Alternate spare tire locations. Reasons, Pros, Cons.

[Road Bull]

Hello all, I really dig looking at what some of you have done with your Runners. One thing I have noticed is that a fair amount of you have gone with something other than the standard undercarriage storage for your spare tire.

I would imagine that size would dictate this necessity for many. There must be a limit to what you can cram underneath the vehicle, and it's probably not too far away from stock. I noticed many have gone with an aftermarket tire swing out bumper combo. Others have opted for tossing it up into a roof rack.

It seems that both of these would have pros and cons. I mean, I understand that underneath might just not be an option for you if you are running larger wheel/tire combos, but this got me thinking.

What did you go with and why? Pics would be great!

To me it seems that while the swing away option might make the most sense, it would also seem that it blocks a ton of visibility. Has anyone been rear-ended with this set up? I remember years ago someone compared simple damage sustained during a low mph impact to a fixed object. The rear tire with the mount seemed to be a damage multiplier similar to some front brush guards. Anyone have experience here? How much did it cost to make this happen?

Then there is the roof rack option. Why did you pick this? Is this as much of a PITA as it looks? Are there any tips or tricks you use to make getting a large wheel up and down. Is there any room left in your basket once mounted? How did you mount it? I have seen a few simply ratcheted down. Is there another way. Is this working for you, or have you had to use it and wanted to kick yourself? Cost?

Thanks all!

 

[LandCruiser]

Several considerations come into mind where placing the spare.

Moving the spare from under the back of the vehicle can improve ground clearance, especially if it's a big spare, although in practice depending on which generation of 4R you have this may not make a huge difference unless you're using a custom bumper.

Swing away tire carriers and door mounts are how it's done in the rest of the world where 4x4s venture off road. Since 4Runners have a liftgate, swingaway is the only real choice. Downside is that you'll have to relocate your license plate and possibly install a lighting kit, it is a pain in the ass to swing away every time you open the liftgate, and it obscures your rear visibility (and may also blind your backup camera without relocating it).

Hitch mounted tire carriers are shit. They shift the weight too far back, and can actually kill your departure angle. They also have all the disadvantages of swing away carriers.

Putting a spare on your roof will make your truck lean in corners more and more squirrely in crosswinds, the damn thing will also howl in the wind unless you have a fairing or something to deflect air over it. Also, have you actually tried to wrestle 80-100 pounds onto the roof of a lifted truck that can be 6'5" off the ground?

I like to KISS.

If it fits under the back, leave it there. If it don't then carry it on a swingaway, since other choices are pretty damn bad.

 

[UnderFire]

Every place you can move it to has drawbacks:

On the roof: More wind resistance, higher center of gravity, and you have to be able to lift the tire onto the roof and drag it off by yourself.

Swing away carrier: $$$, blocks rear visibility, one more thing to open before the hatch, harder to access back when parallel parked.

In the back (Cargo Area): Takes up space inside the cabin, can be hard to get it to stand upright, have to build some kind of cover if you want to haul much with it laying down.

I'm planning on building a little 2wd truck as a daily so I'll be going with the cargo area option personally, if the 4Runner is your only vehicle and you do any hauling, I would recommend one of the other two options.

 

[Road Bull]

Several considerations come into mind where placing the spare.

Moving the spare from under the back of the vehicle can improve ground clearance, especially if it's a big spare, although in practice depending on which generation of 4R you have this may not make a huge difference unless you're using a custom bumper.

Swing away tire carriers and door mounts are how it's done in the rest of the world where 4x4s venture off road. Since 4Runners have a liftgate, swingaway is the only real choice. Downside is that you'll have to relocate your license plate and possibly install a lighting kit, it is a pain in the ass to swing away every time you open the liftgate, and it obscures your rear visibility (and may also blind your backup camera without relocating it).

Hitch mounted tire carriers are shit. They shift the weight too far back, and can actually kill your departure angle. They also have all the disadvantages of swing away carriers.

Putting a spare on your roof will make your truck lean in corners more and more squirrely in crosswinds, the damn thing will also howl in the wind unless you have a fairing or something to deflect air over it. Also, have you actually tried to wrestle 80-100 pounds onto the roof of a lifted truck that can be 6'5" off the ground?

