Hey guys, ive been spying on the site for quite some time but this is the first time i haven't been able to find an answer just by searching, so if this has already been asked, please redirect me.

So I am a college student and its time for some new rubber this thanksgiving or winter break. I'm currently running a set of 255/70R/16 Goodyear Wrangler RT/S, including the spare. This time around I'm eying a set of 265/75R/16 Cooper Discoverer S/T MAXX. Now, my question is, is the difference enough to warrant changing out the spare tire? I do have a LS Diff, but i feel like purposefully running mismatched tire sizes in an emergency might be a good way to tear something up. If i need to buy the tire, no big deal, its just hard to let go of the spare that's 3 years old and still in good shape (no major cracks, wear, etc.)

The second question is, i have a true dual exhaust set up running on either side of the spare tire, with an inch or two on each side of the tire to spare. am i playing with fire by letting the tread sit within an inch of those pipes?

Thanks guys, love the site almost as much as my truck! Any help is appreciated.

 

You do not need to buy a new spare, however, that does mean if you have a flat on the rear, you should put the spare on the front and move the front to the rear.