Donor Space Saver Spare Tire - Anyone Done This?

[Gumball]

UPDATED 5/12/16 - Some controversy on this one, but I thought I'd bring it back up to the top for those who are wondering if they can put a spare in their trunk.

Original post follows.....

I kept the like-new space saver spare (17") from the donor '94 SVT Cobra that I bought when I started this project and just for fun tried a test-fit of it in the trunk with the Breeze hidden hinges. It looks like it'll work as the hinges will go through their full range of motion without hitting it and it appears that it won't interfere with the body in this position, but it'll take-up most of the main portion of the trunk. I'm thinking about installing a tab and using a J-hook like the old Mustangs (something from a '65 - '73) and only carrying it when I stray far from home on roadtrips. The only real problem I can see is that I'll have to carry the flat tire in the passenger seat, but if I have a problem that a plug or fix-a-flat won't take care of, this could be a good alternative to waiting for the AAA guy to arrive.

I'd be interested in seeing if anyone else is doing this, though.

[Gale K]

As Wibby said on the "other" forum:


I have my 94 GT spare too. It does fit perfect in the trunk and the outside diameter is the same as my 315/35 rear tires so it won't damage the clutch pack. I haven't mounted it yet, but I'm getting ready to. The 94 GT jack will fit under the car too and can be used to jack the car from the control arms with a little bit of modification (welding). Also, the 315/35 rears will fit in the trunk with a bunge cord holding the lid down. All that's required is a towel to keep the wheel and trunk lid from scratching each other. AAA is a good solution in or near a city, but if you're cruising the middle of no where IL and you don't remember the name of the road you're on (because you were planning on back tracking anyway) then AAA isn't much help. A plug kit and pump is an okay solution, but it's really nice to be able to throw a spare on and head back home. Plus the spare still works when the flat tire was from sidewall damage.

Good luck,
Wibby

Then I said,
I'm going to use Wibby's approach. Have you ever waited for AAA to come to the rescue? Everytime I have used them, I have waited at least an hour each time. That's useless to me.

Agreed on flat tire in the trunk w/bungee cord. Keep a garbage bag/tire bag in the trunk, too, to keep the trunk clean.

[Cobradavid]

I carry a spare in the trunk. I have the standard FFR-supplied hinges on my Mk 3.1, so clearing the hidden hinges wasn't an issue for me.

It looks like you might be able to shove the spare farther forward (and maybe to one side?) to regain a little trunk room. Since the trunk lid will be open when you are taking the tire in/out, you only have to worry about the hinges hitting the tire when the lid is closed.

Check out the "trunk" page on my build site.

http://mysite.verizon.net/resshc7d/id4.html

Maybe a similar tire position will work for your trunk and hinges.

David

[Gumball]

David,

Thanks very much for the link - that's perfect. I'm going to try and reposition the spare so that the passenger side hinge comes down inside the wheel cavity - that ought to make the trunk much more useable.

[edwardb]

Just to throw it out there... For just a few dollars more on my insurance from Midwest Classic I got roadside assistance, flat bead towing, etc. If I'm out in the boonies and have to wait a bit, that's OK. Haven't had a flat on any car for years (probably shouldn't say that out loud...) and with the very limited trunk space already, don't want to take it up with a spare. In other words, be inconvenienced all the time in case of something that very rarely happens. I carry a few tools and a small cheap HF 12V compressor. If the time comes, I'll try that, and if it doesn't work, call for assistance.

Probably not news to the car guys on this forum, plus many might not think it's good news, but more and more new cars don't come with a spare either. They're looking for every chance possible to save weight (and $$$ of course). Instead have some type of 12V pump and maybe a can of fix-a-flat. But that stuff can really mess up tire pressure monitors (TPM's) and it's probably cheaper to call for a tow truck.

[Cobradavid]

Chris,

Glad to help. I like the peace of mind of having a spare tire, jack, and tools with me.