I like to KISS.

If it fits under the back, leave it there. If it don't then carry it on a swingaway, since other choices are pretty damn bad.

All excellent points and seem to jive with what I was thinking. To me, at some point, some place other than underneath has to be your only option. So if you have the money and desire, the swing away is the best of the other options. If you don't, and already have a roof rack, and or, just hate the idea of the swing away to open lift, then the roof might be an option. That, and lots of praying that you don't need it.

Every place you can move it to has drawbacks:

On the roof: More wind resistance, higher center of gravity, and you have to be able to lift the tire onto the roof and drag it off by yourself.

Swing away carrier: $$$, blocks rear visibility, one more thing to open before the hatch, harder to access back when parallel parked.

In the back (Cargo Area): Takes up space inside the cabin, can be hard to get it to stand upright, have to build some kind of cover if you want to haul much with it laying down.

I'm planning on building a little 2wd truck as a daily so I'll be going with the cargo area option personally, if the 4Runner is your only vehicle and you do any hauling, I would recommend one of the other two options.

Good points about the center of gravity and drag. I play drums, so I would want to keep as much cargo open as possible. I am not sure I could get my kit in there or not if it had to share the space with an extra spare tire.

 

[UnderFire]

Good points about the center of gravity and drag. I play drums, so I would want to keep as much cargo open as possible. I am not sure I could get my kit in there or not if it had to share the space with an extra spare tire.

I play drums too, haha, I can guarantee my 4 piece kit (22, 12, 14) would definitely not fit with the 35" spare standing up in the back of my 3rd gen, laying down with the seats folded, it might be possible, mainly depends on the depth of the bass drum I'd think.

 

[Road Bull]

I play drums too, haha, I can guarantee my 4 piece kit (22, 12, 14) would definitely not fit with the 35" spare standing up in the back of my 3rd gen, laying down with the seats folded, it might be possible, mainly depends on the depth of the bass drum I'd think.

Always cool to meet another drummer. I might be even worse off. I play a four piece Ludwig in John Bonham sizes. So I have the large 26"x14" drum as well as the medium SKB hardware case to contend with. Generally, it's not too bad though. When the band plays out we have a van to cram our gear in.

This is one of my main motivators for buying a 4Runner. And of all the Runners, I dig the 3rd Gens the best. I am just trying to anticipate capabilities and limitations.

On that note, I imagine that some have, let's say have 33/35" tires with a 31" tire underneath.

 

[RTJ2651]

Spare Tire Relocation Pros/Cons w/ pics

I have had the misfortune of dealing with a couple of options here. It all started with a custom built wheel and tire setup that I purchased, and everyone was happy. Then one day, while driving through the construction next to my worksite, I stuck a 3" bolt into my tire, less than 2" from the sidewall. (read: no one thinks that can be repaired, without assuming some sort of liability, so no one would patch it.) They threw some fix-a-flat in it to keep enough in it to get me home. Thats when I knew that having a full size spare on hand would never be an option. I had to have one.

But where do you stow a 33" ProComp MX 2 on a custom rim? It doesn't fit underneath, as you mentioned. So, after acquiring a fifth full size replacement, I threw it in the back and began researching options.

1. Leave it loose in the back.
Pros:
- Accessibility, tire stays out of the elements, and you have the tire you need, when you need it.
- Cons: Massive loss of rear storage square footage.
- I have to wear a suit sometimes at work, and with three kids in the backseat, it usually means that my jackets have to ride all the way in the back, where a dirty, 33" tire now resides.

2. I considered going up top, via Gobi roof rack solution.
Pros:
- This is a great look.
- Frees up the cargo bay.
- Allows the rear hatch to open and close freely.

Cons:
- But I just can't imagine myself climbing up there to throw down a 100lb tire and hoping it doesn't hit anyone who may/may not be there. Bouncing tires are not predictable.
- Getting the new tire or blown tire back up there to continue the drive forward, without additional damage to vehicle. I am usually alone in my truck, so this may prove a daunting task, if things go south.

