Space saver spare on the C3
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
Space saver spare on the C3
I have a 71 convert. and it has none of the spare tire tub or bolts or any of the stuff that you would put the spare tire into that is still on the car. Has anyone mounted a space saver spare under there car just to at least have a spare just in case? I was thinking it should be easy to fabricate a way to hold it up under the frame out of sight. Just wondering.
Thanks
Johnny
Thanks
Johnny
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Sounds like a good idea. You have the security of a full spare without having to lug around a full size space. I've thought of doing the same thing since I have aftermarket wheels that are different sized front and rear. I would most likely try and match the rear tire diameter.
You should hit the local pull-a-part and let us know what you find.
You should hit the local pull-a-part and let us know what you find.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
I just use a can of fix-a-flat. If it is worse than that will fix, I'm waiting on a flat bed to take me home.
To your question, as long as you make sure the spare is big enough so nothing bottoms out or rubs, you should be good.
To your question, as long as you make sure the spare is big enough so nothing bottoms out or rubs, you should be good.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
I have researched this as I wanted a lightweight spare that had to clear my 13" brakes.
I found that the 98-01 F-body (Camaro/Firebird) spare works great. It weighs less than 30 lbs (stock wheel is ~50 lbs I think). The bolt pattern is the same as the C3. It just barely clears my big brakes.
Best part is that they are available for cheap from salvage yards. I got mine off ebay for $30.
I found that the 98-01 F-body (Camaro/Firebird) spare works great. It weighs less than 30 lbs (stock wheel is ~50 lbs I think). The bolt pattern is the same as the C3. It just barely clears my big brakes.
Best part is that they are available for cheap from salvage yards. I got mine off ebay for $30.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
I have researched this as I wanted a lightweight spare that had to clear my 13" brakes.
I found that the 98-01 F-body (Camaro/Firebird) spare works great. It weighs less than 30 lbs (stock wheel is ~50 lbs I think). The bolt pattern is the same as the C3. It just barely clears my big brakes.
Best part is that they are available for cheap from salvage yards. I got mine off ebay for $30.
I found that the 98-01 F-body (Camaro/Firebird) spare works great. It weighs less than 30 lbs (stock wheel is ~50 lbs I think). The bolt pattern is the same as the C3. It just barely clears my big brakes.
Best part is that they are available for cheap from salvage yards. I got mine off ebay for $30.
Thanks for the tip! I was just pondering the same thing as my 74' has nothing!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
I have researched this as I wanted a lightweight spare that had to clear my 13" brakes.
I found that the 98-01 F-body (Camaro/Firebird) spare works great. It weighs less than 30 lbs (stock wheel is ~50 lbs I think). The bolt pattern is the same as the C3. It just barely clears my big brakes.
Best part is that they are available for cheap from salvage yards. I got mine off ebay for $30.
I found that the 98-01 F-body (Camaro/Firebird) spare works great. It weighs less than 30 lbs (stock wheel is ~50 lbs I think). The bolt pattern is the same as the C3. It just barely clears my big brakes.
Best part is that they are available for cheap from salvage yards. I got mine off ebay for $30.
Johnny
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
Johnny
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: St. Charles Missouri
Once again, y'all can color me stupid. If you have a posi-traction rear, doesn't a smaller tire
diameter make the diff work harder to compensate, thus wearing out our favorite gears faster?
I don't know but I've always run the same "size" tire on the back of my glass car. When a rare flat would occur, I'd start swapping front to back to make things even in the butt end.
Educate me.
diameter make the diff work harder to compensate, thus wearing out our favorite gears faster?
I don't know but I've always run the same "size" tire on the back of my glass car. When a rare flat would occur, I'd start swapping front to back to make things even in the butt end.
Educate me.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
Once again, y'all can color me stupid. If you have a posi-traction rear, doesn't a smaller tire
diameter make the diff work harder to compensate, thus wearing out our favorite gears faster?
I don't know but I've always run the same "size" tire on the back of my glass car. When a rare flat would occur, I'd start swapping front to back to make things even in the butt end.
Educate me.
diameter make the diff work harder to compensate, thus wearing out our favorite gears faster?
I don't know but I've always run the same "size" tire on the back of my glass car. When a rare flat would occur, I'd start swapping front to back to make things even in the butt end.
Educate me.
Johnny
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
Johnny