Thread: Spare tire for the Hot Rod?

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What do you folks do for a spare tire? Right now I don't have one. Also don't carry a jack. I plan to solve the jack problem by picking up a scissor type jack from the wrecking yard. But what to do about a spare? I am planning to take some road trips this year and while our '53 Studebaker has a decent sized trunk, it is also nicely upholstered so I want to take care of the carpeting back there. My other problem is the front and rear tires are different sizes, and even different bolt patterns. I am carrying a flat tire fix in a can. I have some ideas on what will work, but would like to hear other suggestions.

thanks

Pat

Hi
I think that its Firestone that produce the tires called Nailguard.
if you have a flat you can roll at 80 km/h on the flat with those tires.
If you dont have so much money just buy a mid size tire and an adapter ...so youll be able to put the adaptor on and have onl 1 spare tire.

Pat, first thing I think I would do in your case would be to change out the front or rear rotors to a matching bolt pattern. If you have drum on the rear, then quess you would need to change out the front rotors to match. Also, if you have a traction lock rear axle you should be sure to keep the spare tire heigth the same as the rear tires you are running.

I've set my studebakers up all ford bolt pattern and have kept the rear tire height the same as stock tire (mainly to keep the stock wheel well filled as it would be with stock tire) Stock studebaker bolt pattern is same as ford bolt pattern and I just carry along a skinny stock bias ply for a spare on long trips in a bag. Bias ply do not mix well with radials and it isn't pretty, but will get you to the next stop if needed. I also carry a plug repair kit and a small 12 volt compressor.

i keep a spare tire , jack , lugwrench, and spare tools .........
IN MY TRAILER right in front of the car !!

oh this should start something , lol

Get a single cast aluminum swap meet wheel that fits the rear end and have someone like Streets drill the front wheel bolt pattern between the original holes. Then you just need one spare tire.
Kenny, you might want to rethink that setup before you hit the road. Handling and visability might be a problem. Or are you trying to become the cool dead guy?

Hey Kenny, glad you said it, now I don't have to!!! Tee Hee Hee. Hey Stu, I have AAA card. Don't leave home without it.

Thanks to the CHR brain trust for the ideas. Here's what I think I'll do. Going to get a mulitlug wheel (either make or buy) that has both patterns on it and find a tire that that matches the rear wheel diameter. That will work till I eventually am able to make the bolt patterns on the car match. I already have the AAA Plus card, but will get the scissor jack just in case. The plug kit is a good idea too. Between all that and my spare tire in a can, I should be ready. For road trips I'll bag the spare and pull it out and set it aside when I wanna show off the trunk. Kenny and Dave I'm not ready put it in a trailer yet, too much fun to drive it and enjoy all the thumbs ups!

Cruisin weather is coming!

Pat

Pat Ride that Studebaker with PRIDE !!

Another Studebaker afficionado here.

get one of those donuts spare tire rims, most have a multi lug pattern & the tires come in different hieghts . yea they mite not look great but at least it'll get ya down the road untill ya can get urs fixed & hell thats what i have used for the past 20+yrs in my rods & they work too ......joe

Pat I carry one of those small donuts spares with a small scissor jack. The back of my seat folds forward so theres enough room for both tire and jack.

I would suggest you contact Wheel Vintiques and get a small 14" multi bolt pattern wheel. Paint it your body color and stick a small tire on it. If you need to use it, use it. Drive slowly to a tire place and fix the flat. Your posi might not like it, but it will be ok as long as you don't drive forever on the spare. The dual bolt pattern solves any remachining work to your rotors or drums. The Wheel Vintique wheels are stout pieces too.
Hope it helps,
Jeff

Originally posted by Stu Cool
What do you folks do for a spare tire? Right now I don't have one. Also don't carry a jack. I plan to solve the jack problem by picking up a scissor type jack from the wrecking yard. But what to do about a spare? I am planning to take some road trips this year and while our '53 Studebaker has a decent sized trunk, it is also nicely upholstered so I want to take care of the carpeting back there. My other problem is the front and rear tires are different sizes, and even different bolt patterns. I am carrying a flat tire fix in a can. I have some ideas on what will work, but would like to hear other suggestions.

thanks

Pat

If I where you Pat, I would just take along a few of those Hooters girls Jeff always has hanging around his CE, then who cares if ya have a flat (tire that is).

Streets Any time,but I hear your pail doesn't get flats. I thought you were running those solid rubber tires. He,He,He,!

Hey Chebbie, mighty nice of ya to go cruizin with Streets. Now there will be somebody around to pick him up next time he falls out of it!!!! Tee Hee Hee.

Yea streets was pushed out alright. The tree branch just jumped in front of him and out he went .