How rusty is your wheel?

Pulled mine for the first time since owning the car(about year and half) while changing the diff fluid, and had to hammer the holder off. It isn't rusted through, yet, but I am scared to ever use the damn thing. Is it pretty typical for these to rust a good amount? I've sanded it down and resprayed with rough tough paint, but rust is hard to fight off once it has started.

Anyone purchase a 5th alloy and mount it up? Anyone try to put a pad/tarp over the top of the wheel to prevent mud and dirt to collect on the wheel?

Looking for options on what to do.

Thanks!

 

I drop mine twice a year, clean it up and lube the lowering mechanism. I don't really want to be fighting with a stuck spare in the rain and the dark when I get a flat. It's a Murphy's Law thing, you never get a flat during the day when it's sunny

 

Mine's still in decent shape. Dunno why, being in the rust belt and all. I clean mine up and check the pressure every once and again too.

If you put a tarp over the top wouldn't water/dirt/rocks/what have you still be coming in from underneath, through the holes in the wheel, and the tarp keep it in more?


You need a giant ziploc that seals at the cable entry.

 

Does your truck have a trailer hitch? Did you buy it new?

It's quite possible that the previous owner used the truck to put a boat in/out of the ocean. That is the most popular cause of rust in the back of a truck.

 

My spare rim was totally rotted out. It is however 20 years old now but I had to torch the thing off. I just recently ended selling it for junk for $10 lol. The spare tire had never been used as it was the original 20year old dunlop a/t. I would suggest dropping it and lubing it up every once in a while to keep it in check.

 

Mine was pretty rusted up too, but when I had the undercarriage cleaned up and an undercoating done recently they cleaned up the spare too. Just changed the tire on it too, it was pretty bald and low on air. Who knows how long it has been since it was used. The lowering harness dropped pretty easy though. I just bought the 4runner about 2 months ago.

 

The spare looks to be new as it still has the nubs that new tires have. The pressure was 10psi, thank goodness I didn't get a flat before checking this.

I suppose I'll look to purchase a new metal rim and swap the tire onto it just to be safe. Would like to know if anyone has used a regular alloy instead of the crappy metal wheel.

Glad to see mine wasn't the only one that was in rough shape!

 

Mine has a little rust on it. pretty normal out here with all the snow and salt we see. But I do drop it atleast once a year and lube the mechanism. If you wanted to you could just grab an alloy and mount it up there. if you don't use it often though it'll just pit and corrode over time.

 

I got tired of having mine underneath so I carry it inside. As soon as I put my rack on it will go on top. I know some people rather have the free space in the back but I don't mind it back there. Keeps it out of the elements as well.

 

Toyota recommends 5-tire rotation as states in your owner's manual.

I always check the spare, murphy's law at its best, if you have it, you won't need it. I have 2 spares, one kept at the normal location and one extra on the hitch mount carrier when wheeling.

drop the spare and spray WD40 on the winch mechanisim, also rub down the cable with a rag soked with ATF. never failed. but it's a california truck, not much of rust to begin with.

 

I was impressed that mine dropped as easily as it did. I had a flat about a week and a half ago and I'd never lowered my spare in the over 3 years I've owned. I was so shocked when it lowered with no difficulty. The wheel was a little rusty but not terrible. I sprayed it with some WD-40 while I was changing the tire.

 

when will the world learn about PB Blaster beats the hell out of WD which enduces rust and does not lubricate.

Trust in the PB

as for the spare a little rusty and still new.

 

any one put an alloy back there and a 285???