Spare Tire Replacement Question

[BillyL]

After reading some recent postings on tires, I checked the spare in my '04 PCR Bird. As suspected,I found it to be the never used, original compact tire manufactured in July 2003. I want to replace it due to the age and visited my local tire dealer to ask about a replacement. He recommends putting a smaller regular car tire on the existing spare tire rim that can fit in the trunk's wheel well. Have anyone had any experience with this, if so what size tire did you use? I plan to take the car to him on Monday.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Both my Thunderbirds have their original "never used" spares. But when I travel out of town now days, I also keep a can of Fix-A-Flat in the trunk as well....just in case.

Heck, many new cars don't even have spares anymore.

[007Cruiser]

I just went to a 235/50/17 tire on a OEM rim. That is the largest size that fits in the well. If you do this the cover for the spare will not fit and you lose about two inches of height in the trunk. That’s not important to me and I’m making a new cover for my spare. If you want to use the original cover, make sure that your new setup is no taller than the compact spare.

BTW the wheel for the OEM spare is made of lightweight aluminum.

[vinnie]

Call this lady at Maxxis Canada, she'll take care of you. Jessie 905-789-0882 ext 214.

[Gobird]

As far as I know a regular tire will not fit on the wheel for the spare.

[007Cruiser]

As far as I know a regular tire will not fit on the wheel for the spare.

That’s what I thought too. The tire dealer may know different. Anxious to hear.

[sumoscooter]

Jessie had all the details for the spare I needed ( mine was an original spare tire from 2002 as well!) took my order and had the tire to me in 48 hours. Swapped tires on the spare rim and I was good to go!

[Rodeo Joe]

Call this lady at Maxxix Canada, she'll take care of you. Jessie 905-789-0882 ext 214.

Vince,

Is this good for any size spare or just Retro replacements?

Joe

[BLACK BEAUTY]

RETRO..keep it stock!

[11TH GEN]

[007Cruiser]

Exactly my thoughts.

[FEsTbird]

I am pretty sure I purchased my replacement Maxxis tire directly from Maxxis on the web. It was a pretty good price, about $150 if I remember correctly. I took it to Sunnyvale Ford who mounted it for me. They didn't charge much, since I had just had a full set of regular tires replaced.

[vinnie]

Vince,

Is this good for any size spare or just Retro replacements?

Joe

Joe, if Maxxis sells the size you need I'm sure she'll be glad to help you.

[Rondor]

As far as I know a regular tire will not fit on the wheel for the spare.

Right but the diameter if the spare has to be equal to the diameter of the other 4 wheels. So a smaller rim like other 4 wheels with a regular tire fits the hole except fir hieght, the width of regular tire and rim. Loosing the 2 inches in height is well worth it in most cases. One retro drawback is small trunk if you travel.

[wcoates]

Gene (and others) I have a 235/55 that I was going to use as a spare. Do I understand correctly that a mounted 235/55/17 will not fit in the spare tire well?