5 new wheels or 4?

[yoda13]

OK, so assuming I buy new wheels, and I am pretty sure I am. I have a different question from the topic of my other thread. When I purchased new tires, I bought 5. I am not sure if I need to do that with wheels. All 5 tires are 34s. However, if I buy new wheels, they will 17x9. The spare is the factory 17x7.5. I know the tires won’t be the same size mounted to the different size wheels. Will it be enough to make my Gladiator angry, and I should get 5 new wheels, or will it be safe to keep the stock wheel for the spare and just get 4 new wheels. Thanks!

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[vicsvx]

OK, so assuming I buy new wheels, and I am pretty sure I am. I have a different question from the topic of my other thread. When I purchased new tires, I bought 5. I am not sure if I need to do that with wheels. All 5 tires are 34s. However, if I buy new wheels, they will 17x9. The spare is the factory 17x7.5. I know the tires won’t be the same size mounted to the different size wheels. Will it be enough to make my Gladiator angry, and I should get 5 new wheels, or will it be safe to keep the stock wheel for the spare and just get 4 new wheels. Thanks!

If you're going to keep the spare as a spare... You'll be fine buying 5 tires 4 rims. However, if you plan on doing 5 tire rotation, could be a different story.

 

[Camaroboi13]

100% recommend a matching spare for a 5 tire rotation. You get 20% more miles between replacement tires

 

[aFatBird]

100% recommend a matching spare for a 5 tire rotation. You get 20% more miles between replacement tires

My favorite part of the 5 way rotation is trying to keep track of where everything is going. That's why i have a tire crayon

 

[Camaroboi13]

My favorite part of the 5 way rotation is trying to keep track of where everything is going. That's why i have a tire crayon

I keep this laminated in my glove box.

 

[aFatBird]

I keep this laminated in my glove box.

I just whip out the phone and load up the same picture every time. I'm almost to the point that I remember it

 

[yoda13]

Decisions…lol. I probably will just go with 4 wheels…but I will think about it.

 

[Jteakus]

I like to carry my spare with valve stem point toward ground so it is easy to check psi. Was looking at how spare mounts (hangs) and it seems like it would mar a nice aluminum wheel. How do you prevent this from happening?

 

[SCMojaveGirly]

OK, so assuming I buy new wheels, and I am pretty sure I am. I have a different question from the topic of my other thread. When I purchased new tires, I bought 5. I am not sure if I need to do that with wheels. All 5 tires are 34s. However, if I buy new wheels, they will 17x9. The spare is the factory 17x7.5. I know the tires won’t be the same size mounted to the different size wheels. Will it be enough to make my Gladiator angry, and I should get 5 new wheels, or will it be safe to keep the stock wheel for the spare and just get 4 new wheels. Thanks!

5 would be idea. You need a spare!

 

[Reddout99]

As long as the tire diameter is the same, which it is, the 1.5" wheel width won't make a difference on your spare. Like others have said, if you intend to do a 5 tire rotation, then you would want a matching wheel.

 

[Hootbro]

Depending on the tire, you can fit a 35 in the spare location with no issue. 37's you may need to air down and possibly a curved rear trackbar.

That being said, I just bought decent cheap used full size tire for the spare and had it mounted on a cheap correct size steelie wheel and just made that my spare set.

I did not like the idea of having a nice matching wheel in the elements under the vehicle and also did not relish the extra bit of a pisser dropping and remounting to do a 5 tire/wheel rotation for just a supposed 20% better life treadlife. To me, the math starts getting fuzzy buying a new matching wheel and tire when I could probably go through a couple new 4 tire/wheel sets before needing to change the spare out due to age vs. buying new 5 tire/wheel set each time.

 

[pcrawfordpt]

Get the fifth wheel and do a five tire rotation. This will give you 20% more tire life. Otherwise the spare will likely just age out with nearly full tread, as it rarely gets used.

 

[Empty Pockets]

20% more life between tire replacements sounds good. But it’s also 20% more expense when you replace them. It’s a wash in my book.

A spare, to me, is just that. It gets you down the road to the first place that can repair or replace the damaged tire. Emphasis on First Place. Don’t want to be that guy with a flat tire AND a flat spare!

 

[Wildtoad]

Keep the current spare a spare, keep it at sidewall tire pressure, keep it clean and it should last you for 8-10 years as a spare. If you ever need it, put it on, adjust pressure to what you normally run. Get the flat/damaged tire repaired as soon as you can.

This assumes you don't need matching tires / capabilities while rock climbing, or other off pavement events.

 

[yoda13]

I already have put on 5 matching 34” BFG KO2s…I think I am going to keep the spare on the factory spare wheel and just replace the wheels on the ground.

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