I recently upgraded to Falken Wildpeak 265/70R16s (30.6" diameter) and the spare didn't clear the bumper. I just finished the spare tire carrier flip and it now clears the bumper by about 1-1/8". The flip is pretty easy. I took the opportunity to brush off the rust, repaint and replace the pretty rusty bolts. I didn't cut a notch in the carrier. I simply re-indexed the rear wiper blade. Take it off the spline, rotate about 10-15 deg. clockwise and put it back on.