Fitting an oversized tire in the stock location

My new tires are a little bigger than stock at 33.5” and the spare sits really close to the shackles.

I know several of you have done this and said you tweaked the steel guides that locate the spare between the springs. My question is, how did you bend those guides without heating them or damage to anything else?

 

I just removed the guides altogether, though I was fitting a 35" tire. Drilled out the bolts (rivets, whatever) using progressively larger drill bits, then used a cold chisel to finish them off. Guides dropped right off. Bit of paint and it was all good.

 

Sub’d as this is on my list to get done pretty soon here. Post up some pix when you can.

I plan to try and find some type of 35” thin tire (35x10.5) instead of a full size 35x12.5 tire but not sure if that is possible so I will keep doing some research.

 

My 34.5” is squished in there without altering the guide. You should be able to get a 33.5” in there. I’m still going to cut that guide off. Don’t like how it leaves a mark on my tire. Maybe tomorrow.

 

A plasma torch works well to cut the guides out. The only 35x10.5" tire that I've seen are Super Swamper Radials.

 

I have been thinking about do the same thing I run 35/12.5 on mine.

 

I just cut the guides off with an angle grinder. I was able to stuff an STT Pro tire under there (~35.1") with +2 CB shackles. I have to kinda kick the tire foward towards the diff while raising it in place for it to fit and clear everything. It's tight but it works... for now lol

 

I did get it installed but it’s so close to the shackle on the driver side, I believe it will rub when off-road. I’m gonna leave it for now and will take the truck out this weekend and see how it does. If there’s room to cut the rivets with a peanut grinder that is the way I will go (if I need to).
I’m sure glad to have a spare rim that matches.

 

Probably could use an air hammer to remove the rivets.

 

My ears hurt just thinking about that! lol
I’ve got good ear muffs though...

 

I know what you are saying just thought if you had a good one they go through a rivet like butter and work great in tight places.

 

Yeah, truly said. I’m just sure that confined area with all the sheet metal around will be like an echo chamber. Putting a metal bucket over my head and hitting it with a hammer, like

 

for sure.

 

Here's what I did. Dropped the stock spare, then used my cordless drill and a chisel.

Started with about a 1/8th bit to just get it started, then through the rivet to the frame with a 1/4", then 3/8" and finally 1/2". Could have progressed faster, but each wasn't that hard since it was just taking a bit more out. Two of the four the 1/2" bit took the rivet head off clean. Two I wasn't on center and so just used a metal chisel and hammer (and good ear protection) to finish it.

Left the top of the rivet in place and touched up with black rustoleum paint. For my 35" tire, I had to push it forward about 1" to get everything to fit the way I wanted. Will turn the bolts on my Toytec shackles around at some point when it's warm again to provide more room, but it's all good for normal driving. Figure if I'm doing anything hard-core I'll drop the spare and put in the bed.

 

This is something I need to do. I'll also have to reverse my ToyTec shackle bolts too.

 

So a 35*12.50*20 can fit???

 

Yep, with a little work. It's tight, but looks fine once it's done.

 

Fixing to buy same size spare and a steel wheel

 

I am planning on putting a 35 under there also a 35 in a CrewMax bad takes up a lot of space. Lol

 

I put my spare 35” Toyo RT in the stock location. It took some work but I got it done. First I had to remove my wide +1 CB shackles and go with some TC shackles. Then I pounded the stock locating ears flat and moved my BA exhaust helmholtz resonator forward and up. The spare clears everything now.

 

Took it to Custom Offroad Equipment here in OKC. They air-hammered the alignment tabs off and sprayed it for free. Great group of guys over there for anyone in the area.

 

My wheel have a paint chipping off. It's under warranty and I might see if they can sell it to me for a discounted/blemish rate and use it as a spare. I'm thinking on putting 295.70.18's 33.75 to match the rest. Hopefully it will fit with no cutting or modding.