I've got some questions for you knowledgeable folks. I just ordered a set of four 20" rims and I need a spare. I have no idea, but I heard you have to have the same rim and tire size if you have 4-wheel drive. Does that still apply if your 4-wheel drive is not engaged?

Now, assuming I do need the same size spare, what would you guys do in my situation? These are the only 2 options I've come up with so far.

1. Buy the same rim for a 5th wheel (this is out since the rims are $370.

2. Buy the cheapest 20" rim I can find in the 6-135 bolt pattern.

It would be nice to find a wheel like the stock spare, but in a 20, (maybe Dodge has one) but it's probably impossible because of the bolt pattern.


Anyway, for those of you with 4-wheel drive and a different size aftermarket wheel, what are you doing? As always, thanks for the help and the don't hesitate to throw in your 2 cents?

 

As long as the overall tire diameter is the same, it doesnt matter what size the wheel is on the spare.

 

that's what i would assume but the guy at discount tire told me i needed a 20" rim.
sounds like good news to me. as long as everyone agrees.

 

Good looking rim BTW...can't wait to see the pics.

 

Thanks. I should be getting them Friday. I'll post pics when they're mounted and I'll update my gallery with the rest of my mods as well.

 

For the sake of argument...would it hurt anything to keep the original spare? The size difference isn't huge and it would just be for temp use.

 

Just dont get a flat..

 

The guy at Discount Tire was trying to sell another rim. As long as the tire diameter is the same (or very close), you will be fine. The problems arise when you have different diameter tires on the same axle and the pinion gears are spinning to make up for the different axle shaft speeds.

How often do you use your spare? I've used mine once in the last 150K miles (I'm counting miles on my last two trucks). I would be perfectly fine using a different size spare since I understand what's going on with the axle. I would simply not drive very far or very fast with the spare on, depending on the difference in diameter. My factory spare is so far out of round that I can't drive over 60 mph with it on anyway, but it holds air and will work in an emergency. And the only reason I have a spare is for emergencies.

 

the only thing that sucks is that a 33 inch tire is an expensive spare whether it's an 18 or a 20, but i guess that's what i get for buying bigger rims.