David

[289FIA_Cobra]

Just to throw it out there... For just a few dollars more on my insurance from Midwest Classic I got roadside assistance, flat bead towing, etc. If I'm out in the boonies and have to wait a bit, that's OK. Haven't had a flat on any car for years (probably shouldn't say that out loud...) and with the very limited trunk space already, don't want to take it up with a spare. In other words, be inconvenienced all the time in case of something that very rarely happens. I carry a few tools and a small cheap HF 12V compressor. If the time comes, I'll try that, and if it doesn't work, call for assistance.

Probably not news to the car guys on this forum, plus many might not think it's good news, but more and more new cars don't come with a spare either. They're looking for every chance possible to save weight (and $$$ of course). Instead have some type of 12V pump and maybe a can of fix-a-flat. But that stuff can really mess up tire pressure monitors (TPM's) and it's probably cheaper to call for a tow truck.

*EDIT*
I use a 12V pump and the standard plug w/glue kit. Works like a charm ! I've got 15,000+ miles with right-rear tire that holds air as well as the other 3, and two plugs. Probably a little out of balance, but I've never noticed it. It should be noted that BOTH plugs have all of those 15,000 miles as I got this within the first month after it was registered and on the road.

Now that I think about it, as these are Nitto 555 drag radials, it might be time to start thinking about changing them very soon but as light as this car is, I have not see any nylon or steel braid.

[hrosenthal]

Has anyone tried Runflats? That's what I was planning, but haven't checked availability yet.

[AJ Roadster NJ]

I had a brake problem with my truck recently (whole 'nother story) and I was extremely impressed with AAA towing. The guy was loading me onto a flatbed for the trip home within 20 minutes of my initial call. Got the truck home and fixed it myself. Just sold my Roadster, but I always said that my emergency kit was a credit card and a cellphone.

[Timbob From Texas]

A lot of the new cars have no spare tire, but come with a flat repair kit like this one:

http://www.slime.com/shop/safety-spair-70005/

[edwardb]

Has anyone tried Runflats? That's what I was planning, but haven't checked availability yet.

Haven't checked into runflats for this specific application, but suspect you're going to find some pretty major obstacles. A few years ago, runflats were going to be widely used and replace spare tires across the board. The reality is they're expensive, have a somewhat lower lifespan, and because of their relatively stiff design require a suspension specifically tailored to their use. Plus for real performance applications, the additional unsprung weight is a concern. BMW uses them widely, others like Honda have stopped using them. In general, they're only used on a pretty limited number of high end vehicles. I suspect you would have trouble finding them in the right sizes and tread compounds for our application, and the negatives outweigh the positives.

[Gumball]

Here's an interesting how-to from a few years ago. It's not without it's controversy - as some prefer to rely on a patch/plug kit, compressor, slime, and/or their AAA card. But, sometimes you're in a place where you just want to get out of Dodge as fast as you can and having a spare tire at that time could be a life-saver. Think sitting on the shoulder of a highway that passes through a bad part of town with a torn sidewall or when a storm is bearing down on you.

Also, this may not work with a Mk4 due to its lower trunk height - but maybe someone is willing to experiment.

Mine fit great and I did end up affixing a loop that I made out of some compressed stainless tubing to the upper trunk floor (reinforced from underneath with a small piece of steel flat stock) and then modifying an old "J" hook and attachment hardware from an 1st gen Mustang to act as a hold-down. The right side trunk hinge passes nicely into the void of the wheel, but it does take up quite a bit of the trunk.

Initial test fit...

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/TrunkwithSpareTire.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/TrunkwithSpareTire.jpg.html)

[GoDadGo]

I've got MK-4 and a space saver so I'll try to fit it in to see if your option works.
My body is on and the roll bars are on too so it will be a good test.
A Solution For One May Be A Solution For All!
Will post an update once the jury is in.
THANKS-O-MILLION!

[myjones]

The 33HR guys are in the same boat so I bought 4 mini spares to have the car on rubber while being built and later I will sell off those other 27" spares. That's what works on my 33 AND they fit in my trunk
which is a win in my book. YRMV
Dale

[Dave Howard]

No room allotted for a spare in my trunk. I did include A tire repair tool, plugs and the smallest 12v compressor in could find as part of the in-trunk tool kit.