Hello all, I am going to be getting my first 4Runner when the 2020 comes out and have already been planning future modifications and trying to prioritize them. One thing I have been curious about is moving the spare tire. I do plan on doing some moderate off-roading and was wondering if moving the spare tire for clearance is necessary or not? I know I see people that do it and it looks cool, but is it just for looks that people mount them on the rear? I will be getting the TRD Pro so there is already a little extra clearance there. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback around this.
Is Moving the Spare Tire Necessary??
- Thread starter Cdw4n
- Start date
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i would put it very low on the list. removing it will increase your departure angle slightly, but then the trailer hitch is also in the way so you won't see major improvements.
You'll probably hit your tire some offroading, but IMO not enough for it to be worth the price of a rear bumper tire carrier or worth the negatives with having that much weight on the roof.
You'll probably hit your tire some offroading, but IMO not enough for it to be worth the price of a rear bumper tire carrier or worth the negatives with having that much weight on the roof.
MAST4R
New member
Absolutely not.
And I don't know what you mean by "moderate," but moderate trails as rated by print 4WD guides for western states require exactly zero modifications on a 4R. Just better tires.
If you are using the measuring stick of someone running 40" tires on a truck that is barely legal and who fools around in OHV parks, then "moderate" can mean something else and then moving the spare won't save you anyway
And I don't know what you mean by "moderate," but moderate trails as rated by print 4WD guides for western states require exactly zero modifications on a 4R. Just better tires.
If you are using the measuring stick of someone running 40" tires on a truck that is barely legal and who fools around in OHV parks, then "moderate" can mean something else and then moving the spare won't save you anyway
Thank you for the info and that kind of goes along with what I was thinking. I am currently not planning on or wanting a new rear bumper as I just don’t want to or need to add that much weight. So this is good to hear.
Absolutely not.
And I don't know what you mean by "moderate," but moderate trails as rated by print 4WD guides for western states require exactly zero modifications on a 4R. Just better tires.
If you are using the measuring stick of someone running 40" tires on a truck that is barely legal and who fools around in OHV parks, then "moderate" can mean something else and then moving the spare won't save you anyway
When I say moderate I mean with the stock Pro. The only mods I am thinking about currently are sliders, roof rack, and a front low pro bumper with a winch. So thank you as well for your input and confirming that the spare should be ok where it is and therefore no need for a rear bumper.
i agree with your thoughts here! it would only slightly improve angle. Go out on the trails and if you continually rub or sit on the spare then make the change after you know it's necessary
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666HailSanta
New member
I kind of liked having a cushion back there for some ledges, granted it was a 10ply 285/70 wedged in there. Had to go the swingout route though when I moved to 285/75's because a fullsized spare wouldn't fit.
mteolus
New member
I have a 285/70R17 tire as a spare underneath and no problems. It's on the stock spare rim. It really doesn't hang down much further than the stock 265s. I put a P rated spare on it to save weight so I don't rotate it, the other 4 are C rated. I doubt I will ever put a metal rear bumper on it. I can attach other things such as a Hi-lift jack, Rotopax, or other tools on the roof.
Valid point. I carry the Rotopax and Matrax up top now along with my Pelican cases. I don't mind having stuff up there as that's what it's for, but I am not the biggest fan of carrying the fuel on the roof. But keeping things on the roof and already provisioned for is a lot cheaper and easier than dropping $3K+ (and waiting 3-5 months) for a proper rear bumper/swing out carrier.
Bumbo
New member
I got a 255 under there, fits well, and haven't noticed any issues off-road. I would certainly hit the hitch before tire with high approach angles.
Plus, these tires weight a lot, I like to keep weight as low as possible to help center of gravity. Moving it from that location is something I strive against doing.
Same reason I haven't added a water tank to my roof rack. It's convenient, but I really prefer to put the water weight somewhere else.
Seems like minor things till you start going all willy-nilly off-road getting close to a roll over condition.
Plus, these tires weight a lot, I like to keep weight as low as possible to help center of gravity. Moving it from that location is something I strive against doing.
Same reason I haven't added a water tank to my roof rack. It's convenient, but I really prefer to put the water weight somewhere else.
