Spare tire mounting position

[Roadking]

Tell me if this is the normal position for the spare tire. I just bought an '05 SR5 last week and was doing my normal looking everything over, up and down, since the weather finaly warmed up. I was under the back end looking at the spare tire and it is mounted with valve stem down toward the ground.
It just looks odd to me since every other truck I've owned it's been the other way around. I was going to take a look at another 4Runner in a parking lot, but there's none to be found. Let me know if you know.
This truck has only been serviced by a Toyota dealer since it was new, that's why I think it might be correct.
Thanks.

 

[spyne]

The valve stem should be facing up. This keeps the visible side of the wheel (when it's mounted) out of harms way while it's under the truck.

 

[icantsee]

[No message]

 

[Methodical]

switch it NOW. I bought a used runner that had the spare upside down.. the rim is totally jacked. Works fine and all. Just looks terrible. Lots of pitting and flaking paint.

 

[Roadking]

Hey, thanks for the quick response and picture (that

 

[04 sc V8]

I take my spare tire down once a year to lube the cable mechanisim. I also wash and wax the outside of the rim. I had an 86 SR5 and the factory chrome spare was coated with some kind of grease that was similar to cosmoline. I don't know if it came from the factory like that or if a previous owner did it?

 

[Paul2660]

Spare Tire upside down

More than likely it was done for the TPMS. It's much easier to check the spare when you get the light on the dash. I started to do this also, but realized as others posted you will trash the actual rim especially if drive off road.

Paul C

 

[Uneek]

Does anyone coat the face of the wheel with anything to protect it from the elements?

WheelWax. Dirt and brake dust hoses off easily.

 

[riverwolf]

When you flip it, don't forget to position the valve stem where you can reach it without having to drop the tire. The spare can lose a bit of air over time, just like the tires on the ground and you don't want to get caught with a flat spare. Referencing the license plate as 6 o'clock, putting the valve stem at the 1 to 2 position lets me fit my hand and an air gauge between the underbody and tire without lowering.

-Brent

 

[Roadking]

Thanks for tips on the wax and the placement of the spare. Since the weather here was terrible yesterday (lots of snow) I had some time to let the truck dry off in the heated garage. I got the spare down, cleaned it and gave it a coat of motorcycle wheel wax. I did notice two things, the spare has moderate corrosion around the inside of the spokes (I wonder if this is a warranty thing?) and there's a big tire plug sticking out of the edge of the tread. I guess that's why it was designated as the spare. While I was re-lifting the spare I did place it in the 1'oclock position to allow access to the tire valve.
I did have some time to go out and get in the snow and experience the 4Runner 4wd set-up. It's really different from my previous Explorer. It will take some getting used to, but I was impressed with how stable and strong it pulled through the snow.