Why Jeep owners buy 5 large wheels and tires

[Geeper4x4]

Off Road-101 (Edited to be more clear about my intentions.)

Why do Jeep owners buy 5 large wheels and tires.
Or - Why can't I just buy four wheels and tires and leave the regular stock size spare?

I asked this question when I first thought about getting new bigger tires.

1. Because if you try to use a much smaller spare it will heat up your ring and pinion inside your differential and destroy itself over a short distance. This can be very expensive repair that far outweighs the cost of a same size spare. This is particularly true of road speeds and greater distances.
Tip
If money is tight you can always buy a used tire of the proper size (diameter 33,35) for a spare and throw a tire cover over it. Then they all look right and can function properly.

I have links to explain this :
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=18&

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6403/is_199907/ai_n25607327

http://www.toyo.com/tire_safety/Proper%20selection%20of%20Rep%20Tires.pdf Page 2 in Red


2. Because the rest of the Jeepers will give you a hard time if you don't.
3. Because it looks really bad with your little spare hangin on the back and four large tires on the ground.
4. Because depending on where you are at when you have a flat you may need the clearance to get back home. If you really go off roading roadside assistance may not be available. Damaged tires are probably one of the most common issues on the trails. Right next to u-joints, electrical, radiator......
5. Because others will join in now give better more humorous answers.


Note: Some folks with very large tires run without a spare. Not recommended for most folks.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h112/old15bravo/IMG_2675.jpg

[blazer4949]

Yes, I had to get a skinny spare because I needed to haul a trailer and the turny thing for the jack would hit the fat spare tire, so I got a tall, skinny spare, works great and will be OK if I have a flat since it is the same diameter, also it was cheaper. (got the skinny rim free from 4x4 parts)

[Smelt_1]

go used.....same diameter .......and possibly narrower.

[britjk]

I carry no spare. Thats why I have Insurance Roadside Assistance and Towing. I actually do - but it's in my trailer not on the back of my JK. And I don't really care what other people think. :clap:

[britjk]

Why Jeep owners buy 5 large wheels and tires.
Or - Why can't I just buy four wheels and tires and leave the regular size spare?

Because we will give you a hard time if you don't.
Because it looks really bad with your little one hangin off the back. :rotflmao2:
Because if you try to use a much smaller spare it will heat up your R/P and destroy itself over any distance at all. This maybe should be at the top of the list!
Because depending on where you are at when you have a flat you may need the clearance to get back home.
Because others will join in now give better more humorous answers.


Tip that I got when I first posed this question:
If money is tight you can always buy a used tire of the proper size (diameter 33,35) for a spare and throw a tire cover over it. Then they all look right and can function properly.

Note: Some folks with very large tires run without a spare. Not recommended for most folks.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h112/old15bravo/IMG_2675.jpg

And your point is?

[Phishjeep]

Rotate the spare in and all the tires last longer.

[fish]

Rotate the spare in and all the tires last longer.

yup like 20% longer.:thumbsup:

[Geeper4x4]

And your point is?

This is the Off-Road 101 section and folks that are new can look here for threads that answer questions that are known to many long time wheelers.
My point was to answer the question, Why do people buy 5 expensive large tires when they could just save the money and get 4. Why spend the money for the spare?


Originally posted by Smelt 1 - Sorry....don't buy your reasons.

That's OK cause I'm not selling any. All my reasons? You can put a small spare in with your 33's or 35's and drive down the road if you would like. You can drive without a spare and it is all good with me. That's the great thing about free advice you are able to take it or leave it. :yup: Because of rising costs my $0.02 is worth nothing now. :D

On the same size spare or risk damaging the diff. reason I offer these links.
Would you believe tire rack since this is the business they are in? Here are several other links you can read to back up my claim that tire size diameter on 4wd vehicles should match.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=18&

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6403/is_199907/ai_n25607327

http://www.toyo.com/tire_safety/Proper%20selection%20of%20Rep%20Tires.pdf Page 2 in red

[jkkat]

I would like to see road side assistance out here with a tow Jeep and a spare. Eble Hills on the Busy Wild trail. www.nwjeepn.com/Elbe.htm

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2270.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2271.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2272.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2278.jpg

[tambil68]

