Spare Tire

[bajama]

I am sure this has been asked before but will a full size spare fit in the well under the bed of an 05 baja

[hookupny]

I am sure this has been asked before but will a full size spare fit in the well under the bed of an 05 baja

Other forum responses have indicated that a full size spare will indeed fit...I haven't tried it myself but perhaps I will find a spare wheel someday and see.

[daloon53]

I did some measuring and figure that the diameter is an OK fit, but the full size 225x16 will hang down about an additional 4 inches below the donut. I am currently looking for a Forester steelie rim to transform into a full size spare, as the size and offset are apparently the same.

[bajama]

I found a matching wheel but I'm not sure if the price $125 is a good deal I may also try to find a steelie

[davecoon13]

When I bought the car, the dealer salesperson assured me repeatedly that a Full Size spare would fit. The owner's manual says never to put a full size spare in it.

Ground clearance is already limited to 8". If the full size spare sticks an additional 4" down, does this cut overall ground clearance to 4"?

The circumfrence of all the tires can vary no more than 1/32" of an inch with the AWD system, or else you risk severe damage to the AWD system.

The reason I considered a full size spare is so I don't have to disable the AWD system (read the owner's manual--it says you need to pull out a fuse to disable AWD with the spare).

With road wear, my fear is that there would likely be more than 1/32" difference, even with a full size spare.

I'd be interested in finding out from owners of other types of Subarus (like Outback, WRX, etc) if they have full sized spares, or if you still have to disable AWD with a full size spare?

[kidjoe]

As an option....and only if you have the oem cargo rack. You can purchase the spare tire mounting kit for the cargo rack from Yakima. This would allow you to carry a full sized spare. Looks pretty cool too!

[stefan]

I can't find in my 03 manual where it talks about disableing the AWD when running the spare- It does state that you should not put the full size tire and rim in the spare carrier- and even goes as far as to show how to muont the Flat tire in the bed of the Baja for safe transportation-

[ebbie97]

Only when you have an AT, you need to disable the AWD-system. With MT, you just put the donut on and of you go to get your tire repaired.
-EB

[stefan]

Thanks- I was all in a panic!!! I reread the manual last night- Yup only for Auto Trans- I skipped right over it (see that is Why Standards are Better!!!!)

[davecoon13]

Yup only for Auto Trans- I skipped right over it (see that is Why Standards are Better!!!!)

With the traffic in this area, a standard shift is not a good choice. It took me 3 hours to get home last night (15miles) because of traffic accidents. My normal 12 mile commute is anywhere from 25-45 minutes.

[stefan]

LMAO- All I drive is standard- Even when I was an on the road salesman (putting 50,000 mile a year on my car) I drove standard- I just don't like the Automatic tranny- even in city driving- Plus the control a stick gives you is amazing (especially in our Winters!)

[Kev M]

So anyone figure out a place for a full-size spare yet?

I'm thinking that if I get the hard-locking tonneau I can always carry a full-size spare in the bed for road-trips, and just keep the donut around for local use.

Any other solutions?

Kev

[stefan]

You can "lock down" a full size in the bed- or get one of those cool cargo boxes for the roof rack- other than that- your stuck in "donutland"

[Kev M]

You can "lock down" a full size in the bed- or get one of those cool cargo boxes for the roof rack- other than that- your stuck in "donutland"

that's what I was figuring.

I think I'll go lockdown.

I want to keep the roof free and open most of the year. Except maybe coem ski-time, then it is cargo box time.