well, i can cross two things off my list:
1) with some help, i was able to bore out the center hole of my two rims so that they fit on the sentra. i drove back from the peninsula with them on, and no issues (…yet). i also heard today that i’m not allowed to drive around with 3 spare tires in mexico…not sure why, or if they’ll check.
2) while finishing up wiring my old canon powershot s300 for the timelapse photography, there was a loud pop, and the camera won’t turn on anymore (in fact, it now actually shorts when power is applied to it)

next big project will be installing the jerry cans in the trunk of my car next week.