Thoughts on OEM spare

[Rancidlunchmeat]

Two part question for everybody -

First, does anybody know if an OEM wheel/tire combo will fit where the stock spare goes under the truck? I suppose it would depend on the size, so I'm specifically talking about the 18 inch OEM for the FX4. I can buy a fifth off of Ebay and was thinking about getting it to replace the 17 inch steelie spare. Will it fit?

Second, any reason not to do that if it does fit? I suppose that it'll be heavier and perhaps it'll make tire rotations.. awkward because you'd certainly want to add that spare into the rotation somehow.

I suppose the only benefit would be that if you did have to use the spare, you wouldn't have to worry about getting it replaced so quickly and wouldn't be running mismatched wheels and tires.

Thoughts?

 

[Black]

It will fit the problem you will have is the center bore of the factory wheel will be too small for the bracket attached to the cable of the spare tire hoist. So you’ll have to trim the bracket and then I would be concerned the bracket would be much thinner and possible bend based upon how much material would be removed. Or create a complete customs bracket that bolts on.
The steel spares have a much larger bore allowing the bracket to pass through.

Seems like a waste of money unless something is specifically wrong with your spare.

 

[scottdm]

If you live in an area where they spread salt and spray brine on the roads in the winter, an aluminum wheel would get very corroded under the vehicle and wouldn’t work well to include it in the normal tire rotation. The steel wheel would also get rusty, but it’s outta sight unless you have a flat.

 

[Deadman]

I think you are over-thinking this........

 

[duneslider]

I have a full size spare on my wrangler and I had a full size spare under my Jeep commander. The wheel under the jeep commander never got hurt by the road salt, in fact it was probably in better shape than the other wheels. It was way too much work to add that tire into the wheel rotations, so I never did it. On the wrangler I used to rotate in the 5th because it wasn't that much extra work but even now, I have stopped rotating it in. I just replace it every other time I replace the tires on the jeep. I never felt like I got the 20% more tread life by using it and it seemed to complicate the rotation sequence and with mud tires I have to rotate more often to keep them flat.

 

[Plati]

I think it ends up being too much work and PITA to include the spare in tire rotations. If you include all the costs it probably doesn't save any money either. The one thing it does is keep the spare in good working order if ever needed.

I know the steel rim on my 2003 spare is rusted beyond belief and I don't think an aluminum would have done that. I have a full size 18 inch spare on my 2014EL and it fits fine. The bracket on the end of the cable turns sideways to pass through the hole so I don't understand how that opening could be an issue. Maybe I just don't know for your model. I'm a little confused about different sized center bore comment too. Would not the bore be the same to fit the wheel hub ring? Maybe I am missing something here?

 

[Rancidlunchmeat]

I have a full size spare on my wrangler and I had a full size spare under my Jeep commander. The wheel under the jeep commander never got hurt by the road salt, in fact it was probably in better shape than the other wheels. It was way too much work to add that tire into the wheel rotations, so I never did it. On the wrangler I used to rotate in the 5th because it wasn't that much extra work but even now, I have stopped rotating it in. I just replace it every other time I replace the tires on the jeep. I never felt like I got the 20% more tread life by using it and it seemed to complicate the rotation sequence and with mud tires I have to rotate more often to keep them flat.

Thanks! That's the sort of response I was hoping for. It seems like there's no reason to get another wheel and tire when I switch out these crappy OEM tires for some Duratracs. I appreciate your response.

 

[lobsenza]

The spare on these vehicles is not a mini spare. it can be driven on at higher speeds and longer distances than temporary spares. I do not see the point of changing it.

I did add a hose to my spare so it was easy to check the tire pressure when i checked the other tires.

 

[PeterK]

If you're dealing with rust or corrosion on the rim, I'd recommend dismounting the tire, cleaning up the wheel, and powdercoating it so it stays safe.

Running on your spare, only to have it blow out because the bead can't hold because of a rusted/corroded wheel sounds like a really bad day.

 

[rjdelp7]

The alloy wheel should technically fit, under the hoist. You will however, have to leave the center cap off. The hoist goes through the hub. I recommend using a spare tire cover, to protect it. I found a used, FJ cruiser 'hard/soft' spare cover on craigslist for $20.