[snowrx]

Ok, so we would have to get the RAV4 spare wheel and then get and mount a 135/70 tire on it?

 

[snowrx]

Now I wish I hadn't bought option #1...

 

[snowrx]

Has anyone looked at the 18x4T alloy spares fitted to the 370Z or various Infiniti models?

 

[snowrx]

I'm assuming we will need to swap on a shorter tire on most wheels, just trying to broaden the search to possibly find a cheaper wheel to fit it on. Never know who has what in their driveway to check fits!

These seem to have a 145/70 18 mounted.

 

[snowrx]

Still waiting for very reasonably priced options to replace my $130 Maserati item. I've only seen things in the $300-$400 range thus far.

 

[snowrx]

between the Strap method or the Rivnut/Tie down method, which is the preferred way?

The rivnut is a cleaner, more OEM install, and what I'll do if I find a cheap under floor spare. I would caution that in a dynamic crash, a single owner-installed rivnut is not going to be much of a restraint for a heavy spare tire, even if it has to get past the seat to crush the soft passengers. I would use multiple rivets or rivnuts to attach a nut plate to the trunk floor, spreading the load beyond just one point in the thin sheet metal.

 

[snowrx]

Can you share the link?

 

[snowrx]

If anyone has the opportunity to peruse the junkyards for another spare option, or is set on some 17's, I scanned my front brake and made a template of the hub face and caliper profile that could be used to check potential wheels for caliper clearance.

The template incorporates a 60.1mm hub and one 12mm stud that can fit against the wheel face. If the hub doesn't fit in, the wheel center is to small and if it's loose it will need a hub centering ring. Obviously you want some good clearance between the barrel and spokes of the wheel and the template's caliper outline. It's not a precise template, so use your judgement if clearance is tight.

The template is on OnShape (cad.onshape.com) listed as "GRC Caliper Profile Template" and you can export it as a .stl and 3D print one.