Seems like minor things till you start going all willy-nilly off-road getting close to a roll over condition.
MeefZah
New member
Just to clarify this, there is no extra height at the rear of the Pro; the front is raised slightly but this achieves a more level look only and gives maybe a hair more ground clearance and approach angle at the front. The back is at the same height as a stock SR5 / TRD OR so departure angle should be the same-ish.
And a spare tire on the bumper is horrible to live with day-to-day. Might give you a bit more clearance on the trail and might make accessing the tire easier but those instances will be 2% of the time. The other 98% of the time when you have to move the truck to load groceries it's gonna be a PITA.
Bumbo
New member
Spare tire on the gate is pretty annoying… I would consider it if I had a fancy bumper with a swing out, but ONLY if I could no longer physically fit the diameter under the truck.
It really is a last resort for me. I have a 32.1” MT tire and THINK it can be pushed to about 33” tire at most, I don’t foresee ever needing it until you get into a 35.
I prefer a 255 over a 275 or 285 so the thickness really isn't a problem for me when it comes to that clearance. Seems to tuck in there pretty well.
It really is a last resort for me. I have a 32.1” MT tire and THINK it can be pushed to about 33” tire at most, I don’t foresee ever needing it until you get into a 35.
I prefer a 255 over a 275 or 285 so the thickness really isn't a problem for me when it comes to that clearance. Seems to tuck in there pretty well.
4runner Jack
New member
This issue is the one thing I miss about my Land Rover discovery! I loved that the spare was mounted on the back. It’s way too expensive for me to do it on the 4R considering all the money I put down on it lol.
By the time you tack on powdercoat, accessory mounts, and even aux lights, it's damn near impossible to get any of the name brand rear bumper carriers for under $3K. When you consider what it is actually providing you (a place to mount your slightly larger spare, fuel cans, hi-lift, and traction boards), it really is quite ridiculous. All of those items can easily be placed in other areas for far less investment with only slightly more hassle and fuss.
Inevitably someone will say that they need the entire length of their rack for a RTT and that's fair, but to them I say get a hard RTT that allows for items to be mounted on top, or use a quality ground tent like most everyone else lol.
I am no hater of swing out bumpers, I've had them in the past and they have their merits, but when you get down to the brass tax of it, it really is an unnecessary luxury item that provides very little utility that very, very few of us actually really need. But with all of that said, I still shop them and consider buying one haha. Are you down with the sickness?
Inevitably someone will say that they need the entire length of their rack for a RTT and that's fair, but to them I say get a hard RTT that allows for items to be mounted on top, or use a quality ground tent like most everyone else lol.
I am no hater of swing out bumpers, I've had them in the past and they have their merits, but when you get down to the brass tax of it, it really is an unnecessary luxury item that provides very little utility that very, very few of us actually really need. But with all of that said, I still shop them and consider buying one haha. Are you down with the sickness?
Well thank you everyone for the input, it seems like everyone is on the same page that it is not anywhere near necessary unless you just really want to! Which is great for me because I wasn’t really wanting to for the weight and the cost, as well as it is one thing less for the wife to hate me for! :bravo:
KnowNothing
New member
paranoid about flat tires
I am somewhat paranoid about flat tires. On a trip to Iceland I had a flat and given no AAA there I could not enjoy myself until I was able to get it fixed a day later. So, I now carry two spares if I am traveling places where AAA will not be of help, like the Canyon Lands. One in the original location and the other on my roof rack last time and on a hitch mounted (ultra swing) tire carrier.
I am somewhat paranoid about flat tires. On a trip to Iceland I had a flat and given no AAA there I could not enjoy myself until I was able to get it fixed a day later. So, I now carry two spares if I am traveling places where AAA will not be of help, like the Canyon Lands. One in the original location and the other on my roof rack last time and on a hitch mounted (ultra swing) tire carrier.
have you ever plugged a tire? if you get a decent plug kit maybe you'll feel comfortable again with a single spare.
KnowNothing
New member
I have not yet done so, but I do have a kit for it. If I actually ever get a flat I will try plugging it and then maybe I can make do with one spare. But I worry a lot. I am the guy who gets to the airport 2 hours early and can't relax until sitting in my seat on the plane
