35" Baja Boss in Spare Location and Departure Angle/Tire Swap

[FatBaldandWheeling]

So poking around the forums, people seem to be fitting as far up as 37" in the under-bed location fairly successfully. As mentioned, I have 35"/12.5/17 Baja Boss tires. I was thinking of avoiding the under-bed spare location for two reasons:

1. In the event of something more catastrophic like a tire losing bead or otherwise being dropped down to the rim, accessing the spare may be more difficult
2. The width of full size tires vs. stock spare tires tend to eat up more departure angle

So for those of you who have stuffed tires underside, what has been your experience (if any) with those two items? I might just mount to the bed rail, but I'd lose some rail space that way.

Thanks in advance!

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[PuddleJumper]

So poking around the forums, people seem to be fitting as far up as 37" in the under-bed location fairly successfully. As mentioned, I have 35"/12.5/17 Baja Boss tires. I was thinking of avoiding the under-bed spare location for two reasons:

1. In the event of something more catastrophic like a tire losing bead or otherwise being dropped down to the rim, accessing the spare may be more difficult
2. The width of full size tires vs. stock spare tires tend to eat up more departure angle

So for those of you who have stuffed tires underside, what has been your experience (if any) with those two items? I might just mount to the bed rail, but I'd lose some rail space that way.

Thanks in advance!

i was stuffing my 37 under there, and i still do if i have all my gear. But for my solo light runs that are more technical. I put it in the bed. Cus it double as a sand anchor too and the reasons you've already stated.

 

[fourfa]

re: #1, I guess it depends a little on how much lift you have, but even at stock height there should be room to pull the spare out with a rear flat. Worst case, you're going to jack up the axle anyway, just do it before lowering the spare if there's a problem...?

#2 yes it eats up a little departure and slightly increases the chance of dragging the sidewall or rim. Mainly a concern on shelf drops - nose-up ramps will catch on the hitch or bumper first. You can add a hitch guard which also costs a bit of departure, but will help guard the spare somewhat. Or like above, move the spare when you run Moab double blacks

A few people here have done spare tire skids. Doesn't need to be much, just enough to keep rocks from digging in to the rubber. I'd be comfortable with smooth 1/16" aluminum sheet

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

I stuff the tire for every day use- but put it in the bed/top of the canopy when off roading. I drag the @$$ end enough- don’t need to rip a sidewall due to crap departure angle.
This is with a 12.5 wide tire… 13.5 would be worse

 

[FatBaldandWheeling]

Get a skid plate for the hitch. I scrape the skid all the time, never my 35 spare
This mine but there are cheaper ones
https://www.skidmark4x4.com/

I am trying a smaller receiver hitch skid that has a built in recovery point first. Because of drop ins, I worry that a full skid might get caught on something on the way down and hang up the rear end. Good advice, though!

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