Will a 265/75R16 fit in the spare tire spot?

Not true. The 255 will contact the diff under compression. Happened to me and @crazy joker. Hence why elevator got moved back.

 

Gotcha... My point was it has less of a chance than the wider 285.

I think yours might have been the post I was reading about moving the hoist but I'm not sure.

 

Maybe the key is to have a worn 255?

It's not a picnic hoisting it up in there, but it's doable.

None of my brackets are cut or bent, and I haven't noticed any contact with almost an inch of clearance. (Old KM2 if that matters.)

 

You can fit a 285/75/16 with just bending the tabs that guide up the tire. I've had 2 different tires back there for the past 6 years with out any issues and a lot of off-roading. I'll try to take a picture of it tomorrow .

 

Very possible. Another factor is that not all 255 tires are exactly the same size. My Toyos are large at 33.5"

 

So with the 285 under the bed does the tire butt up against the hitch receiver or is there clearance there? Also is the clearance on the sides or up against spring hanger and exhaust?

 

I don't have 285, I have a tall 255, about 1/4" from the hitch, constant contact with driver shackle hanger, exhaust hanger was bent a little to make more room, tire contacts the hanger full time, but not exhaust pipe.

Zero problems this way.

 

That's great thank you. I know all tires are different, but if I'm not mistaken the 255 is actually a larger diameter than the 285? Is your tire kept fully inflated and did you bend the 2 angled guide brackets?

 

Welcome. Yes. 4-5 swift hits with a 4-lb sledge takes care of the angled guide brackets; they tuck nicely, and look factory. I've not done comprehensive tire size comparisons between 255 vs. 285, but the Toyo's I have are spec'd at 33.5" new. Yes it's fully inflated to 38 PSI.

 

Do in your opinion, better off with 285 and deal with it sticking down lower or go 255 a have it tuck up higher but have more diameter fitment issues? I know I'll have more choices for a 285 and probably more good used tires out there. Last question. How far back did you move the tire hoist back. Picture look roughly 1"? Thank you!!!

 

I went with 255 cause I was under the impression, that not many modifications were necessary to fit it. What I learned was that not all 255 tire sizes are the same size between manufacturers.

Fitting into 285 vs 255 in the factory spare tire location wasn't a factor in my decision to get bigger tires.

I wanted a 33 inch tire for better off-road performance.

When you go to move the Hoist your choice will be made for you, once you see it. About an inch if I remember right. There are pics in my build thread.

 

Now that I've made the switch to 33's (285) I just want to have a close to matching spare. Even a off brand, cheap at will work for me. The guy at the local tire shop owes me a favor so I might hit him up to borrow a used tire and see if it fits first. Thanks again for your assistance

 

Purchased a spare tire from Americas tire today- 285 75 16 Pathfinder. Looks to be a decent tire and he'll it's just a spare. Most important... It fits without much drama. I hardly bent the locating tabs and it helps push the tire up against the hitch. I still have to move the tire lift forward but I want to add some aluminum plates to beef up the rearward most holes has they are right against some of the factory cutouts. Will post photos after plating and hoist are installed. Thanks Crom for your input!

 

Here's the pics after hoist area was plated with1/8" aluminum- above and below. Tire doesn't hang down too much at all and it sits almost completely level. The forward most bold holes, where the hoist was at, were utilized for bolting the aluminum plates to the carrier frame. Pretty easy to do

 

265/75/16 Duratracs fit no problem in spare area.

 

Try and find a used tire on CL, or someone selling a set of FJ wheels/tires cheap and keep a pair and sell a pair. I believe 265/75 was stock on the FJ, and I know it's the stock tire size for an Xterra.

I run 75's during the spring/summer/fall and 70's as snows. I was able to find a stock 265/65-17 tire on here for free from a member who went up to 285s so I have a matching spare for my snows.