Fitting a 35 in the spare tire location.

[xcmountain80]

What is involved in prepping the space for the spare tire to fit a 315/75/16 Nitto Terra Grappler in a 2002 4Runner ? I know Sonoran Steel did this a decade ago before he fabbed up a rear bumper IIRC. I’m already running a deflated 295/75/16 Nitto Terra Grappler there now and while tight it still goes in and out with ease. I found a great deal on a set of (4) TG’s and figured I’d better not pass them up.

Aaron

 

[the great him]

i dont think you can fit one, unless you cut the frame and have an aftermarket rear bumper with-out a towing package even then i think a 315 is too big, i think SS did it with a 305

 

[l3igl3ang]

nope not going to work i tired it on my older yota with a 33 and wouldnt fit, also it look like the truck had a big **** comeing out lol

 

[xcmountain80]

Well dang, I though perhaps since the 315 and the 295 are fairly close in size it might be doable.

LT295/75R16 D123Q 200-030 DIA 33.27 Width 11.73
LT315/75R16 D121Q 200-040 DIA 34.49 Width 12.32

Difference of 1.22 inches in diameter and .59 in width.....

I wouldn't say I have a ton of room under there now but deflated like mine is now 1 1/4" inches doesn't seem like a tone considering the malleability of rubber.

Worse case I could just run the 295 as a spare to the 315's as long as it's in the front and it's unlocked I shouldn't have an issue. The rear has a LSD to different size tires is a no go.

Aaron

 

[Bandit Runner]

I run 35's on my truck, and I have a 255/85R16 tire as a spare. (Its about a 34" tire) I fit it in the stock location, but I removed the stock hitch receiver and bumper, and have a custom rear bumper. It fits, but is getting kind of close to the exhaust (about 1.5" gap between them). I think a 35" tire would fit, but you might have to reroute the exhaust.

Also, I'm pretty sure that Steve at Sonoran did have a 35" tire under there, with his custom spare tire mount.

Good luck.

 

[Bighead2001]

The rear cross-member has been cut-out and replaced with one that is raised up to take advantage of the 1.5" BL. The tire is deflated, raised into position and re-inflated with 10-12 lbs of air...basically wedging it between the frame rails.

It has worked fine for several years. I just have to make sure I always have an air supply in my 4Runner for when I need to re-inflate the spare.

Aaron...drop Steve an e-mail asking about this. I believe at one time he was running a narrow spare (maybe a Swamper) instead of a match for the other 4 tires. If it wasn't him he might know who it was.

 

[xcmountain80]

I'll do that, I'm wondering if this might be cost prohibitive given the additional cost and modification for a set of reasonably priced tires.

3k Miles old 315 TG's $500
Either wheel spacers for my LX450 wheels or UCA' $160-$500
Modding the upper cross member $?
Already have a 1" BL don't imagine I'll have to raise the body any more.

Vs.

New set of 295 TG's $1200 installed w/road hzd.

Yea Y ea I know I tend to overthink things.

A

 

[xcmountain80]

Sonoran Steel said

Aaron-

I had the custom rear bumper and you need the extra room it provides.
The you just cut out the stock cross member and weld in one with 90
ends that sits on top of the frame. The hitch and stock rear bumper
are the liming factors.

Steve

 

[rickashay]

Don't you guys worry about damaging the tire having it mounted underneath? I guess if its mostly deflated it will be more malleable but you gain so much clearance with an aftermarket bumper and then have your spare tire sticking way below....

 

[xcmountain80]

Don't you guys worry about damaging the tire having it mounted underneath? I guess if its mostly deflated it will be more malleable but you gain so much clearance with an aftermarket bumper and then have your spare tire sticking way below....

In the current setup the answer would be no, as the hitch is down far enough to protected the rims. I've drug my ass (literally) up and down and like you said it just flexes and really haven't had an issue, perhaps just dumb luck. I've contacted Perkins Performance with interest regarding a swing out rear bumper. I'd like to run 35's but we will see, not to mention the damn things are $500 vs. $1200 for a new set of tires.

A