PRNDL

54 pounds!!!! Dang, stock 68 AG rally wheel and some old radial tire (205/70?) I knew it was heavy, but didn't think it was THAT heavy! Now I don't feel so bad about using the jack to put the carrier back up! I had to drop the spare today to get at (and tighten) my muffler hanger, so I thought I would weigh the spare. That is a lot of weight over the rear wheels. Wonder if I will lose in traction what I gain with weight-savings if I remove it.... If I take out the spare tire and the soft-top that's 100 lbs easy...

ACECO

My spare was in that ballpark too. However due to Bubba putting the dual exhaust system on not quite right, the spare carrier doesn't open up enough to put the spare into place.

I just carry a small 12v compressor and a can of fix-a-flat. If that doesn't work, its the cell phone and a AAA card. All of them together are ALOT lighter than the spare. However so far, I haven't had to test my system. Here's hoping I never have too either.

Schmucker

Apparently by the time you need the spare the fuel savings from the reduced weight is enough to pay for a tow truck.

Remove 100lbs, remove a tenth from your quarter mile. First thing I did was get rid of the spare tire and carrier.

ewalker302

I wonder if you could get a "doughnut" or space saver spare?

I have a 69' and recently had a blowout, so the tire couldnt be fixed, I had removed the spare b/c it wouldn't hold air, and 3 of the holes in the rim were really enlarged. The only other tire/rim I could get my hands on was off my 50' chevy pickup. It fit, but I had to pull the caliper to get it on.
I would like to have a spare and since mine is trash I would really like to find something lighter/smaller, & maybe cheaper than a new rally wheel.

Also, after taking out the spare and the carrier, there is a big open space under there, I wonder if this has any adverse (high speed) handling effects??

ACECO

IMHO, I wouldn't want to use the donut on the rear as the difference in tire size between this and the normal tire may very well destroy the posi within a short distance. However I suppose you could always use it in the front and/or swap the tires around if you get a flat in the rear.

FWIW.

73jst4fun

There are alot of us that have removed the spare completely and carry fix a flat for several reasons. It just looks cool to see all of the rear end especially if it's done right, others just don't like the extra weight, for me it's both and I make sure I have my AAA card, which I have not had to use yet. Gordonm has done the same also....remember us at Englishtown ?

Gordonm

The spare for me is pretty much useless. I used to carry around a 215 75 15 in there because that is about all that would fit in there. if the rear blew a tire it would eat up the posi in a few miles. You would have to swap around the tires to get the spare on the front. I carry a cell phone and AAA and a can of fix a flat. Never needed it yet. In the last 20 years I have driven over 600,000 miles in my daily drivers and needed a spare once for a log in the road that I hit. You never know but for me I do not have a spare.

75rag4sp

There is a lot of talk about removing the spare but in my owners manual I came across an interesting comment. "Do not operate vehicle without spare properly mounted. the spare tire in an intergral part of the vehicles safty structure in the event of a rear end collision." I also learned that the owner before me put just a tire up there....No rim...and yes I learned that the hard way. So now I also run without a spare. only in the back of my mind I do worry about that soccer mom in the surburban talking on the cell phone behind me and if I have introduced pinto style combustability by weakening the body structure.

Surfer69

I like using the carrier for stuff like jumper cables, plastic gas can and water (radiator fluid) bottle. Fix a flat in the battery compartment.

75rag4sp

I think it would be a nice place for NOS

PRNDL

I am also a AAA+, fixaflat, cellphone guy!
The spare tire has remained in the carrier for "crash protection"
I don't even carry a jack in the vette. (Can't imagine using the tiny little stock-style jack)
Looking at my new custom exhaust I was concerned the carrier might hit the pipes, but it drops down as before. The carrier itself seems to weigh nothing, but that rim...
I might pull out the spare next time, at the track.

lostpatrolman

LOL, i was thinking the same thing. There really isnt much space for it anywhere else.

GrandSportC3

Don't have a spare tire on my '68...

Schmucker

Even that carrier is heavy.

Jay M

When I had my car at Guldstrand recently I mentioned that I was considering getting rid of the spare. Dick said If I do that I'll need to put weights back there to compensate for it.

On a BB with iron heads I guess it is quite front heavy!

~Jay

Fevre

Son you need to hit the weight room if you think that plastic carrier is heavy.

comp

Red73

rosslato

i've had mine outta there over 14 yrs and 70,000 mi and haven't had a flat yet, knock on wood. what i'm wondering is how long is a can of fix a flat good for? do you get a new can every year or are they good fo 3-5-7 years? anybody know? http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/331969/2

rosslato

sorry about that red73, it was supposed to be your quote and car. don't want to be taking credit for your beautiful 73.