I bought the car used 21 years ago and never bothered looking at the spare, so i guess i do not need it now 
spare tire
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington IL
spare tire
I know there was a thread out there regarding this but I couldn't find it in the search. I just removed my spare tire holder and was thinking there could be a safety issue with the fuel tank. Once the upper cover is removed the fuel tank is exposed to anything that may come up off the road and hit it. Anyone have anything thoughts on this?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
According to GM, the spare tire and carrier is suppose to protect you from damage resulting from a rear-end collision. Sounds like a pipe dream to me. I think they put the tire there and then made up that explanation.
I recently got rid of it; probably 100 pounds or so. Packing Fix-A-Flat and a Cellphone; plus "roadside assistance" on my insurance policy.
I swear my car runs quicker and the rear view is much improved.
I recently got rid of it; probably 100 pounds or so. Packing Fix-A-Flat and a Cellphone; plus "roadside assistance" on my insurance policy.
I swear my car runs quicker and the rear view is much improved.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
there are lots of cars out there with more exposed fuel tanks than a Vette without a spare tyre.
Most 65-75 GM fullsize cars have the tank under the trunk floor and you dont hear of them getting punctured all the time.
Fergetaboutdit!
Most 65-75 GM fullsize cars have the tank under the trunk floor and you dont hear of them getting punctured all the time.
Fergetaboutdit!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Lost my spare earlier in the year when I changed my tank. I don't believe it will go back under there any time soon.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by OHSIXX
According to GM, the spare tire and carrier is suppose to protect you from damage resulting from a rear-end collision.
PS The al. wheel option came w/ a steel spare, though probably because it cost less.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
If it's the 78 in your profile, you probably still have the bladder inside the tank. That will probably do more to protect you from the gas in the tank than the spare tire would in the event of a collision.
I think the spare tire would provide some extra cushion in the event of a rear-end collision, but any protection from the fuel in the tank is probably incidental, if any.
I think the spare tire would provide some extra cushion in the event of a rear-end collision, but any protection from the fuel in the tank is probably incidental, if any.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Maybe I'm just lucky but I've never needed to use a spare tire. Almost all leaks are slow ones so it usually happens when the car sits at home. One of those 12V compressors or Fix a Flat is the way to go.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
I know of a few guys that have put a sheet of diamond plate between the tank straps acting like a shield, and dock foam from a marine store for cushion behind the rear end. I wish someone made a poly tank/fuel cell that matched the OEM tank, otherwise the tanks with the bladders are available. I don't have the spare either, fixaflat, cell phone, and AAA will work...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington IL
Yeah, I'm not worried about a tire going flat. I wouldn't be able to change it anyway since i don't have the jack or lug wrench in the car. I was just wondering about the tank being exsposed and I think i'm going to leave it off. Thanks for all the input.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
No cellular phone, no radio/CB, no soup can, no fix-a-flat, no jack, no wrench, no compressor, no spare, no run-flats, no worries.
Did I mention I don't have brakes, either?
Did I mention I don't have brakes, either?
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: KS
Originally Posted by CGGorman
No cellular phone, no radio/CB, no soup can, no fix-a-flat, no jack, no wrench, no compressor, no spare, no run-flats, no worries.
Did I mention I don't have brakes, either?
Did I mention I don't have brakes, either?
Quit bragging!