Spare tire eliminator
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 7
From: Ft Wayne IN
Spare tire eliminator
Does anyone have a pic of what one of these look like or spec. to build one? I assume they are for rear impact protection? Any help would be appreciated thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
I removed my carrier for weight reduction but seriously need to put it back even if the thing is filled with plywood, kevlar or plastic instead of the 50 lbs tire. Something to prevent road debris from being flipped up into the tank.
My intent was weight and to show off my sterile rear end...
I am a little OCD about keeping the aluminum shiney and the rest of the underside clean...so the missing carrier allows the car behind me to see how nice my underside is...
But, there are too many rods and shafts back there to have a bare tank bottom exposed... A flat panel thats not as deep would do the same trick.
A good project would be building a "guard" out of fiber-glass. Take the carrier dimensions, make a rough shape mold, line that with tin or foil over a wooden form and start laying fiber-glass cloth on it. Build until you get your shape, sand/grind down the excess glass and paint it. Then sell the idea on "Shark-Tank" and send me a 5% roylity for life.
Last edited by leesvet; Apr 9, 2011 at 01:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The last years of C4's that had runflat tires as an option, got an H-shaped aluminum spacer that replaced the spare and carrier. There was a pair of center bars that transferred the force from a hit and also protected the gas tank.
It wouldn't be too difficult to fab up a similar piece and it could be done in aluminum if you have access to a TIG welder or get a shop to build one (expensive).
The spare tire did provide protection from rear end collision forces. The spare sits at such an angle that forces from the rear crossmember are directed thru the spare tire toward the differential. The spare and carrier weighs about 30-35 lbs depending on whether or not the particular C4 year has the jack stowed in the tire or not.
I don't think I would fill the fiberglass tire carrier with anything that could bend or shatter. If any part of that material would be pushed upwards, the gas tank will take a hit.
It wouldn't be too difficult to fab up a similar piece and it could be done in aluminum if you have access to a TIG welder or get a shop to build one (expensive).
The spare tire did provide protection from rear end collision forces. The spare sits at such an angle that forces from the rear crossmember are directed thru the spare tire toward the differential. The spare and carrier weighs about 30-35 lbs depending on whether or not the particular C4 year has the jack stowed in the tire or not.
I don't think I would fill the fiberglass tire carrier with anything that could bend or shatter. If any part of that material would be pushed upwards, the gas tank will take a hit.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 7
From: Ft Wayne IN
Thanks for the pic's. I take it you would have to cut these off if you ever need to drop the gas tank.
If someone out there has made one and has measurments or schematics that would be great. Thanks for all the help I will attempt to fabricat one it looks fairly straight forward.
If someone out there has made one and has measurments or schematics that would be great. Thanks for all the help I will attempt to fabricat one it looks fairly straight forward.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,204
Likes: 4
From: Midland Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06
Thanks for the pic's. I take it you would have to cut these off if you ever need to drop the gas tank.
If someone out there has made one and has measurments or schematics that would be great. Thanks for all the help I will attempt to fabricat one it looks fairly straight forward.
If someone out there has made one and has measurments or schematics that would be great. Thanks for all the help I will attempt to fabricat one it looks fairly straight forward.
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