Desert Dawg build...what a switch!

[JSparky]

Ditto to what RCFJ said.. I was planning on running the same tire/size and figured a full size spare would fit, simply cause it seems most other people running 285's can make them fit, but every 285 is different. Any thoughts on making a spare 285 ST maxx fit underneath with a little trimming? I do know they also make a 255/80 that, per Tread Depot's website, is 2/10s of an inch smaller, so perhaps there's an option. I'll run a search but figured I'd ask here since you're currently addressing this.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Pretty much the perfect 5th ten build!.....:cheers:

Thanks momo! :cheers:

 

[Desert Dawg]

Maybe just get a 255/80/17 ST MAXX to fit on the OEM spare wheel. If it won't fit underneath, at least it wouldn't stick up so high on the roof rack.

Although i have no experience myself a lot of people have squeezed 285/70 and 255/80 into the spare spot underneath, have you tried to test fit it?

Ditto to what RCFJ said.. I was planning on running the same tire/size and figured a full size spare would fit, simply cause it seems most other people running 285's can make them fit, but every 285 is different. Any thoughts on making a spare 285 ST maxx fit underneath with a little trimming? I do know they also make a 255/80 that, per Tread Depot's website, is 2/10s of an inch smaller, so perhaps there's an option. I'll run a search but figured I'd ask here since you're currently addressing this.

Thanks guys; great suggestions!

I have not removed the spare yet to try a dry fitment, but I did take some measurements. While there is about 1.5 inches of clear space between the factory spare and rear sway bar, there is only about 1/4 inch clear between the spare and tow hitch mount or rear bumper cover tab.





So with the factory spare measuring about 31 inches wide, I need about an inch either way to fit anything near 33 inches so that is not going to happen. Not sure how anyone squeezed a 33 inch tall tire in there for a 2014 model, but the only possible solution is to offset the spare tire mount on the frame but that would take some spot on measurements and welding to move the tire forward about 3/4 inch or so. I also thought about taking the rear bumper cover off and see if I can move the tow hitch mount out more, but I would still hit the bumper cover tabs that I can't move. :shrug:

Ron, your idea about runnning same height but narrower tire for a roof fitment might be a fix, otherwise I will just have to make do with the front to rear tire swap if I ever do get a flat.

 

[RCFJ]

I just read 5 threads where just about every person to a man said their 285/70r17 fit. Duratracs, BFG MT, Nitto TG etc. These threads are a couple years old so maybe there is a difference in location of rear bumper/hitch for 2014? Only person who I know off hand who mounted a 255/80/r17 was [MENTION=77370]Gabex35[/MENTION] maybe he can shed light on this.

 

[Gabex35]

I didn't read all the previous posts on this but I was able to fit a 255/80-17 km2 as a spare with KDSS. Once I went to the cbi rear, I was no longer able to use it underneath. I have since purchase a matching spare 285 MTR but have not tried it underneath.

 

[RCFJ]

I didn't read all the previous posts on this but I was able to fit a 255/80-17 km2 as a spare with KDSS. Once I went to the cbi rear, I was no longer able to use it underneath. I have since purchase a matching spare 285 MTR but have not tried it underneath.

Did you have to deflate the tire at all? How much tread would you estimate was left?

 

[Desert Dawg]

I just read 5 threads where just about every person to a man said their 285/70r17 fit. Duratracs, BFG MT, Nitto TG etc. These threads are a couple years old so maybe there is a difference in location of rear bumper/hitch for 2014? Only person who I know off hand who mounted a 255/80/r17 was [MENTION=77370]Gabex35[/MENTION] maybe he can shed light on this.

Thanks RCF; I am thinking the same in that previous years of the 5th Gen must have slightly different setup underneath allowing for the fitment of 285s.

I didn't read all the previous posts on this but I was able to fit a 255/80-17 km2 as a spare with KDSS. Once I went to the cbi rear, I was no longer able to use it underneath. I have since purchase a matching spare 285 MTR but have not tried it underneath.

Thanks Gabe! I have been starring at your pics trying to figure how you were able to fit the 255/80R17s at 33.3 inches wide? Doesn't seem possible on mine.

255/80-17 km2

Really like your setup BTW!

 

[RCFJ]

My 4runner should arrive in 2 weeks, lift already purchased so I am very concerned about this. I hope you can figure it out and if you do post up pls. I also wont have kdss so that should help a little im hoping

 

[Gabex35]

Thanks Gabe! I have been starring at your pics trying to figure how you were about to fit the 255/80R17s at 33.3 inches wide? Doesn't seem possible on mine.

Hmmm, that's weird I didn't really do anything special to make it fit. It was very close the KDSS sway bar but didn't hit while wheeling.

Where are you having issues with it not fitting the front to back measurement or side to Side?

 

[Desert Dawg]

My 4runner should arrive in 2 weeks, lift already purchased so I am very concerned about this. I hope you can figure it out and if you do post up pls. I also wont have kdss so that should help a little im hoping

Well, hope to have this figure out one way or another...but will definitely post up pics if I do.

