Issues running a smaller spare tire?

Good morning,
I am a newbie to this forum and have a tire question. My Tacoma came with 265/65R17 tires and it is time for new ones. I have picked out a set of Cooper tires that are 265/70R17. The 70 series seem to be easier to find and sometimes cheaper. If I buy these and have a flat at some point, will there be an issue running the 265/65R17 spare for a short period of time. I live in Maine and use 4WD a lot.
Thanks,
Bob W

 

Not for a short period.

You can look at the tire calculator to see the diff in diameter. It's not a lot.

 

Just stay out of 4W drive.

 

you should buy a tire repair kit with the air pump. To change a flat on a tacoma is a pain in the a$$. just put a plug and your on your way till you can fix the tire at a shop. Plugs are only supposed to be temp.

 

I changed my spare. I wasn't sure if the auto LSD would cause a problem as well. Not worth the risk.

 

A lot of things are supposed to be temporary, like the Federal excise tax on tires--it was to be "temporary", just during the war (WWII)...

 

I carry plugs too. I've had tires with multiple plugs that I raced on, then sold the tires to someone else to race on. (yes, they knew of the plugs)

Plugs are good, durable, and time saving.

However, if it's a stem cut or a punctured sidewall, a spare is the only solution. Plugs won't help there.

 

I have run plugs in the tread area for extended periods for years, us'ta be you'd never throw away a tire just because of a puncture in the tread--way back when we used "blowout patches" with tubed tires; that was kind of scary.

I don't do plugs in side walls except to get home (cautiously) and won't use 'em on a bike (a real bike, not a bicycle), again except to get home...

 

A ruined stem is now an easy and quick trail repair. http://www.colbyvalve.com

I have used, and seen plugs used, to repair punctured sidewalls on the trail many times. In one case we used a three plug (large brown ones) repair for four days during a trail jamboree. Only problem we had was the repair scrubbed out on a rock or root once and needed to be replaced. Obviously the tire needs to be changed before driving any distance on the highway.