Gate mounted Swing-out:
Pros:
- I love this option.

Cons:
-Price is currently an object, and I have not seen many solutions that do not completely remove the whole rear bumper and fascia. I am a minimalist by design when it comes to my car preferences, so I don't like removing a lot of the OEM stuff just to make my car do what I want it to. So I don't want a whole rear-end replacement for a tire swing out, and I don't see a lot of options out there that accomplish that.

Trailer hitch mount. I just had this installed for about 8 months. (See pic.)

Pros:
- Saves cargo space
- Is not lifted to the roof, nor installed by removing it from the roof.

Cons:
- The monumental ass-pain it was to break the mount down, just to access the rear cargo area. This was more trouble than it was worth, when you consider strollers, groceries, school projects, etc, that are constantly moving in/out of the cargo area, it just wasn't worth it.
- The weight of the tire needs to be taken into account when using this option. When you have a 100+ lb tire on a stick, and you give it minimal flexibility to move (i.e., side to side, back/forth) it puts tremendous amounts of stress on the steel mount itself, not to mention the hitch receiver. I would not recommend this for anything over 90 lbs tire/rim total weight. My 33"s proved too much.

*For those about to ask, I got the hitch mount at Detours Offroad, ($150 est.) after seeing one on the road on a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I chased the kid down to get the info. It's custom built per vehicle, so get ready to send him some specs so he can make one for you. He has a FB page and is ready to work with you, if you have the time. He's a good guy. Just be prepared to wait for months for your product.

Long story short, I wound up going BACK to the inside mount, for the following reasons:

- I regain the backup camera.
- I don't need to purchase a roof rack for a roof mount.
- I don't need to come up with $1500 est for a swing-out mount.
- The strollers/groceries/kids garbage is moved around much more easily.
- I will probably have to find a cover for it, to keep my jackets from getting wrecked.

Now, Somewhere on here, someone was asking how to keep a spare tire inside without losing their subwoofers' precious square footage. I was able to do that by keeping the speakers in a shallow box, and realizing that only shallow profile speakers will work in this situation. Those pictured are JL Audio 10W2s.

That's it!! Hope you enjoy.

RTJ

 

[jwkilgore]

This thread covers all the pros and cons pretty well.

Short answer:
- If it will fit and you don't do hard-core rock crawling, then just keep it underneath. By far the best location for 99% of 4Runner drivers. Even if you are running greatly upsized tires you can still get a slightly smaller spare to fit. For example, a 255-80R-17 spare supposedly fits and tucks up tight for more clearance with larger-than-stock diameter.
- Otherwise, spring for the $$$ for a swing-out carrier on an aftermarket bumper. Hitch carriers suck for a large number of reasons, cargo-carry sucks worse, and roof-top carry sucks sweaty balls when it's time to change a flat by yourself.

 

[Crowcifier6]

After some thought, I'm going the roof top route, probably under a cover of some sort. After pullin my spare fromunda and having to repair valve stem b/c of rust, its not going back under.

I don't wheel, or plan to that hard, so center of gravity is not an issue for me. Rear mounts to me are A. Expensive, B. A sacrifice of rear view, and C. Restrict easy access to cargo.

The one time I need to change the tire, I'm sure I'll manage to get the tire down.Granted, I'm not 80 years old and running 35" steelies. To each their own.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Stock Location:

+It's tucked up out of the way and where it was designed to be

-Anything over 32" in diameter and over about 265mm width will most likely not fit well without airing down (which is a big minus in my book as your spare should always be near or at max pressure, you can always air it down when you need it)
-Anything over 32" in diameter and over about 265mm width will interfere with panhard

Roof Top:

+It's out of the cabin
+Doesn't extend/alter approach/departure angles of the Rear
+Doesn't affect the rear (i.e. rearview camera, opening hatch, ect.)

