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TR2/3/3A Spare Tire for TR3

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Editor_Reid

Editor_Reid

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I have a small-mouth TR3 built in January 1957. It came with wire wheels, and still has wire wheels, although not the originals. In any case, I need a spare tire.

The spare tire it came with basically would not fit in the spare tire compartment without letting the air out of it, defeating the purpose. I thought about leaving it flat and carrying a couple of cans of Fix-a-Flat to inflate the spare if needed, but overall I'd be more comfortable having a spare that is ready to go.

Recommendations please.
 
I think that the spare wheel slot on the early cars were very narrow I think a 145 or 155 section tyre on a steel wheel.
I’d get an electric pump out of a modern car- the ones that don’t carry spares. They are available on eBay and rig up a couple of crocodile clips for the battery.
 
You must have one of the earlier wheels that are 4.5" wide, vs the newer wheels at 5". Then, the tire must be a 135 width maximum. That combination with slip right in and out! I do recommend laying a strap in with it to pull to more easily grip the tire for removing.
 
I had 5" wheels on my TR3 with 175 width tires. I just got a 4.5" spare wheel with a narrower tire and put it in the tray for emergencies. I figured it was the TR equivalent to the donut spare on a modern car.
In many years of TR3 driving I never needed to use the spare, but I liked knowing I didn't need to have a pump with me to get a deflated 175 width tire up to pressure if I needed the spare.
 
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