Tires too Big for Aluminess

jage · 01-16-2009, 10:32 AM

Well I put 305 Toyos on and the 285 BFGs barely fit on the spare carrier (Aluminess). The guy who put the tires on was going to build me a 1" spacer, but it's been 2 weeks and I'm sick of chasing him.

The design was a triangle plate with 3 holes matching the Aluminess Octagon, a welded spacer (2" square tube) and then a rotated triangle plate matching the first. We were going to pop the studs and bolt one trangle to the Aluminess side and reuse the studs for the other/tire side.

So, now that this spacer isn't getting made, what is the prescribed solution for hanging larger tires on the Aluminess?

pjpvi · 01-16-2009, 11:52 AM

Back when I was going to go from 33" to 35" tires, I had Aluminess send out an adapter / spacer plate they have for their older style tire carriers. It required popping out the existing studs. It's still sitting on my bench because I ended up just putting the 33" Toyo M/T's on. I couldn't convince myself that 35" tires wouldn't rub bad on turns.

Sooo ...... you should lob a call into Aluminess, describe the problem and have him send out the adapter / spacer kit. If you want, I can post a picture of it later.

Phil

adventureduo · 01-16-2009, 01:24 PM

I just had that spacer from aluminess also and sold it to someone on the board, because when i went from 33's to 35's my tire fit just fine. I guess i got lucky.

Greg In Austin · 01-16-2009, 03:07 PM

Has the spare tire carrier changed? or are there more than one version?

Our 35inch Coopers fit fine.

pjpvi · 01-16-2009, 03:14 PM

Not to pull this off topic, but did those of you running 35" tires have to do additional trimming to the inside rear of the front fender flares? The PO of my van had what I think were 35's (maybe they were 37's??) prior to my purchase and you can see where they chewed away at the inside rear of the flare.

Thanks -
Phil

Greg In Austin · 01-16-2009, 03:20 PM

no fender modification front or rear for us.

adventureduo · 01-16-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg In Austin

no fender modification front or rear for us.

Same here.. no trimming , our 35's fit perfect. There's more than enough room.

jage · 01-16-2009, 04:39 PM

The SMB 4x4 should fit 35s, but not the Quigley (AFIK).

Also in the early years the SMB 4x4s had clearance issues with the step rails, even on 33s I think- SMB started cutting them off.

adventureduo · 01-16-2009, 05:21 PM

Jage, i really like your custom dual spare setup!

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-16-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adventureduo

I just had that spacer from aluminess also and sold it to someone on the board, because when i went from 33's to 35's my tire fit just fine. I guess i got lucky.

I bought it just to see what it was. Jage, I'll sell it to you for the $10 + shipping I paid for it. If it doesn't work for you, you should be able to make a simple spacer for the adapter to get the width you need.

Let me know.

Mike