Spare Tire Questions After Wheel and Tire Upgrade

Recently found some SEMA wheels in Gloss gunmetal for a great price. Had some Cooper ATS3 4S in 265/70/17 mounted. Love the wheels and the tires should be a great fit for my driving style. My truck is a daily driver 70/30...city/highway. My offroad driving consists of Forest Service/Fire roads and some light snow. Nothing crazy or technical and less than 3% (300 miles) of my annual mileage.

My current spare is a 265/70/16. I was set to run a cheap 265/75/16 on the spare wheel. My tire guy said I would be ok leaving the 265/70/16 in place as it's only a 3% difference. Sounds good in theory but how about real world? Can the stock spare be used on the drive axle or front only? Can 4 wheel drive be engaged? Thanks in advance!

 

Yep you’re fine. The open diff makes all the difference. Check out the link in my signature.

 

Thanks doublethebass! A lot of good info in the link. My tire shop is on the lookout for a 265/75/16 takeoff but not concerned in the meantime.

 

@fyrmng having the spare as a 265/75R-16 would give you the same overall height. That would eliminate any worry of diff. damage. That would be a solid option.

 

I'd suggest getting the spare the right size. If you are on a random road trip with 1200 miles to home on a Friday night... It's safer to have the right size tire.

 

Your Air dam fell off

 

Since we're on the topic I'll add that I recently went to 265/75/16 from 265/70/16. The tire shop never asked about changing the spare and I didn't think of it at the time. So I still have the 265/70 spare. That's not as concerning as I have hub-centric wheel spacers. I haven't checked yet but was reading on TW that the spare wheel will not fit over spacers.
Something to keep in mind if you ever think of using spacers.

 

I have the same wheels as you, I bought a matching spare and rotate the spare as part of the regular tire rotation.