So I've finally completed a project I've been working on for a while - a functional spare tire solution for a 2IS with big brakes. The catch? I didn't want to build a completely custom trunk to accomplish this. For those that use their IS as a daily driver, this is a nice thing to have. I first tested the Infiniti RAYS G35 forged wheels to see if the front wheel would fit both the front and rear of my car. It did, but using that would still require a custom trunk.

The solution? An OEM IS-F spare tire with a 25mm spacer. Since this clears my Brembos (barely), this solution will clear all aftermarket big brake kits (not sure yet about ddquach's WP Pro kit).

Here's the clearance at the top of the caliper - it's barely a millimeter or two:


Here's the clearance at the bottom of the caliper, just as close:


And as a fringe benefit, you get a hellaflush spare!




Here's what you'll need:
-1 IS-F OEM spare wheel (Lexus part #42611-53210)


I took advantage before I had the wheel mounted to the tire to spray the spare matte black to cover that hideous banana yellow Lexus decided to put on the spare:


-1 135/70/R18 tire. This will be the toughest piece to find - I bought mine from a Les Schwab tire store in Oregon for $129.50 shipped to my door.


-A set of 25mm spacers with extended studs. Any brand will probably do, I used a set of H&R Trak+ spacers.


The spacers come with open-ended nuts that mount flush to the spacer, allowing the wheel to bolt properly onto the hub of the spacer (the lug nuts are not fully tightened in the pic below):


Comparison of the IS350 spare and the IS-F spare:




I put the spacer, nuts, and OEM lug nuts in a bag between the spare and the spare tire well:


...and then installed the IS-F spare using my own IS350 hardware. The only catch is that you won't be able to use the foam topper that holds the scissor jack spindle, but that's okay, since it fits to the right as you can see below:


Here's a pic with the trunk floor installed - it fits perfectly: (I know, I know, it's dirty )


and here's what it looks like all buttoned up:


Oh, and for you IS-F guys with BBKs... This works for you too. Special thanks to CrazyMPG, V8_Aristo, T-Rex06 and Flipside909 for help finding this solution.

I hope you guys find this useful!

Javier

 

great post for those with BBK

is that a custom flashlight mount ??

 

hah sweetness. Nice work Javy

 

sweet so it worked!

i gotta do this cuz im rolling around without a spare

 

great solution javy. i need to just take mine out because im gunna put my amp down there and clean my trunk up a little bit

 

nice work javy. this solution will be very helpful for us.

one question for you:
can we use isX50 spare wheel with a 25mm spacer???

 

Sacrifice spare is the main concern prevent me from getting BBK. Now here comes a good solution, good job

 

Good job Javy! I've been pondering about that but now i'm getting rid of my Panda so i have no use for it haha

 

Haha, yes sir...
Unfortuntely no. At least it doesn't clear my Brembos.

Javier

 

Thanks Javi! This will come in handy one day for me lol. I knew the G35 spare would work!

 

You should upgrade to an LED flashlight

 

^John, that IS an LED flashlight...

Javier

 

AAA card is my backup plan.

 

nice, something i have been looking for a while now.

 

Would you still need the spacer for the F-Sports?