mike...
Spare tire question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Spare tire question
Has anyone successfully carried a 255-60-R15 spare in the stock spare tire carrier? I tried to fit a deflated 255 in my carrier tonight and no luck. Carrier has been lowered to hold a 225-70-R15 spare successfully. I recently realized that if I had a flat on one of the 255's currently on car I might not be able to get it into carrier. I may try removing top half of carrier and see if a 255 will fit or might go to 225-70's all the way around car. mike...
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 5
From: bradenton fl
mike i had a friend whom had the 255-60's. And what he did was to get a threaded rod and a extend nut? dont know if its called that but it was about 3in. long. He threaded the stock hanger bolt into the extended nut. And then the new threaded rod, again a few inches long. This lowered the spare tire tray about 2 to 3 in. But be careful on speed bumps. I dont remember if he took the top tray piece out as this was about 30+ yrs ago. Worth a try and cheap
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
No way. I recently replaced my spare tire on the factory 15 x 8 wheel with a 65 series tire. And even then, it was up on a lift and took 3 of us struggling with the cover and bolt to get it in there! I have 255/60's all around also, but as long as it's not a mini spare (which would kill the posi rear), I'm not concerned. Too bad I still don't have a jack!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
mike i had a friend whom had the 255-60's. And what he did was to get a threaded rod and a extend nut? dont know if its called that but it was about 3in. long. He threaded the stock hanger bolt into the extended nut. And then the new threaded rod, again a few inches long. This lowered the spare tire tray about 2 to 3 in. But be careful on speed bumps. I dont remember if he took the top tray piece out as this was about 30+ yrs ago. Worth a try and cheap
Sorry I don't have a pic of the install, but you get the idea:
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 5
From: bradenton fl
Thanks for photos, thats exactly what we did. Should help the OP
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 3,130
From: Shamong, NJ
As others have said, you'll need to lengthen the hanger bolts in some manner, to carry a 255/60 in the tub. This only applies to 77 and earlier cars though. 78-82s used different front hangers and rear lock bolt, so that the tub could hang lower, and accept the factory optional 255/60 tire, if need be. You can use the 78-82 parts, with your earlier tub, as an alternative to lengthening your stock hardware.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
that will definitely work, but be careful on the bumps, lol!! it works better than extending the rear bolt because it doesn't drop the rear of the carrier at that much of a severe angle. it drops the whole carrier on a much more level basis.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Thanks very much to all who answered. I can not lower my tub any more as the 2 1/2 exhaust is in the way. I very much appreciate all the help. I tried with a deflated 255 but it was not even close with the stock front bolts lowered as much as I felt comfortable with. I had about 3 threads above the nut on the frame but exhaust is the limiting factor. I just ordered 5 225-70-R15 BFG's to be installed Sat. Then car will be able to be driven, for the first time in many years, to the North Texas GTG's in the future. Thanks to the Corvette Forum and it's Members. You guys ROCK. Mike...
Last edited by mds3013; Oct 21, 2010 at 06:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 3,130
From: Shamong, NJ
A lot of Porsche 911 and Ferrari owners, have had a very romantic evening ruined that way!
I would think a can of Fix-A-Flat, or a quick call to Triple A, would be a better solution.
By the way, good looking car there Mike!
I would think a can of Fix-A-Flat, or a quick call to Triple A, would be a better solution.
By the way, good looking car there Mike!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
Thanks very much to all who answered. I can not lower my tub any more as the 2 1/2 exhaust is in the way. I very much appreciate all the help. I tried with a deflated 255 but it was not even close with the stock front bolts lowered as much as I felt comfortable with. I had about 3 threads above the nut on the frame but exhaust is the limiting factor. I just ordered 5 225-70-R15 BFG's to be installed Sat. Then car will be able to be driven, for the first time in many years, to the North Texas GTG's in the future. Thanks to the Corvette Forum and it's Members. You guys ROCK. Mike...
I told hubby last night we need to start Bucket Llists for our '73 and
'03 Z06.
Last edited by Vette Fetish; Oct 23, 2010 at 06:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Thank you VetteFetish. I am presently cleaning and polishing 5 YJ8 aluminum wheels after new tires this morning. It is raining here today but hope to get car on the road tomorrow. Got to go to Cars and Coffee next month or guys will think that car does not exist.
mike...
mike...