-Even "light" (i.e. 50~80lbs) Tire/Wheel combinations will be a pain to get on and off the roof
-Center of Gravity is higher slightly due to additional weight on top
-Roof load capacity reduced as you've mounted a permanent weight on the roof structure so that must be factored into when wanting to store things on top (this is something many people overlook without even mounting a tire up there. Keep in mind the factory load rating for the roof is something like 100~120lbs if I remember right)

Rear Mounted

+Out of the Cabin
+Easier to remove than on roof
+Looks nice and can be easily monitored (i.e checking tire pressure)

-Requires a special mount (i.e. hitch mount, full metal bumper, other solution)
-Takes up rearview vision
-Can make opening rear hatch a bit of a longer process
-Rearview camera may not be usable depending on size and how you mount it
-Approach/Departure angles of rear are extended as is over all vehicle length

In Cabin (ala old JGC style)

+Protected from the elements
+Less likely to be stolen (though security wheel locks address that for the other options)
+Easy to maintain (i.e. Check tire pressure)
+Easy to remove from vehicle when needed

-If you're doing 5-Wheel Tire rotations (which honestly if you have a full sized matching spare you should do) that means one dirty tire is going to be in the cabin after the first rotation.
-Needs jimmy-rigged strap set-up to hold, they can slip and need to be adjusted regularly (ask me how I know...)
-Takes up cargo space
-Takes up rearview vision
-It will rub and stain your interior over time if you haven't put pads between tire and interior
-Straps will eventually leave marks in tire if tightened correctly or too much (if they're too loose, see above about having to re-adjust them regularly) potentially ruining your tire and introducing permanent balance/ride quality issues.
-If you're like me and running a 35" tire, the negatives are apparent:

My honest opinion? Your best bet is to go with a good rear hitch/bumper mount and relocate the rearview camera if it bothers you that much. It's probably the best way to go...

 

[Nickk6]

will a 33" tire fit in the factory spot with KDSS if you air it down enough? Seems like it would still rub on the sway bar?

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

I have had the misfortune of dealing with a couple of options here. It all started with a custom built wheel and tire setup that I purchased, and everyone was happy. Then one day, while driving through the construction next to my worksite, I stuck a 3" bolt into my tire, less than 2" from the sidewall. (read: no one thinks that can be repaired, without assuming some sort of liability, so no one would patch it.) They threw some fix-a-flat in it to keep enough in it to get me home. Thats when I knew that having a full size spare on hand would never be an option. I had to have one.

But where do you stow a 33" ProComp MX 2 on a custom rim? It doesn't fit underneath, as you mentioned. So, after acquiring a fifth full size replacement, I threw it in the back and began researching options.

1. Leave it loose in the back.
Pros:
- Accessibility, tire stays out of the elements, and you have the tire you need, when you need it.
- Cons: Massive loss of rear storage square footage.
- I have to wear a suit sometimes at work, and with three kids in the backseat, it usually means that my jackets have to ride all the way in the back, where a dirty, 33" tire now resides.

2. I considered going up top, via Gobi roof rack solution.
Pros:
- This is a great look.
- Frees up the cargo bay.
- Allows the rear hatch to open and close freely.

Cons:
- But I just can't imagine myself climbing up there to throw down a 100lb tire and hoping it doesn't hit anyone who may/may not be there. Bouncing tires are not predictable.
- Getting the new tire or blown tire back up there to continue the drive forward, without additional damage to vehicle. I am usually alone in my truck, so this may prove a daunting task, if things go south.

Gate mounted Swing-out:
Pros:
- I love this option.

Cons:
-Price is currently an object, and I have not seen many solutions that do not completely remove the whole rear bumper and fascia. I am a minimalist by design when it comes to my car preferences, so I don't like removing a lot of the OEM stuff just to make my car do what I want it to. So I don't want a whole rear-end replacement for a tire swing out, and I don't see a lot of options out there that accomplish that.

Trailer hitch mount. I just had this installed for about 8 months. (See pic.)

Pros:
- Saves cargo space
- Is not lifted to the roof, nor installed by removing it from the roof.

Cons:
- The monumental ass-pain it was to break the mount down, just to access the rear cargo area. This was more trouble than it was worth, when you consider strollers, groceries, school projects, etc, that are constantly moving in/out of the cargo area, it just wasn't worth it.
- The weight of the tire needs to be taken into account when using this option. When you have a 100+ lb tire on a stick, and you give it minimal flexibility to move (i.e., side to side, back/forth) it puts tremendous amounts of stress on the steel mount itself, not to mention the hitch receiver. I would not recommend this for anything over 90 lbs tire/rim total weight. My 33"s proved too much.

