Spare wheel chain

I would like to know more about this as well

 

We have an open diff so it doesn't matter. I wouldn't turn on any of the active traction controls like MTS or CC, but it should be fine on the highway. And don't go into 4 wheel drive either

 

Pretty much what I figured

 

I know this is a thread about too much chain, but I lowered my spare today and was surprised that it didn’t lower to the ground. My 4Runner’s spare had enough chain for the tire to rest on the ground, making it much easier to dislodge the claw from the spare. I must have looked like an idiot trying to balance my Tacoma’s spare with enough slack to dislodge the claw today. Mine only got to within 8-12 inches from the ground.

Also, it looks like the factory hangs the spare with the deep dish side facing down and the valve stem side up. Correct? I forgot to check before removing.

 

I can understand why Toyota went to a chain (as opposed to a cable). On my 2000 Ford Ranger, the cable that held the spare up had me so worried (that the cable might rust or otherwise break) that I secured the spare with safety chains. In turn, when the fasteners on the chains rusted closed, it became all but impossible to lower the spare. When I finally did so, I found that the tire would no longer hold air.

In any case, after 20 years of experience, I concluded that carrying the spare under the truck, exposed to road salts, etc., was about the worst way to carry it. I now simply carry the spare in the bed (under the cap). The spare is so heavy, that it remains in position and no mountings are necessary.

When I got my new Tacoma, one of the first things I did was remove the spare from its exposed position. For the time being, it's riding in the bed. But that's not too viable, either, since it takes up too much space. (This didn't seem to be as much of a problem with the Ranger. The Tacoma Sport's 17 inch wheels are larger than the Ranger's wheels. )

A related problem has to do with tire rotation. With the Ranger, 5-tire rotation was possible, since it didn't have TPMS. Not so easy with the Tacoma.

I'm thinking I might dispense with the spare entirely, and just carry a puncture repair kit and an air compressor.