Thanks Mark 79,80, for the info. on the spare size. I'm hoping that I can use the 7" rally wheel (Rim) just so if I do have to run it. it won't look too much out of place. Autoist, I don't know how many years, they ran the donut, I think they started it in 78 when the gas tank got larger. I'm sure there are people who do know on this forum. Have a great one, Gene

 

Stop, you're making too much sense!

When I bought my present car, it didn't have any of the spare tire equipment on it. I've driven a total of about 1200 miles in the car so far, all local cruising etc. with no problems yet (knock wood). Anyway, my old car had 235/60R15s on it and I had a spare of the same size. It fit in the tub like a glove. 255s will be about an inch wider and an inch bigger in diameter, I'm guessing one would fit in the tub, but it might be tight.

FWIW: I have collected up all the parts except a lock to put the capability back on the car. I am still re-conditioning the tub, but given the expected rain all weekend keeping me from driving, I may get the parts on the car in the next few days. Total cost so far is $650, including a new Rally wheel and new BFG Radial TA, so it wasn't cheap but not brutally expensive. I promised my wife I wouldn't take the car on any long runs until I had restored spare tire capability. If anyone wants to know the parts/prices/sources I used I would be happy to share, there were more knick knacks associated with this project than I originally expected (and so far, I have ignored the strap to hold the jack and wrench in place, but may get one sooner or later), just let me know.

 

I was messing around with the search function looking for something else, when this old post of mine came up. If there is any value to putting a bow on this one, I did restore spare tire capability to my car with a 235 60r15 back in November. In order to make the wider-than-design tire fit, I had to add some washers to the bolts holding the lock-bolt bracket so I could close the tub with the 235 in there, but otherwise, there were no issues with fitting that size tire.

As I posted months ago, the 255 will be bigger in diameter and wider than the 235. The tub looks like it can clearly hold the 255, but the nearly-an-inch wider tire would make me nervous about the ability to close the tub with standard hardware. I am sure longer bolts could be acquired/modified for the side toward the front of the car, and longer bolts/more washers could be used on the bracket side to fit that size, however, my concern would be that at some point, the tire tub would be hanging sufficiently low as to create a bottoming out hazard. My guess is that I could make a 255 work, but I think that is getting to the limit of the design of the equipment.

I would be happy to hear about direct experience carrying a 255 as a spare, as I have thought about trying to go to a wider tire sometime in the future.