Half inch difference in tire diameter

[gimlithepirate]

Just upsized tires on my 4runner. However, I have discovered the only thing more difficult than finding 5 FJ Cruiser wheels is finding 1 so I can rotate it in...

One of the options I've considered is getting a different sized spare. A 265/70/18 is only half an inch or less smaller than my normal tires... However, I keep reading that's a bad idea because of the center torsen diff.

How close do the tire diameters need to be?

 

[Drift Monkey]

Just upsized tires on my 4runner. However, I have discovered the only thing more difficult than finding 5 FJ Cruiser wheels is finding 1 so I can rotate it in...

One of the options I've considered is getting a different sized spare. A 265/70/18 is only half an inch or less smaller than my normal tires... However, I keep reading that's a bad idea because of the center torsen diff.

How close do the tire diameters need to be?

I think you'll be ok for a short trip - your current sire size is 33.1, the stock looks like ~32.6. Knowing the tire's manufacturer would give you a more accurate measurement.

.5" i think would be ok for short distances (to patch, etc) until you find a spare. Fitting that spare underneath though...

 

[ProjectKing]

Just upsized tires on my 4runner. However, I have discovered the only thing more difficult than finding 5 FJ Cruiser wheels is finding 1 so I can rotate it in...



One of the options I've considered is getting a different sized spare. A 265/70/18 is only half an inch or less smaller than my normal tires... However, I keep reading that's a bad idea because of the center torsen diff.



How close do the tire diameters need to be?

The axle diffs are what have to rotate more due to different size tires. I’m not sure it has any effect on center diff.

Center diff operates when vehicle is in turn because from and rear axles are turning at different rates.

I don’t think a half inch will matter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gimlithepirate]

I think you'll be ok for a short trip - your current sire size is 33.1, the stock looks like ~32.6. Knowing the tire's manufacturer would give you a more accurate measurement.

.5" i think would be ok for short distances (to patch, etc) until you find a spare. Fitting that spare underneath though...

Yeah, I gave up on fitting the spare when I went to the big tires. It ain't happening.

The reason I'm concerned is with such a weird tire size, most of the time I'm not going to be able to drive to the closest tire shop and get one. That could mean a not so short trip on the spare.

If I'd been able to find another FJ cruiser wheel for something closer to what I paid for my other 4x, I'd probably just bite the bullet and do the 5 tire rotation. However, I will probably pay half of what I paid for 4x to get a 5th! Just seems a little crazy.

A spare is ~120$ and fits my old limited wheels. A matching wheel and tire is going to be ~330$. If that's the cost of wheeling, its the cost of wheeling, but I wanted to make sure its not a case of being overly cautious.

 

[L8Shift]

OT - I run 285/70-17 and have a 255/75-17 for the spare. Fits underneath without hitting the pan hard on my V8. 1/2" diameter difference between the two.

If I need to use the spare, temporarily, I would air down the other 3 tires.

I don't drive enough to rotate in 5 tires.
I would want a new set sooner in my case.

 

[OzarkRunner]

Here's some previous input on the subject - https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2606354-post4.html. Recommendation was 3~4/32".

 

[hinmo24t]

i have the fj wheels x4 and run a mismatched 255/75/17 fullsize spare on a tire carrier and steel 17". itll be tough to find the single FJ i think...theres a lot of 255 75 17 from jeep takeoffs used on craigslist...maybe you could grab one of those and itll be close to your 255 80s...find a spare 17" steelie like i have for it and you should be fine until you fix your main setup. just wont have the matching 5 for rotations. also, 255/75 and i thought 255/80 can fit in stock spare location, with a bit of air deflated from it im pretty sure.

 

[OzarkRunner]

Also, have you checked places like wheelsandcaps.com? Looks like they have a matching wheel for $135.
OEM Alloy Wheels for 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser