265/70/17 spare wheel

I am currently running trd sema wheels with 265/70/17 bfg ko2 tires. I still have OEM spare and was wondering what my options are since I am planning a 1500mi trip.

Can I still drive the truck should I need to fail over to the stock spare mid trip? or should I just bite the bullet and splurge and get 5th trd sema wheel with bfg ko2 as a spare?

 

I'm facing this same decision and I've read a few options:

1. Keep the same full size, mismatched spare. Just make sure it's mounted to the front to prevent damage to the rear diff. This means if your flat is on the back you'll have to swap tires around to get the smaller spare on the front of the vehicle.

2. Buy a tire that will fit on your spare rim that has the same overall diameter as your SEMA wheels with KO2's. I have an 18" spare wheel so that means I'd be looking at a KO2 in size 265/65R18 to match the outside diameter at 31.5 inches.

3. Buy a fifth SEMA wheel and match the size tire exactly. I've read a few places there is room under there for a 31.5" tire but haven't climbed under there to confirm for myself yet.

Good luck and I'm sure someone else will chime in with their decision and the results.

 

My truck came with 16" wheels originally. When I changed to the 17" BBS wheels and 265/65/17 tires, I purchased a steel 17" OEM wheel and mounted another 265/65/17 size tire for the spare.

 

The 245/75r16 tire is the same size as a 265/65R17.

Corrected the tire size.

 

Good to know the current spare is still good for something. I'm kind of torn between options 1 and 3. Appreciate your input

 

Do you have a link to such wheel?

 

Is that the size of our spare?

 

I don't. I bought it off of eBay back in 2011. I haven't looked recently, but I'd be surprised if they're not still selling some.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-17x7-5-Inch-6-Lug-2007-2014-Toyota-FJ-Cruiser-Steel-Wheel-17x7-5-6-139-7-Rim/371560366412?_trksid=p2045573.c100508.m3226&_trkparms=aid=555017&algo=PL.CASSINI&ao=1&asc=44728&meid=3444c00f123745a6ae6beb0f14fd238d&pid=100508&rk=1&rkt=1&

^^^check this out^^^

 

Thanks for the link. Do you think it will fit 265/70/17 bfg tire since the rest of my wheels are 17x7 and the steelie is 17x7.5?

 

Yes, it'll fit. FWIW-I remember paying $50 for the wheel 6 years ago. Check your local CL, or even the LetItGo app site. Any OEM Toyota 17" 6 lug wheel should work. As a spare, it doesn't have to be Prom Queen pretty.

 

I'll check those sources. Many thanks and yep it'll sit on top of my topper so no worries about esthetics

 

The spare should be a 245/75r16 on trucks that came with 16" wheels. Same size in diameter as a 265/65R17

 

Just a thought but why not put a 265/75R16 tire on the spare 16" rim. It's exactly the same size as a 265/70R17 tire and would be perfect for a spare, and cost less. Sorry about the mistake on the tire size. 265/65R70 is the same size as a 245/75R16 tire which is the set up I'm using as a spare.

 

For temporary use it won't hurt anything as long as you don't shift into 4X4. I'm not sure which would be better front or rear, but would think /rear. Having mismatched tires on the front might create some weird steering inputs. As long as you don't engage a locking rear axle I'd think it would cause less issues on the rear. Of course having the spare pretty close to the same diameter as the other 4 is the best. It doesn't have to be the exact same size, just the same diameter, or close

 

This is what I'm probably going to do. In a flat tire situation the outside diameter is all that matters until you can get the original fixed or replaced. Also the cheapest option since we all have a spare tire rim already underneath our trucks, just gotta get the right tire size to match the OD of the other four wheels.

I had read that mismatched sized tires on the rear axle mess with the rear differential because the wheels will be spinning at different RPM's. I see your point about steering too but most say that internal damage to the rear diff is worse than having to hang on tight to the steering wheel. I have no proof of any of that myself, just things I've read... No matter what, I feel a spare that matches the diameter of your four daily driver wheels is the smart way to go for myself.

 

Putting the smaller spare on the front may cause a slight pull but it wont harm anything while in 2WD. Putting the smaller tire on the rear with an open diff would be fine for short distances. Longer distances could cause the spider/axle gears to wear. LSD and locking axles woukd be a no go. Although a locking diff only locks in 4Lo so it would be fine for short distances in 4hi.

 

Match the overall tire diameters and youll be good.

 

I will drop the spare after work and will examine it. This may be the most cost effective option but I will be going off-road during my travels so having good off road capable spare is also something to keep in mind