Spare tire fitment 265/65R18

[DallasLoneStar]

Got this update from my nanny who brought the LR4 to Discount Tire for the new TuffAnt alloys (in gunmetal/dark gray which I haven't seen in many pics if any, most guys have black) and Nitto Ridge Grappler LT265/65R18 install. Apparently having some spare tire fitment issues even with it deflated, which surprised me. What have others done to fit larger tires underneath, where should I bend or trim this weekend? I picked this size because, according to experience of others, I should still be able to use the stock spare location as well as operate truck on bump stops. The LT version has some additional tread depth which may be causing the issue.

Oh yeah, don't those new shoes look THE BUSINESS?! Pretty pumped.

 

[ryanjl]

Check this thread, from the direct-linked post on down:

Everything about tires for LR4/ LR3 with 18" wheels

I posted this in another thread, but wanted to add to the "main" LR4 18" tire thread. I put the Defender 18" steelies on my LR4 about 5 weeks ago. After over 5 years of thinking of 18" wheels and dreaming of the tire possibilities over the standard 19" wheels, I was actually sort of let down...

www.landroverworld.org

I'm using 265/65/18 BFG All-Terrains and deflated down to around 8 to 10 psi. Not sure if I needed to go that low as I didn't try with any higher pressure.

 

[Nechaken]

Did they remove the plastic exhaust shield?

 

[DallasLoneStar]

@ryanjl thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for. Will try the angle method first.

 

[ryanjl]

No problem. For what it's worth, I did not remove the exhaust shield.

 

[CRYA]

I just did this method with my spare BFG 265, which is a touch less in diameter than the Ridge Grappler which is what I also run. Fitting a new new Ridge in the spare is gonna be a fight for sure.

 

[DallasLoneStar]

Thanks to advice from @ryanjl I got the spare into place pretty easily. I removed the heat shield, then made sure to angle the tire upwards towards the front of the truck, crank a bit, angle up, crank some more, and done. I didn’t measure pressure but I let it out a good bit, not completely but couldn’t be more than 5 psi left in there.

I was going to wrap the exhaust pipes but they don’t look especially close to the spare. Has anyone had problems with the tire getting melty?

 

[modesto_man]

I've had my heat shields off for a year. No problems!

 

[gillygong]

When storing a deflated spare that has to be squeezed in there for a tight fit, is there any issue like a flat spot caused by the constant deflection?

 

[ryanjl]

Not for me. I use a 5 wheel rotation and haven't had a problem using my spare yet.