BEFORE Up-sizing your tires...read this!

Thai

Thai

Elite Member
Hey all,

Like many owners, i have up-sized my 4Runner tires...from 265/70/16 to 265/75/16, which is basically going from 31" tire to a 32" tire. I left the spare tire at stock size. I also have the factory tow hitch in the rear. The spare tire is very very close to touching the tow hitch. (2003 owners: i don't know how much room you have with your spare.) Therefore, the spare tire on 3rd gen 4Runner is limited IF you have a tow hitch.

Now, not to add more stress to your life, but if you do not change out the spare tire, you MAY run into a problem later on with a flat tire. If your spare tire is STOCK size (265/70/16), then when you mount it on, the ABS/VSC/ATRAC MAY not like it...because you have one tire that is smaller than the others (it is rotating faster than the other)...thus, MAY trigger the ATRAC/ABS/etc. during normal driving. This is IN THEORY.

Just to give you guys a warning....

P.S.: Of course, some off-roaders with big tires mount the same-size spare on the roof or on the back via a tire carrier.
 
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Hey all,

Well, thanks to RTDawgs on 4x4wire forum, there may be a solution.

If you do have a flat and must use the spare, then put the spare tire on the FRONT axle and switch to 2WD mode. By doing it this way, the rear axle will have the same-size tire across the axle...thus, ATRAC (operational on rear axle only in 2wd mode) will not detect a difference in wheel speed. Front axle is OK because there is no power going to it.

However, I guess you should still drive slow, especially around corners...to minimize the risk of activiting VSC (stability control).

So, in theory, RTDawgs' solution seems like a good one!

In another view, some people will say that the rotational differences between a 31" and 32" tire will not be enough to engage the ATRAC/VSC systems. Their argument is that ATRAC and VSC, by design, must allow for some rotational differences, such as turning a corner. Therefore, it's sensitivity is not very high. Again, this is all theory.

Whew....:)
 
possible solution?

Hi, new here, but I have a suggestion. Why not put a correctly sized spare (32") under the car--just deflate it a bit (or maybe alot) so it fits. If you have a 12v air compressor, it'd be a simple solution....

Regards.
 
chinochulo,

I think that you're basing your theory on the "collaspable spare" seen in a few cars nowadays. For example, the Mercedes ML has a collapsable spare. Basically, there is little air in the spare. When you take it out, Mercedes has an air pump to pump it up.

Not a bad idea. It is a PIA, but could work.

Thanks.
 
Upsized spare on 2004, 2005?

Greenhorne has the 265/70-17 (stock 265/65-17) underneath and it fits. The 75-16 should fit.
Click to expand...
But Greenhorne has a 2003 4Runner, the hitch was changed on the 2004 models (at least the V8, was it changed on the V6 too?).
So, has anyone tried fitting an upsized spare on a 2004+ 4Runner with the new load distributing hitch?
 
It'll fit! I have 265/70-17 as a spare and it fits with no problems. You probably could even get a 75-17 or 80-16 under there as well. If you're looking to buy a new set of tires, have them put on including the spare before you drive out. If they don't fit you're not out any money. The 75-16s will fit.
 
decampen-

Not 100% sure about the hitch... Go to a Discount Tire and have them place a 75-16 where your spare is. That's the only way you'll be happy and sure that it'll fit or not.
 
so what are the PROS and CONS of upgrading from a 265/70/16 to a 265/75/16 on a 2000 4Runner 4wd?

Will I notice the car will be higher off the ground?

what else should I expect??
 
When I upgraded to from the stock 265/65R17 to a 275/60R17 I did all five tires. Figured it was better than taking the chance of buggering up my 4WD system. Sold the spare back to the tire place, also. :)
 
I believe the different between at 265/70 to a 265/75 is 3% so when figuring gas mileage add 3%. You're actually going 3% further than your OD says.
 
A larger tire or a lift for that matter = higher center of gravity. Unless you live for the off-road, always keep that in mind.
 
Tire upsizing.

Does anyone have 265/70/17" Revos on an 04-05 V8 Sport with the Borla Cat Back exhaust? If so, any problem with the spare? I just ordered 5. Dealer's price, which I thought seemed quite good comparitively speaking was $135/tire and $29.95/tire for mounting and balancing. eight bills and some change seemed reasonable.
 
i dont know if anyone still needs clarification, but i have 265/75s and a 265/75 spare mounted in stock location on my 4runner and everything fits and runs just fine.

fyi, if you do run into problems with trac/vsc, you can disable it by unplugging the following in the engine bay:

ABSswitch2.jpg~original


this also disables ABS, so please be careful, and only do this for as small an amount of time on road as possible.

I unplug this everytime i go wheeling because it obviously allows me more freedom than vsc will give.
 
lee said:
i dont know if anyone still needs clarification, but i have 265/75s and a 265/75 spare mounted in stock location on my 4runner and everything fits and runs just fine.

fyi, if you do run into problems with trac/vsc, you can disable it by unplugging the following in the engine bay:

ABSswitch2.jpg~original


this also disables ABS, so please be careful, and only do this for as small an amount of time on road as possible.

I unplug this everytime i go wheeling because it obviously allows me more freedom than vsc will give.
Click to expand...

Good info. Thanks for the tip.


Will 265/70/17s fit a stock 06 srs without any rubbing?

I really wanted to keep the original diameter but may consider slightly upsizing if it means I can get a bfg at/ko in that size.
 
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I have a 265/75 that fits fine under the truck and with the tow hitch in place.

Speedo error can't be corrected but you can just figure +3% to your speed so it's only a few mph if even that and the diff really is only noticeable the faster you go. At even just 55 your real speed is only going to be off by a mile or two.
 
So is it worth sizing up? I've got a 1998 4wd and I just moved to Montana and looking to buy new tires within the month. What would be better for snow and ice? 70's or 75's?

I use my vehicle mainly for street driving and some off roading when I go snowboarding and hiking in the woods....
 
If you really aren't going to benefit from the extra height I'd just stick with stock size for gas mileage reasons even if it isn't too big a diff.
I went bigger for the reason of offroading and they do make a diff in looks when parked next to one with stock tires.

There really won't be a diff in the snow since the width didn't change just the height.

Here's my '99 next to an '01 with stock tires.
August192006029.jpg~original


August192006028.jpg~original
 
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