2005 V8: Budget skinny 33"s for spare? (255-80-17?)

[Iron Chef]

About my rig:

• 2005 V8
• Aprox 3.5" lift (Yotamafia)
• Rims: Method 312s (17" x 8.5")
• Mud Tires: Falken WILDPEAK M/T01 LT285/70R17/ 113Q (32.8" x 11")

I'm looking for a skinny 33" tire that will fit the stock spare location.

I'm aware that compared to the V6s, the V8's tow hitch has less clearance for a larger-than-stock spare tire, but I've read that in general, a skinny 255-80-17 should fit fine without much hassle.

Looking for recommendations for such a spare, that's on the budget side.

• For reference, looks like a single TOYO TIRE OPEN COUNTRY A/T III LT255 /80 R17 will set me back $285.
• First of all, would this fit OK in the spare?
• Any other cheaper options that I can reasonably buy easily?
• How would I go about getting something that's used?

And on a related note, when it comes time to replace the 4 mud tires, I'd be looking at skinny 33" to replace those well, but sticking with high performance/capability mud tires.

• I'm only able to easily find this (at least as of today) for $305 each - BFGOODRICH MUD TERRAIN T/A KM2 LT255 /80 R17
• Is that pretty much my best/only choice?
• Would these fit my aftermarket rims from Method?

 

[JustRidin]

Falken Wildpeaks maybe?

 

[joec500]

Oooo this is a great idea! Have you seen anyone else do this to success I may just get another K02 in that size for a spare.

 

[JustRidin]

Well, I remember a post where someone did fit a Wildpeak in that size in the spare location, however, I'm unable to find it now. It may not have been on these boards though.

If I recall they had mentioned airing it down, raising it into place, and then inflating it to get it to fit though.

 

[EdmundGTP]

06 V8 with a tow hitch and a 285-70-17 fits just fine.

 

[LOSTR4]

...and if it doesn't fit or is a bit too tight, deflate it a bit! You can almost fit a 35" in there so a 33" will without too much trouble!

 

[Iron Chef]

Thanking for the replies. I think the safest way to go is just to bring the car into any shop and try to fit one of my existing 33" M/T's into the spare, and see exactly what I'd be working with. And using the results as a gauge for what to expect if I put a 33" pizza cutter there.

And after doing a bit more research, looks like a WildPeak A/T3W is what I'll be going with. Eventually I'll want a full set of these as well, when my M/T's wear out.

 

[Iron Chef]

06 V8 with a tow hitch and a 285-70-17 fits just fine.

That's awesome to know!

 

[JustRidin]

And after doing a bit more research, looks like a WildPeak A/T3W is what I'll be going with. Eventually I'll want a full set of these as well, when my M/T's wear out.

Nice! Post up your results when you get it. That's the tire / size I'm currently leaning towards when I eventually lift mine.

 

[Forum148]

Would love to see pictures of this once you get it fitted. I currently run this size of wild peaks and would love to get a full size spare fit in the factory space.

 

[Iron Chef]

Welp, for anyone curious, here's what I found for my rig after a trip to a shop.

With the stock spare tire lowered and out of the way, I can see the two stopper brackets that might take away some ground clearance when I lift a fat 33" up there:

When I lift one of my 33" M/T's into the spare pocket, it won't fit while inflated normally. It will make contact at the tow hitch, and then with a sway bar (?) on the other end:

So it looks like for a 33" tire (fat or skinny), it's going to need to be deflated in order to deform enough to fit into the spare pocket

• And even then, I probably need to chop the two stopper brackets to gain a bit of clearance with a tire under there.

Does anyone have a different assessment of the situation?

 

[Iron Chef]

06 V8 with a tow hitch and a 285-70-17 fits just fine.

Did you need to deflate your 285-70-17 before it can squeeze up there? Or any other mods done around the spare pocket area?

 

[Mrtranxd]

04 v8 here. I have a 285/70/17 Nitto Ridgegrappler on a stock rim that is deflated in the stock spare location. It rubs very slightly against the panhard bar but thats not a serious issue to me. I made no other modifications to make it fit.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Did you need to deflate your 285-70-17 before it can squeeze up there? Or any other mods done around the spare pocket area?

The spare is typically inflated to 20-ish psi. I keep a compressor on board.

No other mods. It helps if you manually "pilot" the positioning of the tire as it's drawn up into the spare space, ensuring that the sidewall doesn't get hung up on the panhard bar as it goes up. The tread of my spare touches against the panhard bar. Been that way for years without any issues.

Over the years I've put Goodyear Duratracs, BFG AT KO2's, and BFG MT's, (all 287-70-17) in various states of wear up in the spare location.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Welp, for anyone curious, here's what I found for my rig after a trip to a shop.

With the stock spare tire lowered and out of the way, I can see the two stopper brackets that might take away some ground clearance when I lift a fat 33" up there:

When I lift one of my 33" M/T's into the spare pocket, it won't fit while inflated normally. It will make contact at the tow hitch, and then with a sway bar (?) on the other end:

So it looks like for a 33" tire (fat or skinny), it's going to need to be deflated in order to deform enough to fit into the spare pocket

• And even then, I probably need to chop the two stopper brackets to gain a bit of clearance with a tire under there.

Does anyone have a different assessment of the situation?

Let some air out down to 20 ish psi and try pushing up on the forward end of the spare tire as you crank it up into place, so that the tread face slips past the panhard bar, instead of hanging up on it like your picture.

 

[Iron Chef]

The spare is typically inflated to 20-ish psi. I keep a compressor on board.

No other mods. It helps if you manually "pilot" the positioning of the tire as it's drawn up into the spare space, ensuring that the sidewall doesn't get hung up on the panhard bar as it goes up. The tread of my spare touches against the panhard bar. Been that way for years without any issues.

Over the years I've put Goodyear Duratracs, BFG AT KO2's, and BFG MT's, (all 287-70-17) in various states of wear up in the spare location.

Got it, sounds simple enough! I'll give it a go. Thanks!