LOL... My friend owns a tow company. He told me if you ever have trouble just give me a call.. and by the way.. if your out on the trail get towed to somewhere we can pick you up because we cant go where you guys go usually!
And he's me friend, so he would go anywhere his vehicle COULD to help me out.
Get a spare and get the right one. Unless you only use your Rig to go over speed "mountains" at the local malls....
LOL...X2.... I still havent decided on my tire carrier so I still don't have a spare. But I also dont' get to wheel to much. YET. and my fellow wheelers have 37" spares...haha

[ksk]

Some people mate!!! :cursing:...you throw out some good advise and they have the audacity to critisize you on top of it....yeah go for it... rely on your buddy to pull you out the shit in the middle of nowhere...just dont get upset when he doesnt answer his phone....N00000000bs!!!!:banghead:

KSK

[08Rubicon]

I would like to note that if you drive a BFJ there is really no need for a full sized spare! - KY


The BFJ arrives... Jaws drop and silence reigns.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hitmoney/Stuck%20Jeep/Picture133.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hitmoney/Stuck%20Jeep/Picture134.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hitmoney/Stuck%20Jeep/Picture135.jpg

[ksk]

lolol..I reckon that's a spare tyre for his trailer...:dontknow2:

KSK

[glick]

And your point is?


That when you get a flat the rest of us with full size spares will ride on by and give you a big :thumbsup: for being an idiot.

[seer1]

Okay, five day expedition in Moab. Day one, Metal Masher. Hit a face too hard, pinch my left rear BFG Rubi KMT 32, split the side with no repair possible. I go to the one tire shop there and am told one will be there the next day. I left Moab 5 days later still with no spare. Anybody who drives the western roads with its miles and miles of nothing, roadside assistance or no, would not receive a license to reproduce if it were within my power. Now to the second point, riding around for five days, off road with a different sized tire (1) there go the gears and diff; (2) you'd better have a winch because your traction's gonna be crap. It is so worth the $$$ to have the proper spare. You'll pay for it now, or you can pay much more for it later.

[tambil68]

Some people mate!!! :cursing:...you throw out some good advise and they have the audacity to critisize you on top of it....yeah go for it... rely on your buddy to pull you out the shit in the middle of nowhere...just dont get upset when he doesnt answer his phone....N00000000bs!!!!:banghead:

KSK

??? Wasn't sure who you thought was criticizing. If it was me, just to clarify my post. (which I was drinking when I wrote it) I totally agree with the OP.
There was another comment about using roadside assistance, which I was refering to since my friend with the tow truck does the AAA stuff, he would not even be able to help me out, if I were somewhere in the woods... thats why its "road side" not deep in the forest.

So just to clarify. The OP (original Poster) is ABSOLUTLY right! and is sharing very good advice.

Peace!

[Smelt_1]

the sad state is that if you do a survey you will probably find out that of all the jeeps out there, 95% or more miles put on the avarage jeep are paved road miles. so...through the spare on when you go off roading.

[09rubicon]

Guess I am a little late on this thread but consider this. Some state/local laws require a spare, and not only a spare but one of equal size (or within a certain margin) of the drive tires. Bottom line is a spare is a good idea and no amount of roadside assistance or friends can replace the neccessity of having one. The groups I go out with wont even allow you to run with them if you dont have one.

[kenny Kustom]

When i ran 40's on my YJ, i didnt have a spare. I had a couple inner tubes that were the right size and some tire bars in the back, along with some tire plugs. Never needed it, but if i had to i could plug the tire, or if i lost a sidewall, i could of put the tube inside. Spares are good, but you still only have one.

[john smack]

so lets say you go wheeling and you didnt bring a spare or even you loose two tires could you borrow a buddies spare put it on the frony and run 2wd and just get help through obsticles or run 4wd for short periods of time?

[The_Captain]

friend of a friend ran 38's with factory spare. Tore rear one open on a stump, moved front 38 to back, put factory on front and went home. No problems at all until he hit the brakes... then it pulled hard to the right. as soon as he speed up the factry tire left the ground and no problems!! But this was a TJ, so you can apparently go as big as 38 and keep your factory spare.... But I wouldn't recommend it. any size spare would be fine as long as it is close to the others and for very short distances at slow (40). speeds. ex. Regular cars with donuts. but when I go bigger I will be getting a full size spare, eventually....


oh and the five last 20% longer argument is stupid.(from a financial standpoint) of course they last 20% longer, you paid 20% more!! the ratio is the same for 4 or 5 provided you rotate in the spare. You may go longer between sets but you pay more for each set! you don't save money..

