Freaking Brilliant Idea

Freaking Brilliant Idea

While I was up in Vancouver BC for the ABFM a guy opened his trunk and showed me his BRILLIANT idea. He had taken a 13" Space Saver spare tire then had it mounted on his stock Spridget rim. The amount of trunk space thus gained was remarkable to say the least. Along with the new Retro IVs, I bought some Sumitomo HTR 200s which I had mounted today, and at the same time picked up the same Space Saver Spare combo for my trunk. I think it literally takes up half the space of my old one.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

Spare tire? Who needs a spare tire? I like having lots of trunk space for other stuff, and a spare tire takes up practically all the useable room in my boot.

Really, I never carry a spare in my LBC. My tires are very good and I always have a top-notch tire puncture repair kit, 12 volt air compressor and all the tools needed to repair most flats.

If the tire is not repairable, I've got the best roadside tool of all: a cell phone!

This strange habit of not carrying spares probably comes from my motorcycle riding days. No spare tires for motorcycles, just carry a really good tire repair kit and GO.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

I don't carry a jack or lug wrench, just the tire. AAA can come and change it, but I don't want to half to be towed. After this last weekend's adventure though, I'm gonna start carrying the little air compressor when I travel far from home.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

I've been wanting to do the same but been too lazy to look for a 4X4" spacesaver.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

I think Randall, tr3driver, uses a space saver spare on a tr3 rim with his car.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

But all you need to find is an extra Spridget rim. Then talk to your tire guy who should have an old 13" space saver tire on a rim laying around his shop. Have 'em take the tire of it's rim and put it on your's. That's how it worked for me and the cost was $00.00

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

I can never be without my spares. I carry all kinds of stuff, just gives peace of mind to me. I like the Idea of a smaller tire. I think my spare is a 165/80/13.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

You'd save more room using the factory space saver rim with it. They sit really flat. An early 90's Toyota Corrolla one should work.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

Late 80's T Bird was 4X4" and ALUMINUM !!!

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

Almost all of the Ford 4 bolt wheels are 4 X 4.25".

- Doug

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

Doug, that's right. I don't know what I was thinking. I had a Datsun Z which are 4X4.25 and must have been thinking that. Thanks for pointing that out. Me brain don't work like it used to ( and I'm sure 72 hrs of pain killers didn't help either.)

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

Most 4 lug Datsun wheels are 4x114.3 or 4x4.5 in US measurements. 4x4.25 is ford stuff.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

Now that I've had a good 48hrs to get that crap out of my system, yep my Datsun was 4.5. I would have sworn all Ford four lugs were 4.5 like the earlier ones, but apparently I was wrong. I didn't realize the later ones were 4.25.


This is one reason why I hate taking pain meds, but when you gotta nail in yer foot you gotta do what you gotta do.

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

All of my English Fords (Anglia,Consul Capri,Corsair,Cortina,
Fiesta)had the same bolt pattern.

- Doug

Re: Freaking Brilliant Idea

I'm talking about American Ford early four lug patterns. Six cylinder Mustangs were 4X4 1/2" and the V8's were 5x4 1/2". I can't remember what Pinto and Mustang II was but I think they may have been smaller.

I'm really suprised to see that later on that they used a 4X4.25" pattern durring the same time the five lug was 4 1/2". Ford even used that 5X4 1/2" patten one year (only) on trucks ('81), all others were 5X5 1/2" IIRC ( same as 5 lug Willys jeeps).

Ford, Chysler and AMC were 5X4 1/2 forever on passenger cars, I'm suprised Ford went to a 4x 4.25 pattern. I wonder why? It doesn't make sense that a company that used five lugs on V8 cars would go to a smaller 4 lug pattern than the earlier six cylinder cars for it's V8 GT models. I never did understand why they had differnt steering set up for the early V8 cars either.

I never did pay attention to FWD domestic patterns, and I know almost nothing about English patterns other than MGB and Midget.

I read somewhere the Alpines were 4X4 1/2, but then again, I read the MGB was 4X4.25 and supposedly they use the same pattern. I know the B is 4 1/2", but don't know if the Alpine is the same. I guess it doesn't matter as I don't have either one.

I do need to put my spare back int the car but it's too hot to drive here now anyway.