Driving without a spare
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
When I was drag racing a few years ago the carrier came out to save weight and I've never put it back. It may not look "correct" but it looks cleaner to me. Besides, I have 2 different off sized tires and it'd be 50-50 on whether the spare matched a flat anyway. I'm not sure the carrier would even fit a match for my Nittos in the back.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Red Deer Alberta
I also read in some car mag a few years ago that the spare is important if your car is rear ended. I put mine up on the hoist and look it makes sense to me. If even it's not true I will feel better with that extra buffer behind me.
JR
JR
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
To me, the car looks a lot more complete with the spare tire carrier and the mufflers on both sides. I never considered side pipes on my car just because I don't like the muffler free look, although I like side pipes.
You can remove the spare tire if you are into 'weight saving'.
You can remove the spare tire if you are into 'weight saving'.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
I've heard that too, but I'm not so sure that it's true. 2 years ago a lady slammed into the back of my 81 doing 45 when I was almost completely stopped for a car in front of me, and it really screwed up the back of my car. Ruined both quarter panels, rear bumper, messed up the top surround, and bent the frame. The spare tire and carrier were untouched. Wrecked my exhaust, too. Pretty much the whole rear end except for the spare. It may help to some extent in a very high speed collision, but it didn't do anything in my instance, and how many people are getting rear ended with a mph difference of more than 45 mph?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
I think the cars are ugly from behind without the carrier. All that suspension/frame look is not attractive even when people restore it. It just looks unfinished, especially hwen theres 2 exhaust pipes/mufflerswrapping around the spot where it should be.
A nice clean correct carrier is a much cleaner look.
A nice clean correct carrier is a much cleaner look.
I pulled out the original spare and rally during the summer (virtually brand new, still has little paint markings), stored them in the garage, bought a used, cheap, 15X8 rally and splurged on a 5th Goodrich T/A to put in there. All-in, about $150.00 for peace of mind, which to me is cheap insurance. I have a can of tire repair, too. So call me paranoid!
If I was out tooling around, 100 miles away from home, I'd be screwed if I had a flat without a working spare. Never mind the hassle of calling and waiting for AAA (what if they didn't have a tire to fit a 41 year old car on hand) or having it towed someplace, begging the wife or kid to come get me (yea, right), or sitting in some flea bag motel overnight wating for some greasemonkey to fix it, the $150 is a mere pittance compared to the inconvenience of getting a flat. I just hate to have to rely on somebody else if I get in a jam.
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 585
From: Anaheim Hills California
I think the cars are ugly from behind without the carrier. All that suspension/frame look is not attractive even when people restore it. It just looks unfinished, especially hwen theres 2 exhaust pipes/mufflerswrapping around the spot where it should be.
A nice clean correct carrier is a much cleaner look.
A nice clean correct carrier is a much cleaner look.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Red Deer Alberta
I've heard that too, but I'm not so sure that it's true. 2 years ago a lady slammed into the back of my 81 doing 45 when I was almost completely stopped for a car in front of me, and it really screwed up the back of my car. Ruined both quarter panels, rear bumper, messed up the top surround, and bent the frame. The spare tire and carrier were untouched. Wrecked my exhaust, too. Pretty much the whole rear end except for the spare. It may help to some extent in a very high speed collision, but it didn't do anything in my instance, and how many people are getting rear ended with a mph difference of more than 45 mph?
just curious.
JR
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 2
From: Austin Tx
When I was drag racing a few years ago the carrier came out to save weight and I've never put it back. It may not look "correct" but it looks cleaner to me. Besides, I have 2 different off sized tires and it'd be 50-50 on whether the spare matched a flat anyway. I'm not sure the carrier would even fit a match for my Nittos in the back.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
I have had lots of uninformed folks think that was the gas tank anyway.
I kept all the original pieces for the mount hw, tub, wheel/tire assembly; even purchased a new 'glass tub as original was busted up at lowest point from too many tall speed bumps.
Might even put it back in some day but not yet. Leaving it out. After rebuilding that rear axle, it'll show easier to anyone interested to look.
I kept all the original pieces for the mount hw, tub, wheel/tire assembly; even purchased a new 'glass tub as original was busted up at lowest point from too many tall speed bumps.
Might even put it back in some day but not yet. Leaving it out. After rebuilding that rear axle, it'll show easier to anyone interested to look.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
No spare here. A 275 40 18 would not fit in it anyway. A smaller tire will burn up the posi in short time if you run two different size rear tires. A cell phone and AAA do it for me. I never liked the bloated look of the tire carrier.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I just recently put the spare under mine, I found a tire the same diameter as my rear tires so it won't hurt the rear end. It's a little taller than the fronts, but it'll get me home.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 739
From: Youngstown Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Let's see, my choices are change my flat myself and move on or wait for some guy with few teeth in a rollback that has no respect for my car and is possibly going to do more damage to it than it has recieved in 32yrs.. I'm going to have to think about it. 
mds...
mds...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: Sparta Mo.
That's an interesting point. I've been driving for 20+ years now.
The only time I needed the jack and lug wrench from ANY car that owned was when I was in a hurry after I did a set of brakes and left with the left front wheel only hand tight. About two miles down the road, I heard the wheel clunking and knew right away what it was.
That was about ten years ago. (knock on wood) I never got a flat on the road in one of my cars. ...and at last count I've owned over 70 cars so far.
I've said it before, maintenance is key. I keep my vehicles properly maintained and inspect them once a month or more. I don't like surprises.
The only time I needed the jack and lug wrench from ANY car that owned was when I was in a hurry after I did a set of brakes and left with the left front wheel only hand tight. About two miles down the road, I heard the wheel clunking and knew right away what it was.
That was about ten years ago. (knock on wood) I never got a flat on the road in one of my cars. ...and at last count I've owned over 70 cars so far.
I've said it before, maintenance is key. I keep my vehicles properly maintained and inspect them once a month or more. I don't like surprises.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Australia
I think the cars are ugly from behind without the carrier. All that suspension/frame look is not attractive even when people restore it. It just looks unfinished, especially hwen theres 2 exhaust pipes/mufflerswrapping around the spot where it should be.
A nice clean correct carrier is a much cleaner look.
A nice clean correct carrier is a much cleaner look.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
Slightly on/off topic, but will a 235 x 70 x 15 fit with some (or no) adjustment? I would like to get my spare operational...but 235's is what I have all round (TA's).