Remove spare tire to save weight, plus some 4wd questions.

Ok so I just traded in my DCSB trd off road 2wd for a 4wd DCSB sport, and the sport is noticeably slower than the 2wd that I had.

I know that the decrease in acceleration is due to the added weight from the 4wd system, so I'd like to try to offset that a little bit by possibly removing the spare tire. I have toyogaurd, so if I ever needed assistance I have it - so a spare tire isn't really needed.

I don't know how much the spare weighs, but I do know that dropping some weight does make a difference. So, what say you guys. Do it or no?





Also, this is my first 4wd vehicle. Are there any things I should know to do or look out for? I'm a total 4wd newb.

 

I removed my spare and installed a air horn! I'm on 35s and my spare was the stock tire size, so it was useless

 

Toyoguard will send someone to change your tire if you get a flat. With no spare your up the creek. I doubt the weight savings you will get by eliminating your spare will make much difference with performance. Also, I didn't realize the the Pre-runner came with 4wd.

 

removing a tire isnt going to make a bit of difference in acceleration on a vehicle as heavy as the tacoma

 

Lol I see that also

 

OP will have to figure out if he has a 4x2 Pre-runner or a 4x4 (not a pre-runner). But back to the question... keep the spare or swap in a donut if you're concerned about weight. Or eat healthier.

 

Toyota, AAA, metro, etc. will put YOUR spare on for you, not provide you one, and if you're off road you won't even get that. It's also illegal to not have one unless you have runflat tires as I recall. The weight savings will unlikely be felt. What you feel in acceleration difference is likely due to more than just the extra weight of the additional drivetrain components.

 

There is no way in hell dropping your spare tire will help your acceleration. Also, you don't want to be one of 'those guys' stuck on the side of the road that can't change a flat tire!

I put a leveling kit on my truck and the stock jack won't lift it. I ride around with 3 ton jack in the back of my truck just so I don't get in that situation. My acceleration hasn't been affected one bit.

 

Do you plan to mod your new truck? Lift, tires, etc..

 

Classic.

 

I think you will have to come to the realization that in buying a 4x4 you shouldn't expect a high speed vehicle and also that any weight savings you are able to do will be almost null in the end or at least have some bad trade-off. I would save up for a supercharger if you want any extra oomph.

 

This isn't a 1.3 liter chevy metro. Taking the spare off isnt going to do anything for you except leave you stranded when you get a flat.

 

If you do take it off against all the good advice on here thdn please crank up your cable. I cannot understand why people just leave them a swinging. I waiting for someone to dress one up like a phallic symbol and add a set of the bull testes.

 

leave the spare in place, it might just feel slower because of the different gearing.

 

Same gearing.

 

Illegal to run without a spare? Some new cars don't even have a spare, or a place for one. Must be a California thing.

BTW my 4wd has plenty of get up. Try removing your secondary air filter if you need more.

 

I just thought "pre runner" was the designation for 4 door.

It's a 4wd, so I don't know the designation now.

 

I just traded away my prerunner yesterday.... I think it's pointless to have a 2wd truck, for me. Not painting with a broad brush.

If I'm going to own a truck, it's going to be 4wd.

 

Pre-Runner = 2x4 with 4x4 suspension (taller than 5 lug)

4 door = double cab