover underneath. Cut a weep hole or two for moisture and dust and use a padlock to the chain link.
What are your ideas or experiences for this? TIA
 

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There's also a company that makes a UHMW or HDPE skid for the spare tire. Way less weight, no risk of corrosion, and it's really strong (for a polymer compound). I can't recall the name of the company, but I think I've seen a few plugs for them on this site.
 
NW.OH.T4R said:
There's also a company that makes a UHMW or HDPE skid for the spare tire. Way less weight, no risk of corrosion, and it's really strong (for a polymer compound). I can't recall the name of the company, but I think I've seen a few plugs for them on this site.
Click to expand...
I did see it several months ago also. Don’t remember the name either. They have different colors, but, it was $159.
 
I have a 265/70/17 spare and have dragged the hitch a few times off road but there is no sign of scrapes on the spare. I did mount it with the valve stem down to be able to check it and I mounted it with the valve stem forward closer to the diff.
 
Espresso_OI said:
off topic question - your tire shop ceramic coated the wheel for you? or did you apply the same ceramic coating for paint, to the wheel?
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The shop ceramic coated the wheel. Not sure if it was the same application as they did for my paint, but the other four wheels I had done when I had my 4Runner coated over 2 years ago are holding up well and clean easy. They also have a nice satin sheen when cleaned. It was $50 to ceramic coat one wheel.
 
mteolus said:
I have it, the POLYETHYLENE one in black. I like, although I haven't scraped any lately to test its durability.

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) (Color: Black, Vehicle: Toyota lug pattern 6x5.5)
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That's it! I recall being annoyed because they added the PE to UHMW. It's kind of implied with the material. Also, price is up to $195. What's the thickness of these? UHMW is pretty expensive, so I actually don't think they are making a tremendous profit, unless they are using <0.25" thick material.

Edit: McMaster Carr actually sells 36" square sheets of 1/2" for like $135, 1/4" is ~$75. I think this could be a pretty easy DIY.
 
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Hmmm. Toyota uses chains now down there?
Been awhile since I have had a new one.

I have a Tacoma X-Runner, and while I was driving, the cable snapped.
Tire dropped on an angle and almost lifted the rear wheels fully off the ground.

Scared me a little. :flame:
 
Spare skid plate.com

Hey guys! It’s my company. The thickness is 1/2 inch. I make the plates in black, red, white and grey. Yes, the material is supper strong! I have a few skids currently in stock. Hit me up if you have any questions!
Thanks,
Zahman
Spareskidplate.com
 
NW.OH.T4R said:
There's also a company that makes a UHMW or HDPE skid for the spare tire. Way less weight, no risk of corrosion, and it's really strong (for a polymer compound). I can't recall the name of the company, but I think I've seen a few plugs for them on this site.
Click to expand...

Spareskidplate.com. The UHMW weighs 13lbs at 1/2 inch thickness, whereas an aluminum plate of the same circumference, 1/4 inch thickness is 19 lbs. As you pointed out, UHMW is super strong, doesn’t corrode, doesn’t fade, and maintains its shape when impacted. We have tested these plates extensively without any issues.
 

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TRD PANTHER said:
I am starting a new thread after looking, finding and posting in an old thread that was under engines/....So, I decided to post here for more relevant exposure.
Just had a new 285/70-17 Wildpeak AT3W on a new TRD Pro wheel installed to have a matching spare and 5 tire rotation. The cost of the tire, wheel, TPMS, mount and balance, tire certificate, ceramic coating my spare wheel and taxes cost me a whopping $580. I know they make a spare tire steel/skid protector, but, I was wondering about just running a spare tire cover underneath. Cut a weep hole or two for moisture and dust and use a padlock to the chain link.
What are your ideas or experiences for this? TIA
Click to expand...


I little off topic but have to ask.

Did your previous spare have a TPM?
Does your OBD pick up the signal from the spare TPM ?

Mine does not I'm replacing all 4 this week and was contemplating adding one to the spare but was told My OBD won't see it.
How about yours?
 
Rack said:
I little off topic but have to ask.

Did your previous spare have a TPM?
Does your OBD pick up the signal from the spare TPM ?

Mine does not I'm replacing all 4 this week and was contemplating adding one to the spare but was told My OBD won't see it.
How about yours?
Click to expand...
No. The factory Bridgestone spare tire and wheel did not come with a TPMS. Since my 2018 doesn’t have individual tire psi I’m not sure. The only thing I noticed was the low tire light come on after I lowered down all the tires prior to going 128 miles off-road. I did put a new TPMS in the new spare as this will be one of my 5 tire rotation. I don’t think it detects the spare, but, really not quite sure.
 
SpeedyKevin said:
Honestly haven't had any issues with my spare getting dinged from rocks. Can get scratch from all the dirt that gets stuck up in the spare well though!
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If I had a used 285 on a steel wheel I probably wouldn’t care. This was a inexpensive trial before my trip. I wished you could have joined us. Great time and group. Maybe next time. Three of the four 4Runners were white. You could have been the fourth. I was the black sheep.
 
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