Airing up the spare

i may give it a go tomorrow if i have time!!

 

Ok, I started this so we can get back on topic.... Yeah right.... Anyway....

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/4838-cheap-free-mods.html

 

im already there man!!

 

Hey dustysaw, I'm not sure if the spare is a full size mag. If so, "ME" suspects the constant mud, sand being kicked up by the rear tires will eventually cause a sand blasted effect on your rim. Not over night but over time and you'll cry when you see it. Ha ha ha. Good luck suckers .

 

I'd have to double check, but I think the spare is a full size steelie. I have the alloys, but the spare is steel.

 

you are correct sir!!

 

I bought 5 tires/wheels as takeoffs from a FJCruiser, so my spare is an alloy. The cup will scratch the wheel, but it is in the part covered by the center cover when installed. Face side down could as has been said cause damage to the face of the wheel, so iof you don't want to expose the face side, just put 40-50lb in the spare and relaese some pressure when put into use, as that is the way most manufacturers do when front and rear pressures are different, they call for the highest pressure and deflate if installing on the low pressure positions. Another cure is to get an extension as mentioned earlier, you do not have to make one as they are already available for the RV crowd; it consists of a 6" or 9" hose with a clamp to fasten the loose end to the wheel or clamp anywhere you want. RV dealers as well as NAPA sell them, usually 2 to a bag, so call a friend to split costs. They are either brass or stainless steel and are well made in USA.

 

Will the over pressure have any affect on the TPMS?

 

When I had the steelies for several months before the takeoffs were installed, I ran 32 psi front, and 28 rear when unloaded and 45 in spare. My sensors are now all 5 in a pressurized container with ~45psi @ 80-90ºF. The light only comes on when I release air from tank, and goes out as soon as I re-inflate the container. I store them behind the seat, or in one of the rear latchable doors; never had a problem.

 

That's a good way to do it, but I rather enjoy having the sensors. I can't really see much of a difference in my 285 Kumhos between 25psi and 40psi. Or at least when the light comes on they aren't noticeably in need of air, but are at least 10-15psi lower than the rest. It's let me know several times that one was low. I ended up airing up before towing a pickup and auto transport 100 miles because the light was on, and neither myself or my buddy thought the tire needed air. Had it not been for the sensor we could've had a problem during the 200 mile total trip. It also let me figure out the SAME tire kept going low so I knew it had a slow leak. I put some tire slime in it, and the light's been off over a month so I know the leak is sealed without checking the tire pressure.


I would not have paid EXTRA for this feature mind you, but since it's there I take advantage of it. Oh and I've occasionally had a flat spare when I needed one so it's nice knowing the spare is still good. I carry, well used to carry, a small air compressor in the car because of that.

 

Anyone find the accessibility of the spare to be a burden? Having to probe through the small slot and visibility is very poor. Has anyone heard of/thought of powering the spare tire with a small motor to improve the accessibility? The push of a button to raise and lower the spare would be sweet. Any ideas anyone?

 

A small ATV winch and pulley would let you you remove the entire cable thing from Toyota. I have to wonder how long it'll last anyway since I've seen 2 domestics (a chevy and a dodge) with a similar setup and both cables snapped.

Although it might tight fitting that in there...

 

Or maybe you could find some small 12v water proof motor to mount there and weld or link to the spot the stick goes. Wire it up with a switch in the bed and only on with the key through a relay. Hide all the wiring and it would be a theft deterrent too.

The motor would need some sort of brake though to hold it and be reversible.

 

Although not vehicle mounted, get an extra crank from a junkyard, cut it to proper length, chuck it in a battery powered drill and you have a power up and down spare tire.

 

I don't think the problem is speed... It's finding the damn hole in the dark, threading the rod through both holes (there's a second one about 6" toward the cab IIRC), and then lining the hook up with the slot in the cable turning thing.

I've only done it once and that was during the day and I STILL had to get a flashlight out to line everything up. I'd hate to think about doing it at night without a flashlight.

 

Sounds like a good flashlight! I used to have the same problem. Seems like every flash light we ever had in a car died very shortly after putting it in. My maglite though has been in the truck over a year now with the same batteries and works as good as new! I know the LED kit saves power when using it, but I'm still surprised it's lasted that long in a car with extreme temperature changes.

 

Well, if it dies and I NEED something I have a 1 million CP spotlight behind the driver rear seat with a cord, and a 12v outlet in the bed to plug it in back there too if needed.

 

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I know what you mean, I have lowered & raised all my past Tacoma's and Tundras spares inside either the garage or the barn, both with smooth concrete, plenty of lighting, and over 1000 square feet of space, but I have tried to imagine what it would be like on the side of the road with both grass, gravel and mud, in the dark, with rain/sleet mixture and 15-20mph gusts. It ain't a purdy picture......

 

I over inflateted the spare. If I need it, it is a simple matter to deflate it. It is not under stress. An extra 5 lbs. will not hurt it.
I also moved it to get at the valve stem.
When I wear these tyres out, it is 8 ply. I`d buy ten ply, if they made them.
Screw changeing blown tyres.
On the Alcan. I had four flats in as many miles.
Only plugs got me to Whitehorse.

 

Guys, forget about flashlights for changing tires. Get a "trouble lamp" aka "work lamp" with a fluorescent tube. They are lean and about a foot long and can be plugged into the bed outlet. The first gen guys can get the same light in 12v with alligator clamps that bite into the battery post. With a trouble lamp you have both hands free to do your job and it can be stored behind the seat.