problems midway through - really need advice

TLDR: I already got a regear, suspension, UCAs, KDSS trackbar done. I bought tires and wheels where I thought that the spare would fit in the spare location and the spare doesn't fit in the stock spare location. Don't know what to do at this point and could really use some advice.

So, I was getting following done to my 2021 and have run into problems. I got the BFG KO3s in 285/75/17 (small 34" tire) because everything that I read here said that it would fit in the spare tire location under the 4Runner. I've seen videos and pictures and everything of this being done. The shop where I am having all of this done also said that they thought it would fit. Well, the spare does not fit under my 4Runner. I think that maybe the difference between my 4Runner and all of the ones that I was looking at online is that my truck has KDSS. This was my plan and where I am in the process:

Phase 0 - already had this done
Rock rails (RSG), BMC and fender mods to fit 32" tires

Phase 1
Bilstein 8112/8100 (complete), Dobson UCAs (complete - the aluminum ones with the extra camber adjustment), re-gear to 4.56 (complete), Dr. KDSS trackbar correction (complete), ARB compressor mounted (complete), Method wheels with 0 offset (complete), BFG KO3s in 285/75/17 (spare doesn't fit in the spare location)

Phase 2, because of longer lead times
C4 Fab front bumper with Warn winch (ordered, probably won't be here for another month, or so) and C4 full skid plates, including gas tank and transfer case (ordered, probably won't be here for another month, or so)

I am doing practically everything, but I didn't want to spend an additional $6000-7000 (with installation) to get a rear bumper. And, it didn't seem worth it to do all of the work to get 34s or 35s and have a worse departure angle with a hitch mounted spare carrier than just 33s (or the 34 BFG that everyone said fits in the spare location but doesn't on my 4Runner) with the spare in the stock location. I've been using a DRT hitch skid and beat it out of shape enough that I had to use a crow bar and hammer to get it off this last time. So, I really worry that I would quickly ruin a $1500 Ultraswing.

But, what do I do at this point? I think that I'm left with 4 options:

Option 1, I go down to 33s. I will have wasted the cost of the regear and the more expensive UCAs.

Option 2, I stick with the 34s and get a hitch mount, probably the Ultraswing, which will most certainly get beat up.

Option 3, I go up to 35s and get a hitch mount, probably the Ultraswing. I don't think that I'll have to do much more work to get the Micky Thompson 255/85/17 tires in there and maybe the extra inch will help save my tire carrier?

Option 4, I spend another $3800 and get the C4 rear bumper and probably another $2000-3000 for installation.

What should I do?

 

Option 5, Toss that 35inch spare on the roof and strap it to your roof rack. You didn’t say you have one, but I think it’s safe to assume that you do. Right?

 

If you can afford the cargo space, I've been keeping my spare (295/70/17) in the cargo area, upright on the driver's side. It fits behind the back seat.

Otherwise a tire swing is probably the most economical option.


Edit: picture added.

 

Could a 34 fit in the spare tire location aired down a little?

Just keep a compressor in the car for when you need it.

 

Try to fully deflate the spare tire and see if it fits again. Judging by all the gear you have, I am sure you have on-board compressor so you can always inflate as needed. Try that and let us know if it works.

 

Another option is to have a different sized spare. If it is only used in emergencies anyway, it will not be bad to have a 33” spare with 34” tires. Think of it like a donut spare.

 

Easy - deflate the spare and put it where it normally goes

 

Consider swingout tire carriers from Restless Off Road or 80% Off Road. Neither are bumper dependent and sit much higher than anything mounted in the hitch location.

https://www.restlessoffroad.com/product-page/5th-gen-4runner-spare-tire-carrier

https://80percentoffroad.com/products/5th-gen-toyota-4-runner-diy-swing-out-kit

 

Where are you located? If you are close, I may have a low cost hitch mounted solution for you.

If you don't want a full bumper, take a look at the Restless Off Road (ROF) solution linked above. That's what I recently moved to and like it a lot for a swingout option at half the cost (or less if you do your own install) of a full bumper. I did a full writeup on my install and posted it here somewhere

 

When it came to deciding on a rear bumper, it was Victory for me. I looked at all options, including the aforementioned. I just liked the modularity of Victory and I could add on as needed. And a big plus… I could do the install myself. (Solid tutorials on their YT channel) They delivered right to my door. Build quality and powder coating are excellent.

