Space Saver Spare tires

[iachella]

When space saver wheel/tires started coming out on production cars, I thought, "How cheap". These were mostly on economy cars as the premium cars still had full sized spares. The full sized spare was advertised as a plus. I always hated the idea of the space saver.

But now I don't feel that way. With all the application of aftermarket wheels, we won't want to spend much time on the steel spare. We'll probably head right for the tire repair shop if we get a puncture. Freeing up some weight and room in the trunk is looking like something I'd like to do.

For my GTV, I can look for a 4 lug Ford space tire, but for my Alfetta, with the 4x98 pattern, I'm looking for ideas. I've thought of getting the 4x100 rim and filing out the inside of the hole a mm or so and if the time came, I'd make sure to tighten the nuts down tight. I'm not sure that is a good idea though.

I could find a shop that could narrow the existing steel spare and put a skinny tire on it. There are shops that will widen steel wheels, so I suppose they could narrow them. Then get a 155 or 145 wide tire for it. Tires are limited. Maybe start with the Fiat rim?

I doubt many people have giving this much thought. I sometimes have odd ideas that nobody shares, so I anticipate many or most people would say, why bother? I'm looking for some constructive (and cheap) ideas. I know anything can be done for a price, but if that is too much I'd certainly abandon this idea for the Alfetta. I'm exploring it right now. Anyone?

[bianchi1]

i run a space saver in my spider, i think it was from an audi, i was trying to get overall diamter the same as my 205/50/16 set up.i can put some ttols and odds and ends in the extra space in the wheel well, so far never had to use it, but i do get the psi checked once every 2 months.

[gt601]

How about checking for one of the newer Fiats that use the 98 pattern. I bet you could get one for almost nothing from europe. Just a thought. Or find a steel X1-9 wheel. They are really skinny. I may have one in the garage I'll have to look. I think that I threw away most of my Fiat stuff.

Paul

[iachella]

I've thought of a Fiat wheel from older times but not the modern ones. Do they still use 4x98 on Fiats today? Are there space saver tires on current Fiats? Any European or Asian readers seeing this?

[JoeCab]

I agree, it does not make much sense to carry a full-sized steel wheel as a spare when you have alloy wheels, often in a different size than original.

One option is to get the space-saver spare, as discussed here.

Another option would be to get 5 of whatever alloy wheels you choose. This has the advantage of being insurance against catastrophic wheel damage. If the wheels are not replaceable, and you bend/crack one past the point where it can be repaired, you'll be left with a set of 3 unuseable wheels. If you have an identical spare, life can go on... The disadvantage of this approach is that wider alloys often will not sit flush with the trunk floor.

[iachella]

Quote:

The disadvantage of this approach is that wider alloys often will not sit flush with the trunk floor.