Different size spare tire

[dbkirkp]

I searched through the forum, and it looks like the biggest spare that can fit under the bed is a 32" tire. I purchased my long bed MJ in September with 33" tires, but it did not come with a spare. Hoping I never have to use it, I am thinking of getting a 32" spare and putting it under the bed. It would be there in a pinch but not take up in-the-bed space. This leads to questions.

 

1. Are their preferred ways for mounting it when there are no original mounting hardware left? (I have seen tie-down straps)

 

2. Would limping out on a 32" spare hurt anything on the truck? I understand it wouldn't be ideal ... but would it be worse than the "Do not exceed 50 MPH" donuts of economy cars? Would it hurt a differential?

 

3. Does anyone else have an approach with 33" tires? avoid the spare and carry Fix a flat and a compressor?

 

4. I am thinking of using a 32x10.5 on a 15x8 rim to replace the non-spare 33x12.5 on a 15x10 rim. are there other tire size options? 

 

[DirtyComanche]

A 32" spare isn't an issue if you have open axles, or even if you're just limping a short ways with a LS axle.

 

You could even go with a 31" or 30".  The XJ donut spare was tiny, maybe 24", and there was no issues using it with the factory 28"ish tires as long as it was just to get you to the next town.

 

I rarely find the need to change a tire on the road.  Blowouts are just not that common, and a leaking tire can be limped, and having a basic plug kit and a cheap 12V compressor will take care of almost all road damage.  And you know what, I have a BCAA (AAA) membership and I'm more than willing to use it, and I recommend anyone that owns Jeeps get one...  Offroad is a complete different matter though, if you're going to wheel it or even just run around on the gravel I would recommend a real spare.

[desbennett004]

I found a factory XJ bumper mounted swing out tire carrier a while ago, I'm thinking of trying to make that work with the MJ bumper and the tail gate. May be easier just to fab one from scratch though...

 

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[PIKE]

I have a 33-9.50-15 under mine. Fits fine.

[buckwheat]

@ PIKE: Sorry to go off topic, but what tires do you run? I have looked for a narrow 33", but the best I found was BFG 33x10.5x15. 

[Eagle]

 

You could even go with a 31" or 30".  The XJ donut spare was tiny, maybe 24", and there was no issues using it with the factory 28"ish tires as long as it was just to get you to the next town.

 

 

I have to disagree. The factory had so many problem with the donut spares and limited slip differentials that they long ago stopped using the donuts in vehicles with a limited slip. The limited slip vehicles always came with a full-size spare. The size difference causes rapid wear on the clutches.

 

This would not be a problem with a TrueTrac, gear-type limited slip, but I don't know how that type would react to different size tires. Probably one tire size difference wouldn't be an issue, but a 33 with a 31 or a 30? I would be cautious about trying that.

[Eagle]

I have a 33-9.50-15 under mine. Fits fine.

 

Long bed or short bed?

[PIKE]

My truck is a long bed. The tires on it are 33-10.5-15 BFG AT, The spare is a 33-9.5-15 BFG AT

[Eagle]

My truck is a long bed. The tires on it are 33-10.5-15 BFG AT, The spare is a 33-9.5-15 BFG AT

 

Not sure, but I think someone once mentioned that the long beds have more room underneath for the spare. I don't currently have any long beds, so I can't compare. I used to carry a 31x10.50 under the '88 short bed, and it seemed to me that was a pretty tight fit. MAYBE I could have gotten a 32 in there ... I'm sure I couldn't have gotten a 33 in.

[PIKE]

Truck also has stock exhaust.

[DirtyComanche]

 

 

You could even go with a 31" or 30".  The XJ donut spare was tiny, maybe 24", and there was no issues using it with the factory 28"ish tires as long as it was just to get you to the next town.

 

 

I have to disagree. The factory had so many problem with the donut spares and limited slip differentials that they long ago stopped using the donuts in vehicles with a limited slip. The limited slip vehicles always came with a full-size spare. The size difference causes rapid wear on the clutches.

 

This would not be a problem with a TrueTrac, gear-type limited slip, but I don't know how that type would react to different size tires. Probably one tire size difference wouldn't be an issue, but a 33 with a 31 or a 30? I would be cautious about trying that.

 

 

I meant to add "assuming you have open axles" for the 30" or 31",  I wouldn't try that with a LS.   Not even a Truetrac.

[dbkirkp]

Thanks for the suggestions. Since my truck is a longbed, it might have room for a 33". 

 

The reason I am looking for a spare is because my wheel fell off as I was going down the road. (I had tightened the lug nuts down about a month previously when doing some maintenance). When the wheel fell off, it was damaged so much that when I tightened new lug nuts on it, and checked it after a half mile, they were coming off already. 

 

I bought the truck to use for hunting/camping/snow so I realized I want a spare and waiting with it on a jackstand for a new wheel to come in isn't fun. 

 

I am thinking of buying a narrower 33" spare and hoping that it fits under there. I do have the longbed. Any suggestions on how to mount it? I have none of the original mounting hardware.