Spare Tire Full-Size Replacement Size?

[#007Tbirdsteve]

Confirming the size of the full-size tire that fits into the spare wheel compartment and still allows the cover to fit in place……is the size P205/55/17?

[2K2BIRD]

Yes, the 205/55-17 will fit on the spare rim and allow tge cover to sit flush. Since you'll likely never use it or if you do, it'll just be for awhile, buy the cheapest one you can find. Take it to a local independent tire guy and get it mounted.

Worked great the one time I had to use it.

20220729_071039.jpg

[007Cruiser]

Or you can go with the OEM 235/50-17 which will lift the cover. I’ve seen the cover replaced by plexiglass and then covered with Ford or James Bond decals. Either way gives a nice show appearance.

[merlot4]

And, for newer members who haven't viewed the great site: portholeauthority.com, here are 2 brief articles from there regarding both the spacesaver, and full sized tire in the well:

https://www.portholeauthority.com/th...SpareTire.html

https://www.portholeauthority.com/th...wheelwell.html

[JerriLampon]

Or you could make a new tire cover that fits flush allowing an OEM full size tire and rim to be used
https://www.thunderbirdnest.com/foru...l-modification

[#007Tbirdsteve]

Thanks to all who replied. Since we are taking the car to the VTCI convention in Grand Rapids this August, I wanted to make sure I had a good spare because my tires are about 7 years old….but look great with no dry rot apparent.

[007Cruiser]

Have a great trip. Wish I was going with you. Any extra room in the trunk?

[#007Tbirdsteve]

Gene, wish you could go also. Is your daughter enjoying your 007? Hope you’re feeling better.

[007Cruiser]

She’s living it up. Even found a nail color that matches the car.

[Brad]

Thanks to all who replied. Since we are taking the car to the VTCI convention in Grand Rapids this August, I wanted to make sure I had a good spare because my tires are about 7 years old….but look great with no dry rot apparent.

I'll see you there! (Unless I see you in Florida before that)

[JohnA]

Have a great trip. Wish I was going with you. Any extra room in the trunk?

Extra room in a retro-bird trunk? Not likely!

[jgoedd99]

I recently replaced the spare on my 2003 TBird as it was 22 years old. I went with the temporary spare made by Maxis in the same size as the original T185/60R17. I'm not a tire guy but every site i look at shows the rim width range for a P205/55R17 tire is 5.5 to 7.5 inches. 1010tires.com further defines rim width range as " Approved range of rim widths that a specific tire size can be installed on. Tires should NEVER be installed on widths outside this range." All capitals for the word "never" was their doing.

I have not measured the spare tire rim width on my 2003 TBird, but I see in a number of internet sites that the steel rim for the spare tire is 5 inches wide. The recommended rim width for the Maxis T185/60R17 is 4.5 - 5.0 inches. I do not think any tire company would honor their warranties or accept any responsibility for a tire used outside of it's recommended rim width.

[merlot4]

Just of of curiosity, I asked Tire Rack their opinion about mounting a P205 55R17 on the spacesaver rim. This is the response, which comes as no surprise:

Thanks for your inquiry!
unfortunately, we cannot guarantee it can be used safely or properly the size is smaller than what is recommended, and we do not show it will work.

While the change in tire size can obviously be done, IMHO, I don't think it would be any riskier than the Maxxis for the same limited number of miles, but I wouldn't want to exceed that. It would have been a lot better if a full sized spare had been planned in the first place, but it is what it is. I vote for a full sized rim and the covering being raised a bit as the safest.

[hippy_mailman]

I put a 205/55/r17 on a regular wheel, this did allow to make the tire a little wider on the side. it fits snugly in the well but I had to shave the nubs off of the underside of the cover it now fits flush . nice to not put 60 lbs pressure in it and it matches my aftermarket wheels. and no worries about the narrow rim, even if it isn't an issue.

can be seen in this post

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...05-55-17/page4

[#007Tbirdsteve]

Hi Keith, It doesn’t seem possible it has been 2 years since you joined us here in Sarasota for “Birds by the Bay”!
Did you use the rim that the Maxxis temporary space came on?
Steve