[RubyRed44]

Ive ran without a spare for 6 years and 3 different Jeeps and never had a flat. I guess im just lucky (knock on wood). I always try to wheel with someone who has a spare though so I can borrow it if I need to. Im a cheap ass like that and I like the look of wranglers without a spare on the back too.

[nosmr2]

Ive ran without a spare for 6 years and 3 different Jeeps and never had a flat. I guess im just lucky (knock on wood). I always try to wheel with someone who has a spare though so I can borrow it if I need to. Im a cheap ass like that and I like the look of wranglers without a spare on the back too.

6 years and no flats. I would call that REAL lucky.

[jeff@zina.com]

I have a friend who saved a bit of cash by buying five tires, four expensive wheels and one cheap wheel for the spare. On the flip side I have another friend who runs with two spares, six expensive wheels and tires. You have to determine your own aversion to risk and whether or not you want to walk out of your usual wheeling locations in case you don't have the correct parts to get you home.

Jeff

[nosmr2]

Just buy the same sized spare tire with a cheap wheel and stick a soccer mom tire cover on it.

[2k2wranglerx]

No not unless you have a hub conversion.
The JK front axle is always engaged, so if you put a smaller tire on there it will strip out the ring and pinion.

um, no. only if you have an automatic locker. otherwise with an open diff it just spins the one side faster.

[2k2wranglerx]

so lets say you go wheeling and you didnt bring a spare or even you loose two tires could you borrow a buddies spare put it on the frony and run 2wd and just get help through obsticles or run 4wd for short periods of time?

you can run it in 4wd too. as long as it's an open diff in that axle (and the ESP is OFF, otherwise it'll keep braking that smaller tire)

[whpony96]

I carry no spare. Thats why I have Insurance Roadside Assistance and Towing. I actually do - but it's in my trailer not on the back of my JK. And I don't really care what other people think. :clap:

Roadside Insurance will NOT cover you if you in the middle of BFE...

You must have your rig on a public road for this insurance to work... My advice make a call and get it in writing that they will cover you in a off-road situation.:thumbsup:

[2k2wranglerx]

Roadside Insurance will NOT cover you if you in the middle of BFE...

You must have your rig on a public road for this insurance to work... My advice make a call and get it in writing that they will cover you in a off-road situation.:thumbsup:

"commonly used throughway"

remember that phrase... remember it.

[guinnessisgood]

Ive ran without a spare for 6 years and 3 different Jeeps and never had a flat. I guess im just lucky (knock on wood). I always try to wheel with someone who has a spare though so I can borrow it if I need to. Im a cheap ass like that and I like the look of wranglers without a spare on the back too.

I bought a new JK, starting wheeling with it, and within 3 months I had my first flat. :eek2: Luckily it was the stock tires so I replaced the flat, got a new spare with a used tire (the flat tire had a rock through the center so I couldnt repair it), and then went with bigger tires and replaced them all.

I just hope it will be at least 2 years before my next flat tire. :thumbsup:

[MJS_Jeep_888]

Two weekends ago, wheeling up in MA at least 3-4 miles of tough terrain away from the nearest public road, I got a flat on a sharp rock at the top of a steep hill climb.

Luckily for me, I had a spare and was with other Jeepers. Also luckily for me, I DIDN'T get a second flat once I changed out my tire (or else I would've needed a ride home!).

5th tire = piece of mind, if nothing else. If you're not going off-roading with your JK, you can probably skimp and hope that roadside assistance will help you in a timely manner if you get a flat, but who wants to have to rely on someone else and HOPE that they help you out in your time of need?

On that note: I would strongly recommend that anyone who goes wheeling buy a true jack, and NOT rely on the crap that Chrysler provides with the JK... it's a POS to be sure, and I'm frankly quite surprised that it didn't break when I was changing my tire!

[YellowToy]

For offroading, what options are there other than a high lift or that exhaust baloon thing? Do people carry bottle jacks with them?

I've got a high lift from years back when bumpers were metal. Since I only have the factory bumpers I don't even know where I could use the highlift on the JK:dontknow2:

I've seen the wheel strap thing, but that wouldn't help change a tire.



