2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Where to put Oversized Spare?

[Tulsa618]

OK – can’t help it, gotta have bigger tires, but it looks like absolutely nothing larger than my stock 265/75s will fit in the under-bed spare location. Where do you guys mount/carry your oversized spares? I'm sure some of you have gotten real creative (as always on this site!). And what do you do with all that extra space under there... ?

 

[duaneparks]

There are many many ways to mount an oversized spare tire in the bed, whether it's up against the front of the bed, against the side, bolted to the floor of the bed, or on a nice purpose built mount (like pre-runners use) that 4 Wheel Parts has. I've even seen them on roof racks on Rams, as well as on racks above a camper or tonneau.



Check out www.can-back.com and www.4wpw.com to get started.



Good luck and let us know what you decide!



Duane

 

[lschultz]

What size tire do you want to put under there?My son has a 99 with BFG 295/16 but he has one of my old tires from a previous truck for his spare 285/75-16. They fit but I don't know if you can go any bigger.

 

[Tulsa618]

Well, I'm leaning to the 295/75s (unless the 305/70s begin whispering "take me home" in my ear ). The 295s should be about 1-3/4 inches more diameter to cram under there. You say that would fit? I guess it's possible, but it looked kinda' tight to me. (I'd take a quick look/measurement but my Baby's in Tulsa for a little warranty paint work. Damned Dodge splash flaps! ) The 305s would be danged close to the same size as the 285/75s, about a half inch smaller than the 295s. If I can keep the spare in place, I'd be much happier - I've already got a bed-mounted tool box that takes up the front 20 inches of the bed, and I'd hate to lose any more available space.

 

[JGK]

My 285/75X16 spare will fit in my '98. It's a bit used so it's slightly smaller than a new one. 305/70s are essentially the same diameter as a 285/75, with variances depending on the maker and the tread pattern.



295/75s may not make it, though.



Also, if you have an aftermarket exhaust, you may have to do a little adjusting to keep it from rubbing on the spare and melting it.



-Jay

 

[mpray]

Just had 315-75-16's installed on my truck Fri. With a little bit of jockeying around I got the spare to fit good enough for me. It is a tight fit but if you have someone crank the tire up while your under there it helps alot. As someone is cranking it up push it forward (toward the hitch) and away from the exhaust. By doing this I had about 2 inches to spare from the exhaust and missed the top of the rear shock completly. The spare does hang lower on the side away from the exhaust but you can't see it with the hitch blocking the view. Unless of course your in a little, little car.

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by mpray

Just had 315-75-16's installed on my truck Fri. With a little bit of jockeying around I got the spare to fit good enough for me. It is a tight fit but if you have someone crank the tire up while your under there it helps alot. As someone is cranking it up push it forward (toward the hitch) and away from the exhaust. By doing this I had about 2 inches to spare from the exhaust and missed the top of the rear shock completly. The spare does hang lower on the side away from the exhaust but you can't see it with the hitch blocking the view. Unless of course your in a little, little car.

Wow, I might have to look into this.

 

[Riflesmith]

I'm currently running Nitto 295's. I have a worn 255/85/R16 in the stock location as my spare. It fits in between the frame rails with about 1/16" to spare. It would not fit if it was a new tire. It is not quite as tall as my 295's, but it will work as a spare. You should be able to buy a used 255 at a tire store to use as a spare when running large diameter tires.

 

[NVR FNSH]

A friend of mine runs 295s on his '00 and made a wood spacer block so that his 295 spare would fit properly in the stock location. I run 315s but carry a 255/85 as a spare in the stock location.



Brian

 

[Joe Mc]

Tulsa,



I have 5 - 305X70X16 Coopers, the spare is on a stock steel wheel - fits tight between the rails and is about 1/2 inch from the tail pipe, dosent rub the stock rear diff cover. Fits like a glove!

 

[CumminsPower98]

I run 33x12. 5x16. 5 BFG AT's and I have a bald (forgot what brand) tire in the stock spare location and it fits just fine.

 

[HC]

I believe those with Limited slip rear ends or automatic lockers should keep a same size spare to avoid wear on the LSD.



I keep my 265 stock as spare for my 295 BFG's. Aftermarket exhaust would rub a 295; it's close enough to my 265 that I added a heat shield. If I have a flat off-road, I'll use the 4WD only to get through a mud hole or a few seconds to get up a hill.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I found that I had more clearance between the tail pipe and the tire with the 4" Jardine then I had with the stock exhaust. Different bend I guess.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Keep in mind that the Mag-Hytec differential cover sticks out a little further than stock- Larger tires can interfere unless you modify the carrier. Joe D. did a write-up in one of the recent TDR mags.

 

[mikeg135]

spare tire mount

With the 4 inch exhaust it really makes things tight. I ordered the Fabtech angled spare tire mount. I does take up some bed room and will fit up to 35 inch tires.



It does have a baja look to it though and catches some attention with looks.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Well, I figured my luck was about due to change, so I got a same size spare (35x12. 5) today and it actually is in the stock spare location. It is sitting at about a 10 degree angle because it is sitting on the hitch brackets instead of between them. But it is up high enough for it to not be visible without stooping to look under the bumper and allowed me to use my spare tire lock. I have stacks - so do not have the tailpipe problem to deal with. There is about 2. 5" of clearence between the driver's side shock and the spare - the diff. has about 6" clearence. I did buy a Fabtech spare tire mount - the flat kind - and do not need it - anyone interested, shoot me a PM?

 

[drag racer]

Keep in mind that the Mag-Hytec differential cover sticks out a little further than stock- Larger tires can interfere unless you modify the carrier. Joe D. did a write-up in one of the recent TDR mags.

This is why TDR membership is worth its weight in gold. Didn't remember this article back in the day because I had stock size tires and the stock sized spare fit ok with my Mag-Hytec cover. Now I went with larger tires and was looking for an idea to accomplish precisely and easily what Joe D. wrote up 7 years ago to guide the tire back against the hitch. So I pull Issue 34 out of my archive, and voila, there it is! Oo.

 

[therabbittree]

my dads 2002 has 5" exhaust and runs 285 75 16's . . I got a worn 285 to fit by pulling the spare back toward the hitch as you cranked it up. . there is about 3/4" clearance now from the tire...

Thanks

deo