An Interesting Spare Tire Question

[Drak]

Reading the always informative posts here have provoked a question...
To start out, I lifted my 4Runner and went to 18" wheels years ago.

I have come to the conclusion my spare tire is probably a disaster waiting to happen.
It was with the car when I bought it 6 years ago, so it's at least that old, plus.
Who knows, it may be the original spare and it is the stock 17" wheel/tire.

In 6 years running my Cooper AT/3's (on the second set now), I've never had a flat or a problem.
But I'm really not covered if something actually happens and I don't like that.

So I was (pinching fingers) 'this close' to buying a rear spare carrier a few days ago.
Either an Ultraswing or a Detours of Maine version.
Either of which would involve buying a new matching tire and wheel.
So that's over a grand and maybe substantially more, depending.

There are many other mods I want to do to the 4Runner and I'm shifting budget priorities around.

So I thought, why not just replace the spare tire with a larger tire that's close(r) to my 18" wheel circumference.
But that would definitely fit in the spare tire cavity.
And drop the rear spare carrier idea to float those funds to something else.
And keep the cost down to just replacing the spare tire w/ something bigger.

Something that would be new.
And actually get me out of a jamb for real if I got a flat.
Because what's under there now, with running 18" wheels...not good.

What do you think?
I'm running 275/65/18's on it now.
I would want a spare tire that fits the 17" stock rim, and is a bit larger to get close to my 18's if I actually had to use it one day.

This is only for a real situation where a real working spare tire would be temporarily needed and would work with my 18's to drive safely.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[rdruss]

I would buy an 18" rim, used if possible, and a new tire for it, same as you're running. What are you talking, $300 on high side? It won't fit your spare location underneath so throw it in the back, that's where mine is all the time and I run stock 17" wheel/tire combo.
This way you don't have a "bastard" wheel/tire.

 

[RonJR]

Do you carry an extra fuel pump with the tools to replace it? An extra battery? Alternator? ECU? Seriously, if you keep good tires on your vehicle, flats are mostly a historical issue. I haven't changed a tire away from home for at least 20 years. I keep my spare under my vehicle, but I don't view it as anything but a wheel of nearly the right size that fits the lug holes and will stay round until I get to a tire shop. If I have to drive slow on it that's just fine.

 

[pauldub]

I would do as you've suggested and get a tire that's has a larger diameter but still fits underneath.

 

[gimlithepirate]

Reading the always informative posts here have provoked a question...
To start out, I lifted my 4Runner and went to 18" wheels years ago.

I have come to the conclusion my spare tire is probably a disaster waiting to happen.
It was with the car when I bought it 6 years ago, so it's at least that old, plus.
Who knows, it may be the original spare and it is the stock 17" wheel/tire.

In 6 years running my Cooper AT/3's (on the second set now), I've never had a flat or a problem.
But I'm really not covered if something actually happens and I don't like that.

So I was (pinching fingers) 'this close' to buying a rear spare carrier a few days ago.
Either an Ultraswing or a Detours of Maine version.
Either of which would involve buying a new matching tire and wheel.
So that's over a grand and maybe substantially more, depending.

There are many other mods I want to do to the 4Runner and I'm shifting budget priorities around.

So I thought, why not just replace the spare tire with a larger tire that's close(r) to my 18" wheel circumference.
But that would definitely fit in the spare tire cavity.
And drop the rear spare carrier idea to float those funds to something else.
And keep the cost down to just replacing the spare tire w/ something bigger.

Something that would be new.
And actually get me out of a jamb for real if I got a flat.
Because what's under there now, with running 18" wheels...not good.

What do you think?
I'm running 275/65/18's on it now.
I would want a spare tire that fits the 17" stock rim, and is a bit larger to get close to my 18's if I actually had to use it one day.

This is only for a real situation where a real working spare tire would be temporarily needed and would work with my 18's to drive safely.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Honestly it depends on how many miles/yr your driving your 4runner. If you are driving enough that you expect your tires to die from mileage, a 5 tire rotation involving your spare is smart. To do this you need a matching wheel or tire.

However, if your 4runner is primarily an off-roader or other non-daily driver, then I would just get a tire that fits your wheel and fits in the stock location. The stock location will fit a 32.6" tire, so at your tire size you should easily be able to fit something.

 

[Mr_Dobalina]

I don't want to jinx myself, but at 50 years old I have had one flat. That was due to running over a fairly sizable screw on the freeway.

 

[Tironeous]

Depends on how you drive it. If you’re mostly on highways and roads get something that fits the factory location and is close enough. Chances are you’ll be near enough a tire place to make it work. I carry a patch kit, fix a flat, and a good air compressor that hooks to the battery.

On the other hand, if you drive off-road or overland far out into the middle of nowhere it might be better to have an exact match (wheel and tire). It would also be better to have that spare on the back where it’s accessible, rather than underneath the truck.

 

[Keros]

If you buy custom wheels, buy a 5th wheel with the tire.

Should you damage a wheel irreparably after that model has gone out of production, you'll have an extra you can use. Side benefit is to rotate the 5th in service so you get a longer life.

 

[gaber6]

I just got 5 new tires and will do a 5 tire rotation to make my 60k mile tires last 20% longer

 

[Bluesky 07]

Four hours out on the way home from a road trip, we got a flat and that’s when I discovered that my spare was starting to crack from dry rot. Fortunately it got us to the house and to Discount Tire the next day, where I spent $50 or so on a used tire with plenty of tread to upgrade the spare. It’s just a couple of years old so problem solved for the next five years.

 

[Berty_K]

If you want a spare you'll truly only use as a backup, you're probably fine with any size that's relatively close in diameter to what you're running. Heck, you'd probably even be fine running the stock size if you're looking for something temporary.

But, if you're looking for something same in diameter to your current tire size (275 65r18), you'll want to do with a 255 75r17. Lucky for you these are stock Wrangler tires, so if you're patient, you can get them for cheap.

 

[xtremewlr]

Tire Size Comparison

 

[Drak]

All good information and thanks.
I think this one sentence was the most on-point fact and wraps it all up.

The stock location will fit a 32.6" tire.

That's what this is coming down to, the largest tire I can fit on the 17" stock wheel that fits in the cavity underneath.
That sums it all up.

 

[Berty_K]

All good information and thanks.
I think this one sentence was the most on-point fact and wraps it all up.


That's what this is coming down to, the largest tire I can fit on the 17" stock wheel that fits in the cavity underneath.
That sums it all up.

Not true in my experience. I fit a 33.1” (255 80r17) tire under my car.


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