Spare Tire....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 859
Likes: 7
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Spare Tire....
I'm in the middle of installing new bushings and rearend - I tried to lower the spare tire from the back, but the bolt is rusted and wont turn 
- I ended up taking out the bolts on the front to get the tire cover off and penetrating oil on the bolt to get it to turn..
The question is: I doubt I'll ever use the spare as I don't drive the car very much... I was thinking about just leaving the spare tire and the cover off - Is this a bad idea? or should I install the cover for protection of the fuel tank?
Thanks
- I ended up taking out the bolts on the front to get the tire cover off and penetrating oil on the bolt to get it to turn..The question is: I doubt I'll ever use the spare as I don't drive the car very much... I was thinking about just leaving the spare tire and the cover off - Is this a bad idea? or should I install the cover for protection of the fuel tank?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Well I removed the spare & jack to lose the extra weight and, when I did the poly sway bar bushings, I had to remove the carrier too and just left it off.
Some people will say the spare provides a measure of collistion protection but that's not an issue for me. I liked the stock look of having the carrier in place but now like the look with it gone.
Also, when I dropped the carrier I noticed a little corrosion on the fuel tank so sanded and painted it. Considering how high the fuel tank sits I don't think the carrier provides much if any protection for it.
Some people will say the spare provides a measure of collistion protection but that's not an issue for me. I liked the stock look of having the carrier in place but now like the look with it gone.
Also, when I dropped the carrier I noticed a little corrosion on the fuel tank so sanded and painted it. Considering how high the fuel tank sits I don't think the carrier provides much if any protection for it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by 65Z01
Well I removed the spare & jack to lose the extra weight and, when I did the poly sway bar bushings, I had to remove the carrier too and just left it off.
Some people will say the spare provides a measure of collistion protection but that's not an issue for me. I liked the stock look of having the carrier in place but now like the look with it gone.
Also, when I dropped the carrier I noticed a little corrosion on the fuel tank so sanded and painted it. Considering how high the fuel tank sits I don't think the carrier provides much if any protection for it.
Some people will say the spare provides a measure of collistion protection but that's not an issue for me. I liked the stock look of having the carrier in place but now like the look with it gone.
Also, when I dropped the carrier I noticed a little corrosion on the fuel tank so sanded and painted it. Considering how high the fuel tank sits I don't think the carrier provides much if any protection for it.
I have read all the doom and gloom posts about how important the spare is in the impact protection of a C4. Well today I put my spare tire and carrier back on the car (I need the room in the garage) and I noticed how low the tire is mounted was and how it really does not butt against anything solid at the back of the car. So I believe its usefulness is limited at best and just added weight at worst.
I know that Chevy made a spare tire delete bracket, however if I had the storage space that stuff would still be off of my car!
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Aug 21, 2005 at 10:11 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've seen 2 different late model C4s with the tire & carrier removed & the bat wing & rear suspension & exhaust pipes shined up and it looks really really 
. Not sure how you would keep it that way however unless it's a garage queen.
. Not sure how you would keep it that way however unless it's a garage queen.
