TR2/3/3A Spare Tire TR3

[mgedit]

I know this has been addressed before, but wanted to share my experience with my early 56 TR3 and spare tire. After a bit of research aided greatly by input here, I sourced a Firestone 560 in size 145 R 15. Just had it mounted yesterday and pleased to report that it slides in easily in the "thin" spare tire compartment. Tire is not much wider than the stock rim. Thanks for everyone's input a few months ago. Cheers, Mike

 

[BillyB62]

Good info Mike and great pic's, thanks!

 

[mallard]

What size tire is on the other four, and what rims are you using?

 

[Geo Hahn]

...and where did you get the tire?

 

[mgedit]

Other four tires are on 5.5 X 15 alloy rims I bought from UK (Rimmers Brothers) as I could not find 4 other usable steel rims (of about 12 or so I had access to). Tires are Kumho Powerstar 758 (165/80 x 15). Pics on the TR3 website below. Those tires and rims won't fit in compartment, so would have to ride on occasional seat if I had a puncture.

The Firestone tire was bought from https://onlyoldiesgarage.com/ (https://onlyoldiesgarage.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16760&cat=251&page=1) but was shipped from Coker because onlyoldies did not have stock when I placed the order. Coker listing is https://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=145R15

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Cheers, Mike

 

[mrv8q]

Did you investigate sourcing the tire from Firestone directly? I may pop in to the local Firestone shop myself.....

 

[mgedit]

I had no luck trying to source any tires close to this size locally at all. That's why I resorted to an online vendor and had shipped to a US address while we were on holidays earlier in the year. Cheers, Mike

 

[luke44]

Let me know if you have any more questions. Cheers, Mike

Do you know when the change over from the "thin" spare tire compartment was made? And what size tire will fit the "non thin" compartment? Thanks in advance,

 

[TR3driver]

The body was redesigned at TS60,000, and the spare tire well enlarged slightly. "Enlarged" means it will take a 165 easily; I'm not sure about the larger sizes, but I'm guessing that a 175 will still be somewhere between extremely snug and impossible unless you deflate the tire.

Personally, I'm quite happy with the 135 "compact spare" that I found in NOS condition at a local junkyard. The only drawback (if you call it that) is that I have to carry a rolled up blanket to keep it from sliding around in the spare tire well. But the blanket is really handy for either roadside tech sessions or picnics, and both the blanket and tire only set me back about $25.

Only had to use it once, but I drove over an hour at 75+ mph with no problems. I was expecting handling to be squirrelly, but I couldn't even tell the difference beyond a very slight list to the side with the compact spare (IIRC, the other side was wearing a 195/60 at the time). Of course I didn't really push it to the limit on handling, either.

 

[mgedit]

I was not sure when compartment size changed. Good to have that answer. I was told that a 155 should fit in my car, but decided to go with the bit narrower 145 to be sure. I thought about the temp spare as well, but had little luck finding one. Cheers, Mike

 

[FordFiesta]

Vredestein 155 works easily, also had a recent other 155 - BFG? Goodyear? (don't remember for sure) that came from one of the vintage tire suppliers. It also fit, but not as well as the Vredestein, which slid right into the early/small spare wheel compartment. The non-Vrede one was also heavier by several pounds.

Also, for when a spare is a tight fit, the liberal use of talcum powder works wonders.

 

[martx-5]

I'm using a 165 for a spare in my post 60k body, and although snug, it does slide in and out without too much of a hassle. Forget about anything fatter.