... On that note: I would strongly recommend that anyone who goes wheeling buy a true jack, and NOT rely on the crap that Chrysler provides with the JK... it's a POS to be sure, and I'm frankly quite surprised that it didn't break when I was changing my tire!

[wgr]

[QUOTE=YellowToy;830724]For offroading, what options are there other than a high lift or that exhaust baloon thing? Do people carry bottle jacks with them?
16373

16374

Here is my "bottle jack"... kind of. But you are not able to use it with stock bumper.

[wgr]

16375

16376

BTW...i someone does like me, please use strong enough bolts on both ends. And also watch out your base is not going to slip. Also this "bottle jack" may fail and suddenly lose it's pressure causing jeep to settle down pretty quick.
Use common sense with this one.

[YellowToy]

For offroading, what options are there other than a high lift or that exhaust baloon thing? Do people carry bottle jacks with them?

I've got a high lift from years back when bumpers were metal. Since I only have the factory bumpers I don't even know where I could use the highlift on the JK:dontknow2:

I've seen the wheel strap thing, but that wouldn't help change a tire.

Well I tried it myself & had no problems....

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/Hi_Lift_1.jpg

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/Hi_Lift_2.jpg

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/Hi_Lift_3.jpg

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/Hi_Lift_4.jpg

[liquidrock]

I always cringe and hope nothing happens to a fellow Jeeper when I see ya'll without a spare. Doesn't make since to me on any level. Too much value in having a spare readily available to not have one.

[spartan99]

And along with that, people who don't carry cables, a real tire iron, a real jack, a gallon of water and maybe some tire plugs. All of these are cheap, available, easy to use and extremely handy.


Actually I need to load up on more plugs. I'm always finding myself plugging people's tires.

[Big Rich]

Spare tire makes a great anchor when you get stuck, or your buddy gets stuck. Just take it off the jeep attach winch line to it and burry it out away from your jeep as far as you need to. Make sure you burry it deep enough so it doesn't up root when you start winching. If your buddy gets stuck and your jeep doesn't have the weight to wich it out you burry it behind your jeep attached to rear pick point. Believe me it helps. It can aslo be used as a signaling device if you really get up a s@#t creek, and need rescue from emergency personell. Take the spare tire off. get it in an open area and burn it. Blackest smoke you ever seen. Helicopters will pick up on it in no time.

[jeff@zina.com]

One good reason to have a full-size spare is that many clubs require them on trail rides...

Jeff

[jeepdreams]

I have heard too many stories not to carry a spare. There are sometimes when Roadside Assistance will not even help, even while on the road.

My uncle had an incident where he got a flat tire late at night on a road trip. It was hours on the side of a highway waiting for the truck. Then the tire shop was already closed for the evening, which meant he had to stay in a hotel for the night only to find out the tire shop would not be able to get a new tire until the following day. After the second hotel night he was finally on his way. Roadside Assistance nor your insurance will cover the hotel expense or time lost. If he had the correct spare he may have been on his way within 15 minutes of the original incident.

[rubiconjack]

I would like to see road side assistance out here with a tow Jeep and a spare. Eble Hills on the Busy Wild trail. www.nwjeepn.com/Elbe.htm



http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2270.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2271.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2272.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/JKkat/5312008%20Elbe%20run/100_2278.jpg

What happened to you tire!????????????????? :eek2: Yikes ... HAHA .. same at evans too! We had to tow a guy to town .. like 15 miles when he burnt up his clutjch.

[08SaharaM6]

I don't see why you wouldnt want all five matching. You are spending the money on four, is one more gonna kill you. It is also not a good thing for your Jeeps health to use a different diameter tire. You can get away with it if you have it in 2wd and you put it on the front. But if you use a smaller spare on your rear, you will have problems.

[08SaharaM6]

Actually- the front probably wouldn't work either. The computer's ESP/BAS would likely see the tires spinning at different speeds and try to "fix" it.

Thats true, forgot about these nifty computers correcting everything! So basically there is no good reason not to get all 5.

[YellowToy]

Alright, I've seen a lot of discussion about inconsistent tire sizes & people saying it can cause problems with the differential. Assuming your rear differential is open (and who drive there's in the locked position?) and we're not talking about tire sizes so different that you're leaning to one corner, I don't see why it would be a problem.

