I'm looking for how big of a tire will actually fit in the stock under bed location. My '11 Sport 4x4 has 255/70r16s on it stock and I think the spare is skinnier but just as tall (also a 16"). I'm looking to throw some 265/75s on it and I'm curious as to if a spare of that size will fit underneath.

It's about a 31.7" tire compared to 30.1" stock. I'm pretty sure the FX4 guys can fit a 31x10.50 with no prob. Just curious if anyone has done it with any size larger than that. I'd rather not have to throw a spare in the bed or get a special mount.

 

I've got a 265/70-16 under my 99 right now and it fits fine. It did take removing the receiver hitch though. With that in place, 245/75-16 just barely made it.

 

Crap! 265/70 16 is only 30.6". I need another 1/2" on each side. I use my hitch to tow my jet ski...don't wanna remove that!

Maybe my hitch is different, was yours a Ford hitch or aftermarket?

 

It's a reese hitch. Hope that helps.

 

Awesome, thank you. I guess I'll have to drop mine and measure the space I have to know for sure.

 

You don't have to have same size spare tire on 4x4s, just FYI

You should NEVER run different size tires for both front or both back tires, but one smaller or larger size tire won't matter because the differential can compensate for that, i.e. same as going around a corner, one tire will rotate faster or slower than the other, no damage occurs

If you are getting 5 tires for aesthetic reasons then OK, but if you thought you had to because of 4WD then you don't

 

I understand that, and it has nothing do with aesthetics. I would just feel more comfortable knowing I have an exact size spare.

The factory spare is smaller than the rest of the factory tires. I've also heard of some guys with factory 16's having a 15" spare.

 

Spare really is for temp use, i wouldn't worry about it, the factory 'signed off' on this size :) Only thing you should care about with the spare, is rolling radius.

 

That's all I'm worried about. It can be skinnier, I just want the same diameter so all corners are spinning at the same rate.

 

My FX4 LII came from the factory with four 31x10.5R15 BFG's plus a 235/70R16 Continental spare on a steelie. The spare is about 29" diameter. I think you might be able to jam the 31 in the factory location on a Ranger without a hitch. The hitch pushes the spare forward so that it no longer takes full advantage of the curved reliefs in the frame rails and that restricts the max diameter that will fit.

Here's another piece of info that you probably don't want to hear. The BFG "31" inch all-terrains that came on the Level II's were actually only a true 30.5" diameter, same diameter as the 245/75R16's found on many other 4x4 Rangers. This is not just a BFG practice. Many "inch-size" tires from other tire companies are not true to what you might expect based on the sidewall numbers. When new, so-called 31's commonly spec out somewhere between 30.5" and 30.8" with just a few at a true 31".

So, when you talk about a new Ranger factory 31 fitting in the the original spare location, you're really talking about 30.5". And when you're talking about a Ranger with a hitch, it could be considerably less than that. Ford put a 29" tire in there so that should tell you something.

 

I have a round tube Hidden Hitch receiver and a 31" BFG AT fits very well in the spare tire area. It does sit right on the receiver though. I actually have a 32 x 11.5" spare in there now. It does not fit all the way in the recess for the spare and hangs down a little more but I have never drug it on the ground or rocks when I am off-road. I have hit the receiver a few times. There are situations that could result in the spare tire hitting but I avoid those situations by modifying my line.

 

Sounds like Hidden Hitch has a more favorable design. My Draw-tite pushes the spare forward a lot. I believe the situation is the same for the Ford factory hitch and Curt.

I remember someone posting years ago that he had persuaded a "well worn" 33 to fit in there. Don't know if that truck had a hitch but I doubt it.

 

Awesome, thanks for that. I looked up the 32x11.50 BFG and it shows 31.5" around. The 265/75s I'm looking at are 31.6". There's no markings on my hitch that I can see yet so I'm guessing it's a factory Ford hitch. I'll have to get under there and look.

I appreciate all the input guys. I still have to install the pre-keys and some earlier rear blocks as well. Once that's done the new shocks and tires will go on. I'll be sure to update once I get a larger spare as well.

 

Do you have a link or model number? I couldn't find it in a quick search.

 

Actually, I don't think they make that model anymore. I recall doing a search for the round tube Hidden Hitch receiver a couple years ago and could not find it either.

Here is a link to one on Amazon that is very close to what mine looks like. It is listed as "Currently unavailable"