Spare Tire Location preferences ???

[Triton's Toy4R]

I've seen lots of pix of rigs with the spare tire on top or mounted at the rear above the bumper instead of underneath in the stock location. What are the advantages of moving the spare? I could see the issue of getting stuck on objects on the sidewall of the spare when it's underneath. Any popular uses of that space under the rig when the spare is moved?

 

[Stick Figure]

Departure angle and the fact that you can't fit much larger than stock under the rear of the truck are probably the two biggest reasons for the move.

I've seen some guys run air systems mounted in the stock tire location, or some of the land cruiser guys are lucky enough to be able to buy an auxiliary fuel tank that fits in that location.

 

[Pikeman]

Ok here is a simple breakdown.

Stock location best for weight distribution, but can't fit much larger than factory without modifications. (Steve @ Sonoran Steel was able to fit a 35") Also bad for departure angle and as you mentioned can get pinched on a rock.

Roof- Need proper support and bracket to keep it secure. Hard to lift heavy large tire if you ever need to change it. Add weight up high on an already top heavy vehicle making it more interesting in Off Camber situations.

Rear bumper tire carrier- A little better for weight distribution than roof, need a properly secured bumper that distributes the weight over a large area of the frame. Easier access for the spare but adds a few seconds to opening and closing the hatch. Personally it only takes a few seconds but some people don't like or want the added time. Also blocks the view a little

Interior- stored veriticaly against 1st gen roll bar(if you have one) or like CJ80's. Horizontally can lay flat on floor or on mount elevated above floor. Roughly same weight distribution front to back as factory location. Vertical storage puts weight to oneside. Takes up internal storage room.

 

[ryankmasuda]

This will fit nicely

:: The Long Ranger :: Toyota 4 Runner

 

[BrianSD_42]

forgot to mention internal tire carriers. that would be my choice if I ever ditch the stock bumper.

 

[SRSRunner]

This will fit nicely

Ford F150 tanks will fit back there too.. My tire is on the roof and a PITA, I wouldn't go that route- I have to drive 3 hours one way to wheel, so after tools/beer, there's no room for it in the back. I took it out from underneath to keep from catching it on rocks, if i didn't need the tow pkg it would be gone too. If your looking for options- a rear tire carrier would probably be the easiest way to go.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I vote interior if you can fit your gear around it.

 

[BigRogers]

I vote interior if you can fit your gear around it.

Real nice....i dig this:thumb3:.....keeps weight were it is suppose to be, as well as out of the way. Looks like you got some kind of "bracket" holding it in place. Any chance you have a picture without the tire on it? Was this custom or an aftermarket purchase?

 

[Martinjmpr]

Stock location. Never had a problem with departure angle. I'm running 265/75/16s and no intention of going to a larger tire. Spare is a stock size 265/70/16 and works fine.

For the kind of travel I do (long distance overland-type travel) interior space is important. A swing-away would work and others have gone that route but I see no need - I'd rather carry other stuff back there and leave the spare in the factory location.

Roof is a no-go IMO - raises CG too much and it's a sonofa***** trying to lift a 75lb tire onto the roof. One advantage to the factory location: No lifting. Put the tire on the ground, slip the center tire holder thingy into the hub and then just crank. Mechanical advantage to lift the tire vs. brute force.

 

[Chris_Harby]

I am planning on putting a roof basket on my 3rd gen and put the spare tire up there, my question is, will that make my cg to high to the point where I will feel unstable in turns? I like the look of the rooftop spare, and I only really do light trial driving and on road interstate driving. I figure I could try it and see how it feels but what some outside input as well.

 

[JoeBand]

x2

on my pan american trip in my gen 2 i had one in the stock location and one on a drop down rear hitch carrier... we wanted the security of having two spares out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Chris_Harby]

Mines in the stock location Now, and hitch mount is out of the question because of a recovery shackle and I do a lot of towing in the summers, I also need the interior space so inside the cargo area won't work, so roof or stock location are my two options, I would like to do a roof mount, but I'm also gonna have a 40 inch light bar and hi lift jack up there on the basket so I don't want too much weight up high, I'm going to try it out though and see how it drives and handles with the extra top weight

 

[Range]

A nice solution to the tire placement is this product from CBI Offroad. I've put my tire on my roof and it definitely was a PITA to get on and off. I definitely wouldn't recommend daily driving with it because A) you think you have bad gas mileage now? B) plenty of other things you can do for looks, doing this just makes someone a moron. Kind of like people that drive around with their high lift jack, tire, shovel etc.. when its all for show.

Fold Down Tire Carrier PREMIUM MODEL | CBI Offroad Fab

I love rear bumpers with swing out tire carriers but I'm not willing to spend much dinero.......just yet...but also don't want even more weight than I have right now. $350 compared to $1375 and you still get to rear mount your tire, you save a ton of weight and even though you cant mount your Rotopax or Gerry cans in back, thats what the rack is for. What you do miss out on is the steel bumper which will not tear to shreds like the plastic bumpers but I haven't destroyed mine yet.

 

[Chris_Harby]

I like the idea, but don't have $350 to spend right now, and the spare has got to find a new home elsewhere because I'm planning on running a dual exhaust out of the muffler (just for looks, dont hate ) and going around the spare seems like a PITA so my only resonance options are no spare( not happening because I don't want to get stuck on the trails) or roof mount, and the hi lift and shovels etc, will get taken off when I'm not on the trials so I don't look like as much of a goon, but i have to figure something out,

 

[Range]

I like the idea, but don't have $350 to spend right now, and the spare has got to find a new home elsewhere because I'm planning on running a dual exhaust out of the muffler (just for looks, dont hate �&#56834 and going around the spare seems like a PITA so my only resonance options are no spare( not happening because I don't want to get stuck on the trails) or roof mount, and the hi lift and shovels etc, will get taken off when I'm not on the trials so I don't look like as much of a goon, but i have to figure something out,

Mufflers are different. They're necessary, lol.

 

[loafer]

The fold down on the trailer hitch would seem to be the way to go and if you don't want the shackle then drill out a ball end for towing. I like it because it keeps the rear gate from any initial damage from minor collisions. looks bad ass. then you could cover the wheel too for an option...just sayin

 

[7echo]

For those running the swing out style, how much does it impair the rear view?

 

[MasonT4R]

 

[7echo]

That is an awesome example, thanks MasonT4R!

 

[masphx]

Different vendors might vari on tire position on the swingout. Mine for example is custom made and looks to not block as much as MasonTR4.