The purpose of the rear differential is to split the torque between the two axles and compensate for variations in spin. In the real world more torque is usually applied to the right rear tire right? And, it's not like you drive around in straight lines.

As far as the ABS sensors & those things, I can't imagine

Does anyone have any actual knowledge of any car company Tech Bulletin actually saying that incorrect tire size is a problem on rear-drive vehicles with solid axles?

I have seen one GM tech article about AWD vehicles causing axle hop while in moving reverse, but that clearly wouldn't be relevant on a JK.

Here's some math....

at 60 mph, a 35" tire turns 9.6 revolutions per second
a 32" tire turns 10.5 rev. per sec.

So, the larger tire is turning at 90% the smaller.

[FireEngineer]

An open or unlocked diff. is going to be damaged by a different tire size side to side when driven for any length of time, faster with greater size difference in tires because the spider gears (side gears) are not designed to spin under normal driving. They do spin or more like just rotate when you make a turn. But keep in mind this is a limited timed event. They do not have a bearing behind them more like a washer, contant spining will degrade the washer causing it to eventually fail taking the gear and or the carrier with it and putting much unwanted metal in the diff. assy. Keep in mind this will not happen in just a few miles, but will start soon. The ABS (anti lock brakes) sensor will also pick up the wheel speed difference when the brakes are applied thinking one is starting to skid and trying to compensate (activate the system) by slowing the tire that is going faster to mach rotation speed of the tires. This also will vary in degree or severety with increased tire size.

[glick]

Your Jeep looks stupid with 4 33's and a 29 inch spare. And with that difference in tire diameter you will be leaning to one corner everytime the wind blows.

don't be an idiot... buy 5 If you can't afford 5 then you can't afford to upgrade

[jkkat]

What happened to you tire!????????????????? :eek2: Yikes ... HAHA .. same at evans too! We had to tow a guy to town .. like 15 miles when he burnt up his clutjch.

A root got caught in the rim and ripped the valve stem out then i still had to get out and change the tire and while getting out of the sticky sitution the tire totally debeaded.

[2k2wranglerx]

Your Jeep looks stupid with 4 33's and a 29 inch spare. And with that difference in tire diameter you will be leaning to one corner everytime the wind blows.

don't be an idiot... buy 5 If you can't afford 5 then you can't afford to upgrade

wow.... just wow

[2k2wranglerx]

An open or unlocked diff. is going to be damaged by a different tire size side to side when driven for any length of time, faster with greater size difference in tires because the spider gears (side gears) are not designed to spin under normal driving. They do spin or more like just rotate when you make a turn. But keep in mind this is a limited timed event. They do not have a bearing behind them more like a washer, contant spining will degrade the washer causing it to eventually fail taking the gear and or the carrier with it and putting much unwanted metal in the diff. assy. Keep in mind this will not happen in just a few miles, but will start soon. The ABS (anti lock brakes) sensor will also pick up the wheel speed difference when the brakes are applied thinking one is starting to skid and trying to compensate (activate the system) by slowing the tire that is going faster to mach rotation speed of the tires. This also will vary in degree or severety with increased tire size.

flip the ESP switch,

it'll still get you home. i wouldn't drive like that permanently, but to get ya home from the trail, it'll be fine.

[Cruiser]

I was wheeling Christmas day,, on the Pa turnpike and lost a tire due to road debris.. It would have been 45-60 minutes for any roadside assistance to get there,, and they would want to change your spare,, not fix a tire,, I had my Jeep back to highway speed in 15 minutes even with all the 4 letter words.. Much better than sitting on the side of a limited access highway waiting for somebody who couldn't come up with a good excuse to have Christmas off to come help me with a flat.. Sorry,, I can fix it myself,, I have a pe***... actually,, my wife doesn't and she could and would fix it herself If I wasn't close enough to.. roadside assistance,, for a flat,, too lazy to carry a spare cause I want to look like a hummer from behind.. Please
Sorry,, rant over..

[Zonk 1/75]

After installing a 4" lift I needed to change out rims with other than stock due to contact with the new suspension parts. Was not yet planning on moving up to 35's yet but since I was doing the new rims I went ahead with tires. Only could find 4 of the rims I wanted at the time. Stock rim was no longer a spare option due to the above..........................

5th rim arrived yesterday and today I got the tire mounted and spun.

