Spare Tire Size
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Princeton, NJ
Spare Tire Size
Just wondering if a larger than stock spare would fit and if so how big? I'm planning on going to a 265/75R16 from my stock 245s and wondering if I should change the spare too.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 0
From: Odenville, AL
Are you just asking if the larger tire will fit on the gate without rubbing? Or, if you would need to change the spare also because you're getting larger tires?
I know the 265/75R16 will fit in the spare location with no problems...that's what I've got:
I know the 265/75R16 will fit in the spare location with no problems...that's what I've got:
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 5
From: Lawrenceville, NJ
If you get a flat, and have to put a different sized tire on, the ABS and LSD, and Traction Control are going to think the smaller tire is going faster, and either try to stop it harder, or give it more torque, depending upon their function, etc...
If you have LSD, you will always be at break a way torque, as the tires will have different rpm, etc.
In short, you need a spare tire at least of the same DIAMETER, and preferably, the same construction....so under braking, emergency maneuvers, etc...you maintain control.
Another point, if you offroad....(In addition to the above issues...) and the trail you are on required the tires you had on to GET where you got to, and, killed one of your good tires in the process....
...Will your spare be good enough to get you back out again and/or finish the day's wheeling....or will it ruin your trip?
If you have LSD, you will always be at break a way torque, as the tires will have different rpm, etc.
In short, you need a spare tire at least of the same DIAMETER, and preferably, the same construction....so under braking, emergency maneuvers, etc...you maintain control.
Another point, if you offroad....(In addition to the above issues...) and the trail you are on required the tires you had on to GET where you got to, and, killed one of your good tires in the process....
...Will your spare be good enough to get you back out again and/or finish the day's wheeling....or will it ruin your trip?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Princeton, NJ
If you get a flat, and have to put a different sized tire on, the ABS and LSD, and Traction Control are going to think the smaller tire is going faster, and either try to stop it harder, or give it more torque, depending upon their function, etc...
If you have LSD, you will always be at break a way torque, as the tires will have different rpm, etc.
In short, you need a spare tire at least of the same DIAMETER, and preferably, the same construction....so under braking, emergency maneuvers, etc...you maintain control.
Another point, if you offroad....(In addition to the above issues...) and the trail you are on required the tires you had on to GET where you got to, and, killed one of your good tires in the process....
...Will your spare be good enough to get you back out again and/or finish the day's wheeling....or will it ruin your trip?
If you have LSD, you will always be at break a way torque, as the tires will have different rpm, etc.
In short, you need a spare tire at least of the same DIAMETER, and preferably, the same construction....so under braking, emergency maneuvers, etc...you maintain control.
Another point, if you offroad....(In addition to the above issues...) and the trail you are on required the tires you had on to GET where you got to, and, killed one of your good tires in the process....
...Will your spare be good enough to get you back out again and/or finish the day's wheeling....or will it ruin your trip?
I guess I better spend the extra money and get the same spare tire then. Thanks for the info.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 5
From: Lawrenceville, NJ
Also - while you're at it...
Do a 5 tire rotation pattern, don't just rotate the 4 on the hubs.
What happens is that you end up with 4 worn out tires, need new ones, but, if you then want to get a different tire...the spare won't match again, etc.
The tires last a lot longer with the 5 tire rotation too, as each gets to ride in back for part of the trip....so - you can go longer between tire changes, but, you do need 5 when its time.
If you NEVER plan on going to a different tire, you could make a case for a 4 tire rotation, and letting the spare ride...but, after maybe 3-5 yrs, the rubber will be oxidized by ozone, UV light, etc...and be due for a change anyway.
Do a 5 tire rotation pattern, don't just rotate the 4 on the hubs.
What happens is that you end up with 4 worn out tires, need new ones, but, if you then want to get a different tire...the spare won't match again, etc.
The tires last a lot longer with the 5 tire rotation too, as each gets to ride in back for part of the trip....so - you can go longer between tire changes, but, you do need 5 when its time.
If you NEVER plan on going to a different tire, you could make a case for a 4 tire rotation, and letting the spare ride...but, after maybe 3-5 yrs, the rubber will be oxidized by ozone, UV light, etc...and be due for a change anyway.
Trending Topics
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
In the past I've always used a well worn tire of the proper size as my spare. With 35's and smaller, you can usually get a take-off at a local tire shop with a good half the tread left for cheap $$. (I think I used to pay about $10) Clean it up and it looks just fine on the back. If you are like most people, you'll only run the spare for a short time anyway. Sure, it's probably not the same brand or tread, but that is RARELY important.
Then again I always mount Black Side out. I hate all that white lettering you have to scrub with bleach to keep white. YUCK.
Then again I always mount Black Side out. I hate all that white lettering you have to scrub with bleach to keep white. YUCK.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 5
From: Lawrenceville, NJ
In the past I've always used a well worn tire of the proper size as my spare. With 35's and smaller, you can usually get a take-off at a local tire shop with a good half the tread left for cheap $$. (I think I used to pay about $10) Clean it up and it looks just fine on the back. If you are like most people, you'll only run the spare for a short time anyway. Sure, it's probably not the same brand or tread, but that is RARELY important.
Then again I always mount Black Side out. I hate all that white lettering you have to scrub with bleach to keep white. YUCK.
Then again I always mount Black Side out. I hate all that white lettering you have to scrub with bleach to keep white. YUCK.
If you can drive the terrain with crappy tires, that's OK....if you have 4 tires on the truck that you got because you needed that type of tire to get you through the rocks or mud or whatever....will the crappy bald tire work well enough to get you back out again?
Case in point - A weekend trip with a bunch of jeeps....one guy rips a sidewall in the first hr on the trail, and throws on his bald spare....
Well, the bald tire was worthless as far as traction went, and it slipped constantly...and, he was unable to get back to camp, or to continue with the group...he had gotten in far enough that he was stuck now, without enough traction to get out again.
Luckily, we lent him a GOOD spare, and he limped back to camp, returned the GOOD spare, and then packed up and went home...his weekend was over....we then had to go back out again, and try to salvage the rest of the day's wheeling, etc.
Had he had a good spare, he would have been able to continue at least the rest of the day, etc.
That's ONE example....there have been others where the rig had to be abandoned for the day, until we could get back to it, etc.
So, sure, if where you wheel, a bald tire or a street tread, etc, is not going to matter, then no harm no foul if its at least the same diameter.
But if the terrain is killing your GOOD tires...what chance does a crappy tire stand to get you home again?