DIY Spare Tire Kit

[tk1971]

My DIY 2020 Model Y LR AWD Spare Tire kit:

1) Spare tire from a 3rd Gen Nissan Murano. 18x4 steel wheel, 5x114.3mm (or 5x4.5”), and 66.1mm bore. The Stock Nissan spare tire size is T165/90R18 and has a diameter of 29.69”. My stock 255/40R20 has a diameter of 28.03”. I may have a tire shop put a T165/70R18 for a diameter of 27.09”.

2) Chevy S10 pickup or Blazer emergency scissor jack. This one has the little domed protrusion that fits the Tesla’s jacking point. I know of this jack because I was the first to test fit this jack for my Chevy Bolt which has similar jacking points (on the ChevyBolt forums).

3) Chevy S10 / Blazer tire iron with 21mm (13/16”) hex lug wrench.

I test fitted it this morning using all the hardware listed above and drove it around the block a couple of times to make sure everything works.

I only tested it as a rear wheel, as I didn’t test fit it in the front, so if I have a flat in the front, the first thing I will do is to swap the rear to the front then install the spare in the rear.

I also made a little tool to remove the center cap from my 20” wheel.

 

[tk1971]

 

[E_R_N]

How do you store it in the car, just laying on the deck in the back? I have this urge to remove the frunk liner and mount a spare and jack in there for road trips though I have only ever needed a spare once in my life so haven't found the need strong enough yet to justify it.

 

[tk1971]

How do you store it in the car, just laying on the deck in the back? I have this urge to remove the frunk liner and mount a spare and jack in there for road trips though I have only ever needed a spare once in my life so haven't found the need strong enough yet to justify it.

I’m waiting for a vinyl spare tire cover to arrive then I’ll start figuring out where to put it. I noticed that the sub-trunk also has a liner. Maybe there’s room in there?

If there isn’t room for it anywhere to hide it, I may have to lay it right on the trunk and somehow secure it. Maybe I can flip it over and use it as part of some kind of cargo organizer?

 

[wr200man]

Interesting experiment. I have a kit on back-order from Modern Spare...I will do a comparison once it comes in.

I'm curious about the load capacity of the tire (the MY is pretty heavy) also that of the scissor jack.

 

[wr200man]

BTW: That style jack with the arm on the end is awful to work with....the newer scissor jacks are a lot more efficient. An extension also makes it even a bit easier to use so you are not racking your knuckles on the side of the car.

https://www.amazon.com/LEAD-BRAND-Scissor-Capacity-Strength/dp/B07CZGK5J6/

 

[tk1971]

Interesting experiment. I have a kit on back-order from Modern Spare...I will do a comparison once it comes in.

I'm curious about the load capacity of the tire (the MY is pretty heavy) also that of the scissor jack.

Interesting experiment. I have a kit on back-

Yeah I was going to order a Modern Spare, but they have the kits on backorder. This would be the ideal solution.

I had a planned trip so I needed it sooner. Doing all this extra homework looking up wheel center bore sizes, bolt center diameters, minimum wheel diameters, caliper clearances, vehicle weights, tire/jack ratings, and going around buying random pieces to assemble this kit through trial and error is not ideal. In the end it worked out.

The Goodyear T165/90R18 is rated at 2,149 lbs max load (from the tire).

For the tire, a Nissan Murano SUV weighs 3,823 to 4,137 lbs (Google).

A Model Y is 4,416 lbs (Google).

4 tires x 2,149 lbs would be 8,596 lbs. I don't know if the math is that simple, but this spare tire should be fine for the Y.

For the jack, a Chevy Blazer weighs 3,782 to 4,287 lbs (Google).

 

[tk1971]

Got an update on this.

I recently got a 19” alloy spare tire from a Hyundai Equus with a T155/70-19 tire. The tire has a 1150kg / 2536 lbs limit which is enough given the MY GVWR / GAWR FT/RR of 5302 lbs / 3004 & 3306 lbs.

This tire also has a diameter of 27.5”, which is only 1/2” less than my stock 255/40-20 tires.

I also found a way to stow the spare without losing too much cargo space. I removed that one platform covering the shallow storage space up against the rear seat backs to get me a couple of inches. I then stored the tire tools in that shallow area and used a ratcheting tie-down to secure the spare against the rear seat back. I then put my cargo organizer in front of the tire and I’m done.

 

[Jacopa]

How do you like the Autailers mat? I'm looking at them but not sure how they match the black/gray interior

 

[tk1971]

How do you like the Autailers mat? I'm looking at them but not sure how they match the black/gray interior

I like them better than the Weathertech mats in my Bolt EV.

 

[tk1971]

Some final pics on the Equus spare. I mounted it on the front and went for a ride. Everything worked without drama. Being a 19” wheel, there was plenty of room for the front caliper.

 

[mbdionio]

how much is the Equus spare?

 

[mark95476]

Great thread! Lots of practical information and pictures as well.

Some final pics on the Equus spare. I mounted it on the front and went for a ride. Everything worked without drama. Being a 19” wheel, there was plenty of room for the front caliper.View attachment 621482View attachment 621483

 

[NewbyMaybe]

Some final pics on the Equus spare. I mounted it on the front and went for a ride. Everything worked without drama. Being a 19” wheel, there was plenty of room for the front caliper.View attachment 621482View attachment 621483

 

[NewbyMaybe]

TK, did either spare fit in the trunk? Did you find hub adapters?

 

[NewbyMaybe]

Frunk? I meant.

 

[NewbyMaybe]

So the donut was not deep enough for the front caliper? Maybe deep enough for a MS85?

 

[tk1971]

TK, did either spare fit in the trunk? Did you find hub adapters?

The spare does not fit anywhere but the trunk (no sub-trunk, no frunk, etc.).

I bought the adapters but ended up not using them. The conical lug nuts do a good enough job centering the aluminum wheel.

 

[Pianewman]

Another question: the bore of the Equus wheel fits the hub perfectly, no gaps? I realize a spare isn't intended for long-distance driving, but still I'm wondering about the fitment.
Thanks!

 

[tk1971]

Another question: the bore of the Equus wheel fits the hub perfectly, no gaps? I realize a spare isn't intended for long-distance driving, but still I'm wondering about the fitment.
Thanks!

It’s a perfect fit. When the wife had a flat, she drove around for about a month waiting for a replacement tire as it was back ordered (no FWY).