As of this post I think they are already doing Black Friday specials.

www.victory4x4.com

 

The Victory is a nice piece but once you get the bumper, swing out, tire mount, and license/camera relocation you're at $3200. Then $450 shipping. $3650 - yikes! Especially as the OP noted, he was originally expecting a no cost solution of the stock spare location. So for his scenario, even my suggestions at $1000 give or take are an unwelcome poke in the eye.
I would agree that it is sensible to consider the modular systems as well if OP has the ability to space the purchases out over time. Dissent Off Road would be another to look at but they're just shy of $3400 to your door as well. But like Victory, you can piece it out over time.

 

Based on cost, it seems like whoever suggested putting the spare in the cargo area was spot on!

I can't remember who that was..

 

Probably someone with no sense of taste or propriety.

 

True. Hiding the spare inside the vehicle does nothing for the folks who insist on advertising the fact that they off-road. How is anyone supposed to get attention from random people at the gas station if their spare tire isn't hanging off the back to let everyone know how cool they are?

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! If you go to 33s, why would you have wasted the cost of a regear and the cost of the UCA's? there are plenty of people on the forum that have 33s and have regeared and love it. UCA's are not a wasted cost either, they will help achieve alot more adjustability in the alignment. Try the air-down like mentioned above, if that doesn't work, do like Thatbassguy does. Don't rule out getting the C-4 bumper, it's not going to cost 2-3 G to install. You have a bunch of money stuck into it, what's a little more? Good luck.

 

If you don't get to get the admiration and hype up of others, THAT'S the money wasted! LOL.
And doesn't that really make this forum obsolete?

 

Carry a 33" spare at the stock location, and deflate it (0 psi) for cut resistance. I've driven on mismatched spares on my Tacoma twice with no issues. First time was 1200 miles (3x 32" + 31" spare). Second time was 200 miles (3x 35" + 32" spare). So no need for a matching full size spare if you don't plan to be more than 1200 miles from the nearest tire shop.

Heavy tire on a swingout is counter-productive for serious off-roading, because it unloads the front tires on steep climbs, robbing traction.

 

This looks awesome. My wife and I sleep back there, though. I took the rear seats out, built a platform, and then bought a 6 inch full sized foam mattress from Ikea and trimmed it to fit around everything back there. Most comfortable sleep that I've ever had camping, but we've spent about 50 nights this year sleeping in the back; we get out all of the time. So, there's not room for that.

 

They tried that. I guess an E rated tire, even deflated, doesn't compress enough.

 

If you dont carry alot of gear in the back deflate it and create a spot for it in your cargo area like in post 3. You can get a cheap canvas tire cover to seal up in so your cabin doesnt smell like rubber. This would be the easiest and cheapest solution

 

The rubber smell goes away after a bit.

 

I like this suggestion. However, wouldn't you need to make sure that it went on the front two tires and then come out of 4 wheel drive to avoid differential damage? Or, for 100 miles do you think that it would be fine?

 

^The 1200 miles I did was with the undersized spare on the rear axle. No issues whatsoever. No ABS/VSC/TRAC warning lights. 4x4 worked as it should. It's an open diff, so nothing to wear out or get damaged.

 

Only cost wasted is the difference between the tubular Dobinsons, which would be fine for 33s, and the aluminum ones that have more camber adjustability, that the shop said they would need for anything bigger than 33, so about $500 in the difference between those two.

That's good to know that the regearing will still be nice if I go down to 33s, though.

 

These look great. I'm going to get a quote on installation for them.

 

Since you built your bed platform do you have a window screen yet?
Here is my DIY screen made from luan plywood carefully cut to fit into rear windows. Using both sides works well in warm temps and using one side eliminates condensation in colder weather. If Interested in details please PM me.

 

Pfft I can get it to work no problem

 

Put the spare on the roof. I used a 10" j-bolt and an appropriate length of steel that spans the lug nut area. Have been to Alaska and 7 trips out west, has never moved. I was using 4 rachet straps and those worked well, too. The straps were a bit of a PITA, so I came up with this.

 

Yeah, spendy for sure. Would have gone with Dissent, but wasn’t available at the time. And I did a double take on the 80%…. NICE!

 

my Falken WPs 285/70/17 fits underneath with ease. Might be a good alternative