Hmmm, that's weird I didn't really do anything special to make it fit. It was very close the KDSS sway bar but didn't hit while wheeling.

Where are you having issues with it not fitting the front to back measurement or side to Side?

I just measured the available clearance from front to back; looks like lots of available room up by the KDSS sway bar, but only a 1/4 inch clear in rear before hitting the tow hitch mount and rear bumper cover tabs. Maybe I should try dropping the spare some as perhaps there is more give (wiggle room) than what the measurements indicate.

 

[MadeInMaine]

I don't mean to interject on your thread [MENTION=50014]Desert[/MENTION]_Dawg, but you mentioned a front to rear swap if you get a flat...
If you upgrade your tires to larger than stock, but keep the stock spare, if you get a flat why is it so bad to have a smaller tire? If you take it to a shop soon, what is the big deal? Lots of cars have smaller tires for spares, the donuts.

just curious...

Cheers

 

[Desert Dawg]

I don't mean to interject on your thread [MENTION=50014]Desert[/MENTION]_Dawg, but you mentioned a front to rear swap if you get a flat...
If you upgrade your tires to larger than stock, but keep the stock spare, if you get a flat why is it so bad to have a smaller tire? If you take it to a shop soon, what is the big deal? Lots of cars have smaller tires for spares, the donuts.

just curious...

Cheers

Actually, your are correcto mundo in that it's not really that big a deal unless you're totally lazy like me...lol.

I just figure that when I am out on a mountain trail with uneven terrain, maybe even in inclement weather or in the middle of 100+ degree heat in the desert, it would be a lot easier and faster to just take one tire off and immediately mount the spare instead of doing two tires (if a rear tire went flat).

 

[gm350reratliff]

Actually, your are correcto mundo in that it's not really that big a deal unless you're totally lazy like me...lol.

I just figure that when I am out on a mountain trail with uneven terrain, maybe even in inclement weather or in the middle of 100+ degree heat in the desert, it would be a lot easier and faster to just take one tire off and immediately mount the spare instead of doing two tires (if a rear tire went flat).

Not only that but, if you are in terrain that pops a ST MAXX, the OEM spare tire doesn't stand a chance. We travel a lot. You're not always going to be close to a tire shop. Even if you are close to a tire shop, it may take them a while to get another tire like yours in. That is why I like to have a matching spare.

 

[MadeInMaine]

Good words, both [MENTION=50014]Desert[/MENTION]_Dawg and [MENTION=32290]gm350reratliff[/MENTION] .

But just like the donut spare tires on smaller cars, there will be no damage if you use your OEM spare with 3 other upgraded tires for a while? Just a little lean to one corner of the runner...

Thanks for chiming in fellas.

 

[DRICHEY]

what kind of camera are you using? Pics look great

 

[Desert Dawg]

Good words, both [MENTION=50014]Desert[/MENTION]_Dawg and [MENTION=32290]gm350reratliff[/MENTION] .

But just like the donut spare tires on smaller cars, there will be no damage if you use your OEM spare with 3 other upgraded tires for a while? Just a little lean to one corner of the runner...

Thanks for chiming in fellas.

Technically, there is no damage if you use a smaller tire on the front for short distances on paved or moderately maintained surfaces. But you probably can run into problems (clearance issues, street tire integrity issues) if you're stuck on a trail and have to traverse rocks, ruts, logs, or slippery conditiions to get out. But if it's all you got...then it's a slow crawl out!

I guess it's all relative; if you do little to no real trailing/off-roading, using the factory spare is less of an issue. But if you do go mountain trailing, out to extreme and/or remote locations, or if in inclement weather conditions, I would rather have the full sized spare. More of a personal choice.

 

[Desert Dawg]

what kind of camera are you using? Pics look great

Thanks DRICHEY! For these pics, I used my Nikon D40 with a Nikon DX lens. The camera makes me look much better than I actually am...lol.

Now my wife is a photographer and she will be doing my next set (hopefully when I am finally going off road). She uses a Fugi X-E1 which uses 3 Bracketed Exposures that overlays the shots for some real nice pics.

An example with a couple of shots from the last photo shoot she did for my F150:





A shot of the Rio Grande by my house:



Anyway, I am stoked for when she finally takes some pics of the 4Runner for me.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Thanks DRICHEY! For these pics, I used my Nikon D40 with a Nikon DX lens. The camera makes me look much better than I actually am...lol.

Now my wife is a photographer and she will be doing my next set (hopefully when I am finally going off road). She uses a Fugi X-E1 which uses 3 Bracketed Exposures that overlays the shots for some real nice pics.

An example with a couple of shots from the last photo shoot she did for my F150:





A shot of the Rio Grande by my house:





Anyway, I am stoked for when she finally takes some pics of the 4Runner for me.

Beautiful shots of beautiful trucks as always. Man, I miss living by the river. Heck, I miss living in ABQ in general.

 

[TXmike]

i like the desert dawg sticker idea. that's gonna be sweet

 

[RCFJ]

THATS WHERE WALT KILLED MIKE!!!! Right over there on the other bank! :drum: