Upsizing wheels & tires, what about spare?

[jjdbike]

So upsizing my OEM '11 SR5 wheels from 7" to F&H 8" wide & mounting 285/70/17 Nitto Grappled G2s. My OEM spare is 265/70/17. I know this is a common mod. What are you guys doing about the spare? Should I get a cheap steel wheel and a cheap or used tire? I read here that 5 way rotation isn't needed and I really don't wanna buy 5 custom rims. Your suggestions to keep it cost effective?
Thanks.
JD

 

[Jono.ful]

diameter is the important consideration rather than width. I personally run a matched spare tire/rim (summer, winter, and mud even). running a mismatched tire for a few miles isn't the end of the world, but I wouldn't make a habit of it

 

[jasonv]

your spare can be a different size, however if your flat is on the rear the best move would be to take a tire from the front, and move it to the back and place the spare on the front, and don't use 4x4 obviously.

 

[Vulgarian]

A lot of people put a 255/80 r17 on the spare steely. It fits in the spare location and gets as close as you're going to get to matching your 285's.

 

[Matteblack]

A lot of people put a 255/80 r17 on the spare steely. It fits in the spare location and gets as close as you're going to get to matching your 285's.

THIS. Its also a 33" but with the thinner profile ("pizza cutter") it doesnt hang too low like a 285 would.
MB

 

[jdtaylor42]

Unless you are going to get a rear bumper with swing-out where you spare is on display I wouldn't buy a matching spare wheel. But you could invest in a full-size matching tire and mount it to steel spare wheel and put it back under the truck. It fits easily and while it does hang lower it doesn't look bad and only is an issue on very steep climbs.

I don't rotate my spare in but every time I buy a new set of four tires I plan to put the spare into use and put a new tire as the spare. That way I never run into a spare nearing the end of it's life without ever being used.

 

[4RunnerINprogress]

I actually just upgraded my spare tire and had it installed today. I have the duratrac 285/70/17. I just picked up a brand new open box 285/70/17 Nitto EXO on eBay through discount tires for $75. It was brand new. Fit perfectly on the steelie spare rim.

 

[jjdbike]

A lot of people put a 255/80 r17 on the spare steely. It fits in the spare location and gets as close as you're going to get to matching your 285's.

THIS. Its also a 33" but with the thinner profile ("pizza cutter") it doesnt hang too low like a 285 would.
MB

Great idea! I would have never thought of this. I love the idea that it’s not going to hang down as I wouldn’t want to cut into my ground clearance unless I had no choice. Plus It’ll be a little ligher.

*Are there cheap rims that will work that are a little lighter & or more corrosion resistant ( I drive in salty ocean-beach sand)? Perhpas an anluminum rim or some sort of rust resistant alloy?

*I looked up that 255/80 r17 and it’s listed as a 1/4 taller than 285/70/17 and moves from “will require slight modification” to “will require extensive modification” catagory. Will that 255/80t fit on my ’11 SR5?

*The 255/80 is listed to fit 6.5-8.5. The F & H wheels I’m getting are 8”. Can I go down to 6.5 for the spare to save weight, space & money?

Finally, if I had a 6.5 rim, or even a 7 w/ a 2/55/80 on the front (e.g., I got a flat on the beach) would I be still be able to limp back to the paved road in 4x4 high w/out risking any damage?
Thanks!
JD

 

[Vulgarian]

*Are there cheap rims that will work that are a little lighter & or more corrosion resistant ( I drive in salty ocean-beach sand)? Perhpas an anluminum rim or some sort of rust resistant alloy?

I used the spare that came with the truck which is as cheap as it gets. You might find a cheap alloy in the for sale section. Or if you're that worried about salt, you could powder coat the OEM spare rim.

*I looked up that 255/80 r17 and it’s listed as a 1/4 taller than 285/70/17 and moves from “will require slight modification” to “will require extensive modification” catagory. Will that 255/80t fit on my ’11 SR5?

I think you're using the "Tire Fitment Guide" (TFG) for you sizing reference. This is an invaluable reference tool BUT, you need to look at the manufacturers site for specs as all tires are different. I put 255/80R17 (see my signature) on all my wheels plus the spare and I have not had to modify one thing including removing the front mud flaps which most do. My tires are 32.8" not 33.06" as referenced in the TFG.

*The 255/80 is listed to fit 6.5-8.5. The F & H wheels I’m getting are 8”. Can I go down to 6.5 for the spare to save weight, space & money?

Again, why not use the OEM spare rim. But a 6.5 will fit the tire as long as the offset works with the truck setup.

Finally, if I had a 6.5 rim, or even a 7 w/ a 2/55/80 on the front (e.g., I got a flat on the beach) would I be still be able to limp back to the paved road in 4x4 high w/out risking any damage?

I don't know why you wouldn't be able to continue on with your trip in 4X4 low provided you had a tire plug kit. No limping required - that's the whole point.


Good luck!

 

[Jetboy]

I just use the oem spare. You won't be able to tell any difference at all with respect to the size on the road. If you want a more durable or more aggressive tread - go for a new spare. If it's just the size - don't worry about it. It won't hurt a thing. In fact I'd bet that from the driver's seat you could not tell the difference at all.

 

[Matteblack]

Great idea! I would have never thought of this. I love the idea that it’s not going to hang down as I wouldn’t want to cut into my ground clearance unless I had no choice. Plus It’ll be a little ligher.

*Are there cheap rims that will work that are a little lighter & or more corrosion resistant ( I drive in salty ocean-beach sand)? Perhpas an anluminum rim or some sort of rust resistant alloy?

*I looked up that 255/80 r17 and it’s listed as a 1/4 taller than 285/70/17 and moves from “will require slight modification” to “will require extensive modification” catagory. Will that 255/80t fit on my ’11 SR5?

*The 255/80 is listed to fit 6.5-8.5. The F & H wheels I’m getting are 8”. Can I go down to 6.5 for the spare to save weight, space & money?

Finally, if I had a 6.5 rim, or even a 7 w/ a 2/55/80 on the front (e.g., I got a flat on the beach) would I be still be able to limp back to the paved road in 4x4 high w/out risking any damage?
Thanks!
JD

As far as wheels, I really like the AR Mojave wheels. Inexpensive, utilitarian, and Teflon coated.
MB

 

[jjdbike]

I just use the oem spare. You won't be able to tell any difference at all with respect to the size on the road. If you want a more durable or more aggressive tread - go for a new spare. If it's just the size - don't worry about it. It won't hurt a thing. In fact I'd bet that from the driver's seat you could not tell the difference at all.

Really, so w/ three 285/70/17s & one 265/70/17 will work as a spare? Even on the highway? If that's true l'll be pretty happy. Dosen't need to be aggressive or pretty, it's just a spare. On the other hand I don't wanna risk safety, e.g, driving two hours back home from beach or back to east coast from Indianapolus?
JD

 

[Ohio_Steve]

A quick highjack here for clarification. My 4Runner TEP hasn't arrived yet, but I was planning on putting 5 new tires on as soon as it arrives. Do I understand correctly from this conversation that the spare is on a steel wheel?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Jetboy]

Really, so w/ three 285/70/17s & one 265/70/17 will work as a spare? Even on the highway? If that's true l'll be pretty happy. Dosen't need to be aggressive or pretty, it's just a spare. On the other hand I don't wanna risk safety, e.g, driving two hours back home from beach or back to east coast from Indianapolus?
JD

Yep. Should work just fine. I drove from an off road trail about 45 miles of 80mph highway home a few months ago with a 265 spare and 3 285s. You'd never know the difference on the highway. For normal highway duty, it probably doesn't matter where it's at on the vehicle either. Just be reasonable and you should be fine.

Funny anecdote but a friend of mine many years ago in a 80's toyota pickup had new tires put on and the shop put one tire that was the wrong size on. He didn't figure it out until about a year later. He's not a car guy and ended up just leaving it until they were worn out. Rotated like normal. Never had a problem. I used a 35" tire on my FJ40 that has 39" tires and it is noticeable, but not a big issue for driving home and that's a 4" height difference.

 

[Engineer]

A quick highjack here for clarification. My 4Runner TEP hasn't arrived yet, but I was planning on putting 5 new tires on as soon as it arrives. Do I understand correctly from this conversation that the spare is on a steel wheel?

Thanks,
Steve

You are correct

 

[jwkilgore]

Really, so w/ three 285/70/17s & one 265/70/17 will work as a spare? Even on the highway? If that's true l'll be pretty happy. Dosen't need to be aggressive or pretty, it's just a spare. On the other hand I don't wanna risk safety, e.g, driving two hours back home from beach or back to east coast from Indianapolus?
JD

One tire with an off size will be less of a a problem on the highway than the typical passenger car "donut" spare. I personally wouldn't hesitate to drive on the highway with three 33's and a 32, but on the other hand I wouldn't be screaming along at 90mph around curves. Use a little common sense.

The biggest issue with the stock spare (IMO) is that it's a highway tread tire. If you get a flat way back in the woods (or several miles down a loose sandy beach) remember that you've lost a significant amount of traction on one tire. You'll still have 4WD, but chances of getting stuck will go up. I recommend replacing the rubber (sell the old spare to a used tire place or on Craigslist), but nothing wrong the with the stock wheel.

 

[jjdbike]

Yep. Should work just fine. I drove from an off road trail about 45 miles of 80mph highway home a few months ago with a 265 spare and 3 285s. You'd never know the difference on the highway. For normal highway duty, it probably doesn't matter where it's at on the vehicle either. Just be reasonable and you should be fine.
.

One tire with an off size will be less of a a problem on the highway than the typical passenger car "donut" spare. I personally wouldn't hesitate to drive on the highway with three 33's and a 32, but on the other hand I wouldn't be screaming along at 90mph around curves. Use a little common sense.

Hey everyone thanks a lot. This is great news. As far as I can tell (i.e., from my perspective) this will save weight, ground clearance & $. And yes I would drive very conservativly w/ the smaller spare & plan on reparing or replacing the damaged tire ASAP.

The biggest issue with the stock spare (IMO) is that it's a highway tread tire. If you get a flat way back in the woods (or several miles down a loose sandy beach) remember that you've lost a significant amount of traction on one tire. You'll still have 4WD, but chances of getting stuck will go up. I recommend replacing the rubber (sell the old spare to a used tire place or on Craigslist), but nothing wrong the with the stock wheel.

The tires currently on the vehicle (265/70/17) are fairly aggressive AT’s I haven’t seen the spare yet. I use the best rubber for the spare.

Thanks again everyone!
JD

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

The biggest issue with the stock spare (IMO) is that it's a highway tread tire. If you get a flat way back in the woods (or several miles down a loose sandy beach) remember that you've lost a significant amount of traction on one tire.

As they say in the old Hertz ad, not exactly. Aggressive tread is not the best for sand as it tends to dig in rather than "float" over the sand.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

You are correct

Thanks!