As of today I now sport a fullsized spare. I was not sure how big a tire would fit a stock spare mount and was searching last night when I found this thread. Happy to report that 35's fit on the stock mount! :thumbsup:

Damn that was a long story to not say much.......................... :rollingeyes:

[sully151]

I can't afford 4 wheels/tires so I am buying 5!

[MileHighAko]

Got a great deal on four 35x13R18's. I'm going to order a fifth, but its going to take some time.

In the mean time, do you suppose I can get away with a single 35X9.5R15 as a spare? Someone has one on craigslist with a wheel (off of his CJ, I assume it will fit my JK fine??) for cheap and I think I'll pick it up so I can have the safety until I decide to spend a bunch of $ for the matching spare.

Thoughts?

[YellowToy]

Got a great deal on four 35x13R18's. I'm going to order a fifth, but its going to take some time.

In the mean time, do you suppose I can get away with a single 35X9.5R15 as a spare? Someone has one on craigslist with a wheel (off of his CJ, I assume it will fit my JK fine??) for cheap and I think I'll pick it up so I can have the safety until I decide to spend a bunch of $ for the matching spare.

Thoughts?

Nope. I believe the CJ does not have the same bolt spacing as the JK. You'd need an adapter.

[Brisnut]

One reason is it's a bitch when 2 years down the track you rip the sidewall out of one of the 4 then find you can't buy a matching tyre to the other 3 anywhere, Ideally 6 is the go then you can rotate your worst pair an eventually just replace tyres in pairs. Better yet get your camper trailer to use the same tyres and move the older ones there as they loose their mud ability.

[DeluxeJK]

what about a 32" AT tire as a spare for 33" MT tires? is that small enough margin to at least get me to the shop without screwing something up?

[DeluxeJK]

That's a pretty close equivalent. I bet you could run the 33's at a lesser amount of air than the 32" which would make the tires so close in size that the computer would not know the difference. Although if you have TPMS it would have the dummy light on the dash which is simple enough to ignore in a situation like this.

thats what i figured, but i was just wonderin. Im a broke student but really wanna run some tires. My jeep came with 255/70 tires so i figured it would be alright since itd be exaclty 1 in off. thanks for your reply:thumbsup:

[adgraybda]

thats what i figured, but i was just wonderin. Im a broke student but really wanna run some tires. My jeep came with 255/70 tires so i figured it would be alright since itd be exaclty 1 in off. thanks for your reply:thumbsup:


Im also a student on a budget. Couldnt afford all 5 at once, but could afford about three (hard to save up that much money in college without spending it:crazyeyes:), so what i did is even tho i could wait another month or so and buy 4 at once, i went to discount tire and got them on the credit they offer. Payed them off right away, and then used all that available credit i had open to buy my 4th and 5th wheel and tire. Paid it off as fast as i could :yup: Had the safety of 5 of the same tires while building some good credit along the way :thumbsup:

[mac05er]

Ive ran without a spare for 6 years and 3 different Jeeps and never had a flat. I guess im just lucky (knock on wood). I always try to wheel with someone who has a spare though so I can borrow it if I need to. Im a cheap ass like that and I like the look of wranglers without a spare on the back too.

Like the look also with no spare but soon as I tried it this happened.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0LS6-_w5Q7ADh53vK97bEA?feat=directlink

Didn't lose air thankfully but sure was a long trip home. Also I went over 6 years before this happened but just means it was my time.

[mac05er]

Got a great deal on four 35x13R18's. I'm going to order a fifth, but its going to take some time.

In the mean time, do you suppose I can get away with a single 35X9.5R15 as a spare? Someone has one on craigslist with a wheel (off of his CJ, I assume it will fit my JK fine??) for cheap and I think I'll pick it up so I can have the safety until I decide to spend a bunch of $ for the matching spare.

Thoughts?

Here this will help you out on the bolt pattern.
shoplynch.com/jeepstore/jeepid.html

[Mr.ZAP]

Yeah a kid at my school has a lifted TJ with 35's and no spare.. It's never dirty, wonder why??? :rotflmao1:

[IMFletch]

Rotate the spare in and all the tires last longer.

x2 you nailed it. Yeah it cost a bit more initially to buy 5 tires but if you routinely to a 5 way tire rotation, you will maximize the life of your tires. Also if I blow a tire on the trail, a pizza cutter spare might not be up to the challenge and I might need a full size spare to be able to get out.