37 inch spare fits in spare location on 23+

[NightForceFan]

On a topic tangentially related to heat shielding, is anyone on here running the Banks/CJC Trophy exhaust with a 37" AT under their stock hitch? If so, how is the clearance? That exhaust is on my mod list, probably before my tires are needing to be replaced, but if it wont leave enough room I'll probably skip it and just fab a heatshield like others in this thread have done.

If I compare pics on the CJC website showing trucks with that exhaust vs. some of their other pics of trucks running a stock exhaust, it does look to gain a little more clearance at least on trucks also running a Trophy hitch, would be cool if someone has some real world experience though.

Edit pics: seems like it creates a fair amount more room vs. the OEM exhaust at the closest point to the tire (hard to tell from the angles though)
View attachment 257463View attachment 257464

I have 37 RT Trails with the Carli Trophy Hitch and Banks exhaust. Zero issues. Not a ton of clearance, but good airflow through there so it’s never been an issue for me. Have had this same setup on both my 2025 and 2026 250 Tremors. I also didn’t add any heat tape or other barriers beyond what comes on the exhaust.

 

[Alpoba]

I could be wrong, but i recall @DTX2023Tremor had the heat shielding figured out with his trophy hitch.

 

[Tex_Hunter]

I have 37 RT Trails with the Carli Trophy Hitch and Banks exhaust. Zero issues. Not a ton of clearance, but good airflow through there so it’s never been an issue for me. Have had this same setup on both my 2025 and 2026 250 Tremors. I also didn’t add any heat tape or other barriers beyond what comes on the exhaust.

Did you happen to run your setup with the stock exhaust first before adding the Banks? If so, how much more space/clearance would you say you gained?

The Trophy hitch looks like it shifts the spare a little bit to the rear of the vehicle, I'll be attempting to fit a Toyo ATIII in the stock hitch like others in this thread have done, so would have a little less clearance all else equal which is why I am hoping I could get away with the Banks Trophy exhaust (looks a little cleaner IMO) vs. adding additional heat shielding to the stock tailpipe.

 

[majorbison]

So what do you use as your spare?

It’s in the bed until I hate myself enough to spend 3k on the trophy hitch. Probably here in the next couple months.

 

[NightForceFan]

Did you happen to run your setup with the stock exhaust first before adding the Banks? If so, how much more space/clearance would you say you gained?

The Trophy hitch looks like it shifts the spare a little bit to the rear of the vehicle, I'll be attempting to fit a Toyo ATIII in the stock hitch like others in this thread have done, so would have a little less clearance all else equal which is why I am hoping I could get away with the Banks Trophy exhaust (looks a little cleaner IMO) vs. adding additional heat shielding to the stock tailpipe.

I did run it stock on my 2025 first and if I remember correctly, I gained 3/4-1" more clearance with the Banks. Again, neither provide a huge gap, but I would not have hesitated to run the OEM exhaust on this setup with no heat wrap long term. I just think there is plenty of airflow back there to not cause any problems. If your tire touches the heat shield, that is a different scenario. I would not be in favor of that.

I will take a pic later today when my son shows up with my Tremor. His 4Runner is under the knife today now that my GX is finally out of the shop. Will post here and pm you as well.

 

[Drbubbles84]

It’s in the bed until I hate myself enough to spend 3k on the trophy hitch. Probably here in the next couple months.

That seems crazy expensive doesn't it? I'm surprised there are no competitors

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

I could be wrong, but i recall @DTX2023Tremor had the heat shielding figured out with his trophy hitch.

I wrapped the exhaust, added some high temp silicone wrap spray on top of it, and then added a layer of aluminum heat shield around the exhaust closet to the tire, covering about 12 - 14 inches of the exhaust. Aluminum was partially added to protect the wrap from the trophy hitch tire retention strap hooks from rubbing on the wrap and wearing through it.

Also had a tire shop adjust it so the exhaust now sits about 1 - 1.5" away from the tire (was previously about 1/8 - 1/4"). I haven't added / replaced the tire retention straps as the exhaust melted the first one at the clasp before I had the adjustment made.

 

[Ragin Cajun]

That seems crazy expensive doesn't it? I'm surprised there are no competitors

For that price, someone should design a custom one piece entire bumper and hitch.

 

[majorbison]

Carli was the first to do it so I suppose they can name their price. It’s a solid unit, 3” receiver and super over built.

I purchased a Curt hitch that has the side to side clearance but the receiver bar is so big it pushes the tire into the diff cover. The oem hitch allowed the tire to be somewhat up there but it was riding on the exhaust so i didn’t keep it there long. Someone could make a receiver, it’s pretty straight forward but I think for liability reasons a lot of folks don’t. Probably $300 in materials and some solid MIG skills would be plenty.

 

[MVI]

Carli was the first to do it so I suppose they can name their price. It’s a solid unit, 3” receiver and super over built.

I purchased a Curt hitch that has the side to side clearance but the receiver bar is so big it pushes the tire into the diff cover. The oem hitch allowed the tire to be somewhat up there but it was riding on the exhaust so i didn’t keep it there long. Someone could make a receiver, it’s pretty straight forward but I think for liability reasons a lot of folks don’t. Probably $300 in materials and some solid MIG skills would be plenty.

This is Exactly why shops like mine wont do hitches or hitch mods for people.

The Liability overhead is too great for a smaller shop to carry.

 

[dpspeed]

Mounted my spare 37" Toyo AT3 with no real issue. I lowered the psi to 25lbs and a few little kicks as I was raising the carrier. Viola! seems to be pulled up to the 4 plastic pads. I was expecting a fight and it was very simple.

I wonder if the 23+ have more space...I have a 2020, wondering if I should buy a spare 37 to match my Toyo AT3s. I really need to have a legit spare before towing my camper too far. Probably by August 1 I need to do something...

 

[Ragin Cajun]

I wonder if the 23+ have more space...I have a 2020, wondering if I should buy a spare 37 to match my Toyo AT3s. I really need to have a legit spare before towing my camper too far. Probably by August 1 I need to do something...

I was wondering the same. I'm just going to try it out when they mount my new 37's. If it fits, I'll order a 5th. If not, I'll keep my stock spare.

 

[dpspeed]

I was wondering the same. I'm just going to try it out when they mount my new 37's. If it fits, I'll order a 5th. If not, I'll keep my stock spare.

I think I read somewhere that my 17x8.5 on 37x12.5r17 won't fit, but the 37 will fit on the spare wheel.

 

[WV4Life]

I even left the heat shield that goes around the spare intact. Its a hair from the exhaust and rattles a little at start up idle but its there.

 

[Prod1911]

I wonder if the 23+ have more space...I have a 2020, wondering if I should buy a spare 37 to match my Toyo AT3s. I really need to have a legit spare before towing my camper too far. Probably by August 1 I need to do something...

I'm pretty sure it has been mentioned in this thread and or in another one, the 23+ trucks have more room, the 17-22 trucks cannot fit a 37in spare unless you deflate and ratchet it and even then it's iffy.

I believe I saw a post on facebook that you can put a 23+ hitch on a 17-22

 

[majorbison]

I happen to have a ‘25 hitch if anyone cares to come get it.

 

[healthyrx]

Has anyone chopped the exhaust at the downturn after the axel on a 7.3l?

I've done this on multiple Toyota trucks for better off road and spare tire clearance.

Not a 7.3 but just chopped my 5” exhaust shortly after the axle to make a semi side exit axle dump so that I could fit a 37” spare

 

[Jack.]

Not a 7.3 but just chopped my 5” exhaust shortly after the axle to make a semi side exit axle dump so that I could fit a 37” spare

How much more space does it make? Is the exhaust the limiting factory or it is the hitch itself? Wanting to fit a 38x11.50.

 

[majorbison]

How much more space does it make? Is the exhaust the limiting factory or it is the hitch itself? Wanting to fit a 38x11.50.

The hitch pushes the tire into the exhaust. The hitch has an interior profile that’s rounded on the bumper plane that pushes larger tires rearward. I hadn’t considered it but chopping the exhaust could be an option.

 

[Jack.]

The hitch pushes the tire into the exhaust. The hitch has an interior profile that’s rounded on the bumper plane that pushes larger tires rearward. I hadn’t considered it but chopping the exhaust could be an option.

Interesting. Thanks for insight. Waiting for my truck to be built, but whenever I get I will be exploring an exhaust chop.