Hey guys, I'm wanting to bump up to 35's when the tread wears off my current tires but I don't want to worry about the tailgate getting destroyed. I cant get a new rear bumper so would running 35s (34.8 inches) with a 33 spare (33.5 inches) be okay??? If I had a bad puncture would the 33 be alright running with the 35s??? I am running open axles by the way.

 

Very bad idea. Get a 35" spare tire.

 

get a relocation bracket for your spare for now, around 25 bucks from 4wd.com

 

Story: A guy buys 4 brand new Toyo37X13.50X17. Two weeks later he has a 3in nail in his tire that is leaking 20 miles from a tire station. Next day he buys a 37in spare. Nuff said. Get a matching spare. Had one for my 35's and never had to use it. I got 37's and needed a spare 2 weeks later. My 35in spare was 33.5 in tall , my 37's were 36.5 in tall with 25psi. No way I was gonna run it like that.

 

This was discussed in a recent thread. Buy a full size spare.

In the worst of cases the 34.8" tires are probably closer to 34" with a load and you can easily go down 0.5" with moderate air down. Then pump up the 33.5". Handling may be a little squirly due to the difference in air pressure, but it should keep all sensors other than TPMS in check.

 

If you have open differentials it is doable without damage. Mechanical locker or limited slip will not work.

 

Auto locker in front made a no-no for me.

 

Just spend the few extra bucks and get the OR FAB carrier. Cheaper than a new bumper with carrier and works great with a 35 or 37 spare. My understanding is that in 4wd you could create issues running different size tires which could create major problems if you are out on a trail and puncture a tire.

 

True.
But, it would be bad for 4wd, even with open diffs. The distance traveled for the axle with mixed sizes would be half way between what two larger and two smaller tires would travel. It would cause a bind between axles.

 

I think you will be fine as long as you drive straight somewhere to have the tire repaired.

If it was so damaging, then why do the older cherokees and grand cherokees come with small donut spares, even if they have optional limited slip rear ends? My Cherokees did.