ZJ: 31" tires and donut spare?

[TOOLman]

After installing the Kolak exhaust system, I'm now thinking about my next mod :) I'm planning to build a stealth box for a subwoofer in the cargo area. I like the little storage net on the passenger side, so I'd like to keep that.

I have 31x10.5 tires, but I still have just the stock donut spare, so here comes the question: Can I use the donut spare at all with those tires? If so, are there any special considerations to keep in mind? Maximum speed, longest distance etc.? If I can't use the stock spare, I thought that I'd throw it out and build the stealthbox on the driver's side instead.

[Zac]

After installing the Kolak exhaust system, I'm now thinking about my next mod :) I'm planning to build a stealth box for a subwoofer in the cargo area. I like the little storage net on the passenger side, so I'd like to keep that.

I have 31x10.5 tires, but I still have just the stock donut spare, so here comes the question: Can I use the donut spare at all with those tires? If so, are there any special considerations to keep in mind? Maximum speed, longest distance etc.? If I can't use the stock spare, I thought that I'd throw it out and build the stealthbox on the driver's side instead.


Tommy what kind of TC do you have? Isn't the 95 limited the quadratrac?

YOU SHOULD NOT USE THE DONUT SPARE in any 249 TC situation. That being said I believe that there is a TSB or recall on the donut spares by DC. (Not sure about older vehicles though.) You can use the donut spare for the 231 and the 242 but only in 2wd.

Just get another tire...heck even one off a wreck would be better than the donut.

Zac

[flip]

donut = BAD!

the donut spare is very bad. i blew out my rear diff this way. when the jeep was bought, the dealer pulled the full size spare because he thought the deal was too tight. needless to say it came back to haunt him. when i threw the spare on, it blew out my rearend and possibly my TC. the dealer accepted the blame, and i ended up with a good deal on a 97, but it was still aggrivating.

you can run the donut in 2wd on the front. you can run it 2wd on the rear as long as you don't have track lock. i'd spend the few bucks and buy one of those black AR rims and throw a full size tire on it.

[Lou Corrado]

As others said, you can use the donut only if you don't have the 249 or a rear limited slip, but you can't drive in 4WD with the 242 or 231 because the different size tires may make it not come out of 4wd. Also, donuts are limited to a max speed of 50mph, I think they have a tread life of about 3000 miles. The first mod I made to my ZJ was getting rid of the donut!! If you do a lot of highway driving, I'd get a matching spare.

Lou C

[TOOLman]

Thanks guys, that's what I thought. Yes, I have the 249 (Quadratrac), which I of course should have mentioned in the first place. I know I should get a full size spare. I'm going to wait a couple of weeks until after my annual test, to hear what the authorities say. In the worst case, I may have to ditch the 31's altogether. If not, I'll get a real spare.

[Colorado 5.9]

OK, with all that said. How safe, if at all would it be to temp. run with the factory spare (225/70/16's) if your running 30's or 31's? A little safer or not at all. Would there be a diff. if you ran it in the front or back?
I do plan on getting 5 tires the next time I get new ones. By that time I hope have a taller lift and so I'll be looking at larger tires.

[TOOLman]

My guess is that it would be almost as bad as a donut spare. The 225/70x16 is 28.4", so it's a pretty big difference from a 30" or 31" tire.

[flip]

tommy, chrysler did a recall on donut spares w/ quadratrac a few years ago (96 or 97, i think). i'd hit up your nearest jeep dealer and so you'll at least have a matchin rim to mount the tire on. i guess jeep figured out too late that donuts don't work w/ 4wd.

jonathan

[TOOLman]

Really?! I didn't know that.
Maybe I should try that, but I doubt it'll work. My ZJ was imported from Germany, so I'm sure the Swedish dealer will say they're not responsible. Can't hurt to try, though. Thanks for the tip!