fitting a 31" x 10.50" tire in the spare compartment with a hitch installed

[biggs85]

I tried to fit a 31"x10.50" tire in my spare compartment yesterday and it won't fit because the hitch is in the way. It gets stuck between the hitch and the swaybar. I tried putting the tire in on an angle and even jacking the rear end up to see if I could sqeeze it in there. Does anyone know of a way to get it in there? It's not the same brand of tire that I will be using but they should all be pretty much the same size. They're only different by a little bit right? Now I'm stuck because I don't want to put it on the roof or the back because that requires extra money on a roof rack or a place to mount it on the back. If any of you have run into this problem and have found a way to fix it that would be great if you would tell me how you did it. Or if you just have any suggestions. Thanks

Oh, I also forgot to say that I'm getting a 2" inch lift with add-a-leafs and coil spacers (I think that they are really called coil seats) and was wondering if that would make a difference because maybe now the sway bar would be a little out of the way.

 

[ld50]

I believe if you got the hidden hitch you are out of luck. You can`t get more than a 31" on without a hidden hitch either.

Pretty sure the lift won`t help either. Do you like the smell of tire? You may have to ride with one.

For info on the lift check my thread, it may cost a bit to align after.
Dead Link Removed

 

[biggs85]

I also forgot to mention again that what if I just kept my stock 235/75/R15 spare (wich is appr. 29"x9.50) tire and just used that when I needed it. Is it bad to dirve with a smaller tire with 3 bigger ones? I wouldn't think so because in cars I've seen those really small tires and I read a post here that someone had like a 27" spare with 29" tires. I guess it would just be bad if you wanted to keep on wheelin' because driving on it for a long period of time with lots of stress on it would damage something. Well I guess I've answered all my own questions but any more input would be great.

 

[biggs85]

I've read your thread before and was the one that said I liked it so much. I thought I read somewhere in your thread that said you could fit a 31" tire but maybe that was without a hitch. Oh well

 

[ld50]

OH,
Didn`t recognize you.
Yes I got my 31"spare in there but just have a ball hitch.
If you use a spare that is smaller, make sure you don`t have the traction lock rear end. With an open diff I think you`ll be fine, until you fix a flat. I needed same size spare because of the locker.

cheers.

 

[biggs85]

Well I don't exactly have a locker, but I have the factory Limited Slip differential. Would that be Ok to go with the smaller spare if I was just going a few miles to get it fixed? What would it do if it did mess something up? Would it wear out the bearings or something like that?

 

[biggs85]

Also, if I wanted to get a bigger lift later on and wanted to do a spring over axle conversion, could I take off the add-a-leaf and would the springs just go back to their original position or would they be changed a little?

 

[94EBexplorer]

ok heres my imput..... i would NOT put a 31" under the older X due to the fact that the Cabel the holds the tire up and and the box its self is known to fail... and the 31 is definatly heavier than the stock.... and YES it is bad to drive with a differant size tire on one wheel IF you have 4x4.... cause 3 of the tires will be taking longer to make their revolution and one will be spinning faster A big NO NO for the LS rear end.

 

[swak6287]

suggestion. go buy an air compressor and keep it in the truck. air down the 31 inch tire all the way or enough. then see if it will fit. try that. if not, off to the roof topp it goes. good luch