Don't forget the "spare"

I know this thread could of gone in a number of places, but since I own a 2nd gen, I put it here. If it needs to be moved, no problem.

If you are are like me when I was in the process of getting my lift I was down right excited, I had wanted to do it for so long and now was the chance.

I picked the lift, tires, wheels and started looking for a location to do it, well everything went smooth and got it done.

Now I was cut a deal since I was getting alot done, even made a deal on a tire and wheel package from the lift shop. Never gave a second thought to the spare.

Well at my last outing I went to places I never did before with the stock height, and then I realized if I blow a tire I am screwed.

I got on the phone here a few days ago, (have not drove the truck much in the last month) to find a tire and wheel. Holy heck the prices I was quoted. The highest was $275 for the tire alone, I did find a sale and got it for $203. The wheel I was told was $235, but I was able to find it here for $108.

I guess what this all boils down to is be like Santa, make a list and check it twice. Cover all your bases, and don't forget also, if you do get the bigger tire/spare need a location/mount to put it.

Now to jack the truck up in case of blow out............well another story.

 

I hear ya man... My 3 ton floor jack won't lift my truck at the frame, only under the diff. My highlift is useless until my sliders get here, but that thing is a widow-maker last resort, and I even know how to use it properly. I have the highlift base too and I think that might work with the oem bottle jack, on the street maybe, but I tried to cover all bases.

+1 on that fill size spare.

 

I've seen those work well to stack rocks for traction. For changing a flat, you'd need to carry a jack stand and 2 highlift bases, in case you are on soft ground, to be safe.

 

The high lift base works great with the Oem bottle jack. I thought it would which is why I bought it, just never went out and did it. The rear is easy too because you lift under the axle, plenty of height available out of the bottle jack. I probably could have gone higher in the front so I think it would work well on the trail.



If you don't have a Full Size aftermarket spare and rely on the Oem spare under the bed, but have switched to aftermarket wheels, grab 6 of your old lugs plus sockets for both the Oem lugs and your new lugs. Don't forget your lug key if you have it. A breaker bar is very helpful.

 

I ended up using a ammo cam, very large one and I believe it was for the Mark 1 ammo.
The base of the jack fits into it for about double the size of the foot print. Plus when not used for that it holds, the tow strap, shackle, receiver pins and of course a pair of leather work gloves.

 

That's cool and dual purpose, nice!

 

My dumb question is what if you get 18"s with mud swampers, is the spare cavity under the bed of our trucks large enough to accomodate larger tires than what comes factory?

 

Where'd you get that from??? I like it and I'm sure it would come in handy. Thanks.

 

+++1 on that, if you look in the mod section they show it. My tire would fit, but like stated above it would hang down to low. Not a good idea if you are going over stumps and rocks.

 

about that, would running a 255/85/16 as a spare be safe with 285/75/16's as my actuall tires? just to allow a little extra clearance under there?

 

I personally don't think it's a good idea. I am not a numbers guy but I know it would throw things off.
Sort of like seeing those guys doing 75 with a spare donut on...big mistake, when they wipe out, it is sad news.

 

Good advice. Plus, if any of you are not the original owners of your Tacos, make sure the previous owner didn't use any locking lug-nuts, the kind that require a unique bit to undo the nuts, or if he/she did make sure they left the nut-key in the glovebox or somewhere.

I had to caveman/MacGyver my spare off my jeep years ago, the spare had 1 locking lugnut on it (thanks previous owner)... the only one on the whole vehicle and no nut-key... and I discovered this while wheeling way the f out there. Had to use a 6" dull hacksaw blade, 2'' crobar, large rocks, and alot of bad words to get that one off. Now I can spot a locking lugnut from a mile away.