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

Yes they do, but the 5-lug is way quicker.

 

Lots of them. This is a 4 banger 4wd.

Yes, those are 36" tires

Haha, ok well they don't come from the factory like that.

 

Those are huge! Love those wheels also.

 

Did not know that some newer cars do not even come with a space for a spare tire, unless they are one of them tiny smart vehicles or something.
Also, wasn't aware of the law either, and i live in Cali. Learn something new everyday. haha

Like most people, i do not believe losing the spare would give you more speed, but i would try getting a locking hub, like the older 4wd rigs, so you can disconnect the front diff completely, when not needed. I think, even in 2wd, our trucks still push all the gears, so if we disconnect them manually, it might help out. But thats just a thought.

hehe lose the tailgate too,. more aerodynamic,, hahaha

 

They do make 4 bangers in 4wd.

 

I'm pretty sure that cars that do not come with a spare tire has to be equipped with run flat tires. Like the Mini Cooper S.

 

I guess I am the only one that drives with no spare. Never had a problem. Pick up a nail once., it was a slow leak and had it plugged. The rear end of the truck seems very light especially with the heavy duty leaf springs toyota put on for me years ago. If I took a long trip I would bring the spare. I figure if I got a flat I would call home and tell someone to bring me my spare and a decent jack. 06 prerunner 2wd.

 

All cars must be equipped by the manufacturer with a spare or run flats, federal law, not state. I'm pretty sure it's one of the safety items that must be provided by a dealer on a used car as well. Whether removing that spare is specifically illegal or not I don't know, but almost anything can become illegal at an officer's discretion. Example; your tire blows and shreds and you have no way of replacing it and your car becomes a safety hazard or roadway obstruction. Because you chose to operate your vehicle in a state other than how it was equipped you willfully created the situation and could be cited. The cop can also call for a tow to storage (impound lot) for your convenience where you get to retrieve it for several hundred dollars. Is it a stretch?-yes, do things like this happen to people?-yes. I was told that in states that mandate vehicle safety inspections a spare is one of the things checked, but Cali doesn't do them so I don't know for sure.

Tho I understand that every pound counts, I can't imagine the weight of a spare on a truck being such a big deal. The lightest taco weighs 3K, mine is 3080 with no tailgate and near dry tank and the only luxury I have is A/C. I'm guessing my spare to be about 30# so about 1% of the vehicle's weight. Gasoline is just over 6# per gallon so a proponent of no spare should carry just enough gas to get wherever he's going at all times and no more than it takes to get to any gas station along the way.

Laws aside, I think it's stupid to go out of one's way to put themselves and their passengers at risk of the danger and inconvenience of being stranded for hours or days over something as insignificant as a spare. If I were your passenger and got stranded because you wanted to save carrying a spare I'd be pissed! Then again I can't imagine being close enough to a person like that to ever be their passenger.

 

Plenty of vehicles are sold without run flats or spares. There is nothing a officer can do about the situation. Think about how many owners have a spare and do not know where it is on the vehicle let alone install it.

If there was a law it should be for fools who do not maintenance their vehicle and have cv axles break and wheels falling off from ball joint issues.

Bought a new Chevy Knapheide box 3500, no spare. Better keep it parked.

Cannot believe you would worry that much about what a officer might perceive.

 

Keep your spare. Spare tires are cool kids.

 

Always someone hanging out at home waiting for you to TELL to bail you out?

Most people would find removing the spare, and then putting it back if they were on a long trip more of a PITA.

 

Glad I had my spare the other day
TPMS light came on 1 min later tire flat as a pancake
dead zone for cell service
The only pain was using the little jack but all in all the tools & spare got me back on the road

 

100 lbs is a tenth to 60 and the quarter mile, it's physics. The weight off the tail may reduce traction depending on tires etc. Taco's are fast for what they are, I'm an LS guy. I haven't dropped my spare because I'm lazy and don't really have a place to store it. The tire and wheel are probably about 85 lbs.

 

Holy thread revival- and of a retarded thread at that.