Airing up the spare

[sawdust]

I finally got hit with the tire pressure sensor warning about the spare before we left for Christmas. I crawled under there (in 30 degree weather) thinking this would be a quick and easy job. I had expected the valve stem to be pointing down, but noooo. Toyota in its infinite wisdom setup the spare tire mount so the stem is pointing up. Sheesh!

I was able to reach around the tire with one hand and feed the air hose through a cutout in the rim with the other and get the job done, but it was a pain. There's got to be an easier way. Has anyone thought of it? Yeah, yeah, I know I could ignore the light, or readjust the sensors to a ridiculously low psi, but I'm not ready to give up yet.

I have something in mind, but have no idea if anything like this is made, or could be cobbled together. I'd like a stem extender -- a 3 foot stem extender. Something that screws onto the threads that are there with a flexible hose that I could run out under the rear bumper with another stem at that end. Then a regular airing up of the tires will just require an extra stop at the bumper. But the whole thing could be easily disconnected from the spare when needed.

Ideas?

[lsocoee]

I'm leaning towards lowering the spare and flipping it around.

It's also good to practice lowering the spare before your stuck on the side of the road in a snow storm.

[2003greenbean]

Originally Posted by lsocoee

I'm leaning towards lowering the spare and flipping it around.

i think think this would be the cheapest and easyest way

[TheMaster]

Originally Posted by sawdust

Toyota in its infinite wisdom setup the spare tire mount so the stem is pointing up. Sheesh!

I think it is to prevent accidental damage to the rim and stem damage when you off road/back up etc. With the good (rim) side facing the under body, none of it can happen. This is my opinion.

[sawdust]

That was my first thought, but the bracket that holds the spare up looks like it only fit one way. Or at least it did at the time. Maybe I should double check that.

[TacoSupreme]

I flipped my tire over and no problems with the bracket. It's been over 6K miles with it flipped.

[mrbjr]

+1 flipped

[sawdust]

That's good to hear! I'll put that on my list of excuses to get out of the house this coming 4 day weekend.

Hey, does flipping your spare count as a mod? I'm getting mod envy of the guys that have scrollable lists.

[morcheez]

hooray for 05's

[tacomaman06]

just got rid of my dual exhaust so i could put my spare back under the truck, and when i put it back under, i put it in upside down so i can get to the valve stem alot easier. should be ok, as the spring under the plate has enough tension on it to keep the spare still from either side.

not to get off topic, but is it just me or does the spare , as it sits under the truck, sit more to the driver side than the passenger side......not centered directly under the bed as most trucks?? i noticed it when i put it back under there......seems like it sits around 1.5 to 2 inches to the left...........tell me im not seeing things??!!(this is the way mine is sitting now anyway)

[piercedtiger]

ok.... You're not seeing things! Feel better?

I may have to flip mine too... Pain in the ass dealing with lowering it when you don't NEED to.

[piercedtiger]

Originally Posted by sawdust

That's good to hear! I'll put that on my list of excuses to get out of the house this coming 4 day weekend.

Hey, does flipping your spare count as a mod? I'm getting mod envy of the guys that have scrollable lists.

I can give you some cheap/free mods to do that'll get you out of the house for a while and pad your list (and ego perhaps?)..... Have pictures too....

Speaking of which.... Maybe we should start a cheap/free mod thread?

[sawdust]

Originally Posted by piercedtiger

I can give you some cheap/free mods to do that'll get you out of the house for a while and pad your list (and ego perhaps?)..... Have pictures too....

Speaking of which.... Maybe we should start a cheap/free mod thread?

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by piercedtiger

ok.... You're not seeing things! Feel better?

I may have to flip mine too... Pain in the ass dealing with lowering it when you don't NEED to.

whew.....i was starting to think the beer was makin everything crooked!! ahhhh........relief!!

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by sawdust

i second that...!!

[piercedtiger]

Originally Posted by tacomaman06

whew.....i was starting to think the beer was makin everything crooked!! ahhhh........relief!!

Keep in mind, I didn't bother getting off the couch to check for you....

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by piercedtiger

Keep in mind, I didn't bother getting off the couch to check for you....

yeah i figured!!

[piercedtiger]

Originally Posted by sawdust

• BHLM - $5 for paint, and a few hours of time
• Fog light mod - few minutes of time, and maybe 6" wire (free if you have extra wire laying around)
• DTRL aka "turn signal switcheroo" or something like that - More wire so free if you have it, 2 quick splices, and some time. Splice into side marker/driving light wire, strip other end, jam it in the 3rd hole on the turn signal harness, seal with glue
• Extra D-rings in bed - <$6 for 4 rope rings from online trailer supply store, $5 for #50 or #55 Torx (will have to check) socket for impact wrench, impact wrench, air compressor, and some time. Maybe an hour depending on how you deal with the rope rings' holes being smaller than the bed bolts, and the washer on the bolt.
• Bed lights - <$65 for underbody LED kit, 2 wireless remotes, and controller. Install time depends on how you route the wires and mount the tubes
• Hi-Lift mount - free from used bed frames cut to fit!
• Hood Struts - $80 or so from redline tuning, 20 minutes maybe to install if you take your time and measure twice
• Locker mod - $6 (IIRC) for DPDT relay from Radioshack, time to remove glove box, find harness, cut wires, and connect relay
• Relocate 7-pin - free! If you haven't broken your stock 7-pin and can disconnect the wires to thread through new hole. $8 or so at walmart for new 7-pin. 2" hole saw to cut through bumper by license plate OR remove left license plate light, 2-4 self tapping screws
• Tailgate reinforcement - Scrap angle iron (free for me), machine screws/nuts/washers (Free for me as well)
• 12V outlet in bed - $5 for outlet at Walmart IIRC, wire from battery to storage compartment next to 120V plug and to frame just below for ground, 2 rivets

I can give more details later in another thread or something... Just a quick run down of parts and costs that I can remember to give you an idea. If you want a full write up on things let me know, and I'll see about taking pics, etc. I have nothing but time until my next job interview on the 4th....

[tacomaman06]

^^^ good list piercedtiger!! i've been meaning to do the fog light mod.......just havent done it yet!!

[piercedtiger]

Originally Posted by tacomaman06

^^^ good list piercedtiger!! i've been meaning to do the fog light mod.......just havent done it yet!!

It's really easy! One wire, maybe two connectors, and a hole drilled through a divider in the fuse box to get it out of the way when closed.