*For those about to ask, I got the hitch mount at Detours Offroad, ($150 est.) after seeing one on the road on a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I chased the kid down to get the info. It's custom built per vehicle, so get ready to send him some specs so he can make one for you. He has a FB page and is ready to work with you, if you have the time. He's a good guy. Just be prepared to wait for months for your product.

Long story short, I wound up going BACK to the inside mount, for the following reasons:

- I regain the backup camera.
- I don't need to purchase a roof rack for a roof mount.
- I don't need to come up with $1500 est for a swing-out mount.
- The strollers/groceries/kids garbage is moved around much more easily.
- I will probably have to find a cover for it, to keep my jackets from getting wrecked.

Now, Somewhere on here, someone was asking how to keep a spare tire inside without losing their subwoofers' precious square footage. I was able to do that by keeping the speakers in a shallow box, and realizing that only shallow profile speakers will work in this situation. Those pictured are JL Audio 10W2s.

That's it!! Hope you enjoy.

RTJ

I like it in the rear to incorporate into a drawer system

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk

 

[a_double]

TPMS in spare

For those doing 5 wheel rotations, are you running a TPMS sensor in spare?

 

[patkelly4370]

I've been mulling spare tire placement for the few weeks I've had the 4r.
I am running 285/70r15s and I have yet to check, but I'm sure the spare located underneath is smaller.
The fact that I haven't crawled under and looked is one reason I want to move it.
I have/will be off-roading, I kinda live off-road.
Up top is a no-go for me.
So out back it will be. Swing out isn't an issue. Lack of rear visibility and camera aren't an issue (I've driven a pickup with camper and an 18-wheeler for decades).
So that leaves receiver or bumper. $1,000 or $2,000+.
I think I will go the receiver route until the bumper gets damaged.
RIGd UltraSwing UltraSwing Hitch Carrier for 4th and 5th Gen 4Runner - RIGd Supply will probably be the route I go. May relocate the rear camera to by the 3rd brake light if I feel ambitious.
Just the direction I'm going.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Bumbo]

For those doing 5 wheel rotations, are you running a TPMS sensor in spare?

I don't really rotate my 5th wheel in, but I do have a TPMS sensor in my spare.

I do like having it because my spare is a matching rim and tire.

 

[mteolus]

will a 33" tire fit in the factory spot with KDSS if you air it down enough? Seems like it would still rub on the sway bar?

Mine fits and I don’t air down. It comes close but I have about an inch of clearance. You can leave it slightly loose and pull it towards the bumper then tighten it if you have to. My tire is 32.8 so not quite 33 but I bet it would still fit.

 

[gfxcruncher]

I was barely able to fit a 255/75 in the spare location when I was running that size, it still had a slight rub on the track bar. Moving to 285/70 I knew I'd have to deal with the spare.

Inside storage wasn't an option, I have a drawer system thing and I sleep in the truck when I get out.

I can't fit in my garage with the spare on the roof rack. For a while I ran spareless and "threw" the spare up there when going wheeling. What a monumental pain in the ass!

I like the lines on the stock bumper cover and there aren't any replacement options out there that wow me, I do like the swing out component of them though. -- but the swing outs add a huge amount of cost to an already expensive upgrade imo.

Not a fan of the hitch mount things, they just look clunky to me and the reduced clearance is a no go. The tire is also too far away from the body for my tastes, amongst other issues.

Wound up getting everything I wanted by making my own.
Made some brackets that bolt to the frame and come through the cover.
4xinnovations hinges (@traxman25 those things are STOUT)
Inspired/borrowed the latch design from [MENTION=131444]C4 Fabrication[/MENTION]
the rest is mostly 1/4" wall steel.
So far I have no complaints with it, I like the tire high and tight, zero rattles or movement. Eventually I'll make a bracket thing that bolts to the ladder and holds a jerry can and the high lift.

Crappy phone pics: