Looks like a solid solution. I went a slightly different route. I have a spare wheel, wheel foam (jack holder), and foam cover on order with Subaru. Picked up a cheap all season tire in the Canadian spare size. Pulled part numbers from Reddit so I think it will all work but holding off on posting them until everything comes in. I have ~$380 in the setup that is on order.

 

Awesome work, thank you!

 

Will a full size spare fit if you pull all the foam?

 

Since I don't have one to try I'm not sure. My guess is that a full-size spare won't sit flush with the bottom of the spare tire area of the trunk and you'll need a longer M8 bolt to secure it to the threaded hole (maybe 20 centimeters/7.87 inches). And then without the styrofoam, you'll need to figure out how to securely store the jack and other tools.

 

I’ve got almost the same setup. Went to the local auto yard got a washer and bolt out of a Hawkeye wagon, pulled the round foam tool piece holder out of a 2014 Forester and got the tire and wheel from Modern Spare.
I also picked up a set of hub centric rings to help center the tire on the bore if I ever have to use it.

 

How do you find a hawkeye wagon so easily? Most local yards rarely have any subarus, and if they do, it's late model crosstreks/foresters with crash damage.

 

I plan on tossing in a plug kit. Been riding motorcycles for years without any spare tire and I’ve had a few flats as have others I’ve ridden with. Plug kit gets you back up and running quickly. Only thing it won’t fix is if some large object cuts your tire. But I’ve never had that happen. Every flat I’ve ever had was a nail or screw in the tire and it slowly went down over time.

 

That's an option but here in Michigan (especially in the spring) we have some pretty large pot whole that can take out the sidewall (and have had that happen).

 

Is it possible to just order a Subaru spare?

 

Yes. Will post part numbers once mine comes in and I know it fits. There are some Reddit threads and YouTube videos that I pieced the parts list together from.

 

What year did they stop including spares?

 

2022.

 

You can order the wheel and buy your own tire. 205/50R17 is the spare tire spec per the owners manual. Here is what I ordered from Subaru. Noting that you will also need the spare tire screw in holder. I already had a spare one of those sitting in a parts drawer (See OP for part numbers on those).

28151VC000​	Wheel (Spare 17X7J, 17X7J, Black)
95086FL02A​	Spacer Floor, Center. (Rear)
97035FJ050​	Jack Holder.

The foam (floor spacer) was not the right one (looked like it would fit a donut not the almost full size spare), so I had to cut chunks of it off to get it to fit. Not as clean as I wanted to but it turned out ok.

 

Will you please post some pictures and a description of where you cut?

 

I ordered these from Discount Tire direct. Well under $200 shipped and mounted. They even included the Centering rings that I wanted. This is a regular tire, not a space saver or limited use. A factory steel wheel and labor was not worth the extra $100. Should be here in a few days and I'll do a test fit.

 

I ordered these from Discount Tire direct. Well under $200 shipped and mounted. They even included the Centering rings that I wanted. This is a regular tire, not a space saver or limited use. A factory steel wheel and labor was not worth the extra $100. Should be here in a few days and I'll do a test fit.
View attachment 335116

Any update on the fit?

 

Thanks man.

 

As an update the foam hack job is no longer needed. Canadian foam is now available through US dealers. Subaru WRX Spacer Floor, Center. (Rear). TRUNK, TRIM, ROOM, Interior - 95086FL210 - Genuine Subaru Part

I ordered one earlier today.

 

That 205/45 R17 spare is going to severely damage your drivetrain if used on anything other than a Base model WRX. If you do have to use it, I'd only put it on the back of the car, and let it rip up your rear differential instead of your transmission. Even on the back it might still damage the transmission.

 

205/50 R17 is the factory size for spare. Not ideal but ok from off-ramp to tire shop.

Rear diff has never been the issue, it can tolerate mismatched tires for a while. Center diff has viscous coupling which engages & heats up with speed difference between axles. Eventually it will fail, usually open which just degrades cornering performance. In very rare cases, the fluid degrades enough to solidify & that's when you have to replace it.

Edit: The dramatic videos of smoke pouring from transmission are not from a 1-2% diameter difference, they are from stupid shit like burnouts or towing with one axle on the ground.

 

If anyone's looking to order the Canadian foam spacer (95086FL210) from parts.subaru.com, I'd suggest not putting your car's VIN in the order form. I put my VIN in the order form out of habit, and the dealership had the audacity to cancel my order because it is "not the right part for my car", and told me to order the US part number instead. Seems like dealerships never cease to find new ways to piss me off.

 

I placed the order again after explicitly telling the dealership that this is the part that I wanted. The dealer ended up calling me back saying that SoA would not let them order the part because it's a Canadian part. Anyone else experience this problem? Going to try another local dealer near me but this is very frustrating because I had just cancelled the order I placed last month with a Canadian dealer.

 

Ordered from local dealers website. Status is Order Received and has the part listed as On Order.

 

I was thinking of making a panel to fit over the tire, this would make the truck floor about an inch lower after removing the foam side panels. Every little bit helps.

 

I just got the Modern Spare tire/wheel package. Looks like a nice alternative to a steel wheel, although it was a little pricey after shipping and such. Mine arrived scratched/scuffed so not as impressed as I should have been.

 

I'd complain, at that price it should be like new and not damaged. A small credit would be fair.

 

I'm seeking that out right now. Hoping they make good on this.

 

FYI, I have a 2022 wrx limited with the 18" wheels. I went with the discount tire option and it fits on the car (tested rear wheel) and in the trunk, $230 out the door. Tire SENTURYUHP215 /50 R17 95W XL BSW Item #11237 Wheel LIQUID METALATOM17 X7 5-114.30 38 BKGLXX Item #49027

 

Did you buy the wheel install kit? The Discount Tire site says factory OEM lug nuts don't work with aftermarket wheels.

 

?

 

Thank you so very much for the above information to resolve the ”no spare tire” dilemma for my 2022 WRX Limited - I followed your instructions and now have peace of mind every time I drive her.
Given the additional weight to the rear of the car, I’m now wondering if I should increase the pressure in the rear tires from 32 psi to 33 psi to match/balance with the 33 psi in the front tires. Did you leave the rear tires at 32 psi or increase to 33 psi?

 

I am disappointed in Subaru dropping the spare on the WRX. Having said that, has anyone had to use the tire repair
kit provided to owners of the 2022 and newer WRX models. If so, how easy was it to use and did the repair get you to someone that could repair or replace your damaged tire. I know that some other manufactures have also stopped providing spare times ion some models.

Seems to me that Subaru dealers would voice their displeasure with this decision. Subaru could offer to sell you a spare and eliminate the repair kit. I would pay to have the knowledge that I had a spare it I really needed it.

 

Thanks all for this great info, have a WRX on order and not having a spare really irks me. This will be the first ‘mod’ I do.

 

What area are you in? I may have a spare for sale.

 

Castle Rock CO

 

I need to figure out the part numbers to do this for my TR. I'm sure the 17" won't clear the brakes. I wonder if the foam and the other parts will work. I'm trying to remember if my 21 STI had a spare. I may need to order one of those.

 

You never want to put the spare on the front so it just has to clear the rear caliper. Planning to put a 135/70/18 in mine though.