So I Got This Wacky Idea....

D

Dan Sarandrea (Phila)

Waitin' On Parts...
...:geek:while wondering how to put more sound insulation in the spare tire compartment.

As we all know the spare tire compartment was designed to fit a 145/80-13 tire which is what the original '72 X1/9 came with. And for later models with 195 spare tires it's barely deep enough to hold this factory supplied spare tire without the unsightly bulging cover panel or the problem of the cover panel flopping off due to bad velcro strips.

So stuffing more insulation in there would only make matters worse.

So I'm thinking:hmm:, what about one of those donut spare tires? They're pretty skinny so they might allow an extra layer of insulation without bulging out.

So I find this page http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Vehicle_Bolt_Pattern_Reference.cfm and I'm seeing that no other car uses a 4 x 98 bolt circle. But that's not a show stopper because I could use wobble bolts, like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/12mm-x-1-50-PCD...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

So now all I have to do is go thru the bolt pattern pages and pick one that close to what I would need.

I see that the 80-96 Honda Civic or any year Civic EX would be a good candidate, 4 x 100 bolt pattern, 12mm x 1.5 lugs, a 56.1 center hub.

Here it is on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Soooo, who's got access to a donut spare from a Civic? If you do, how about eyeballing how it might fit on the front and rear of an X? And how thick/deep is it? If it's not significantly skinnier than a normal spare, then there's not much point in this whole exercise!:nuts:
 
Just be sure to read the label on the mini spare! :geek:

You usually have to inflate them to 60 psi before driving, so you'll need a 12v tire pump. Then only for so many miles and at some lower-than normal speed.

I love that the spare is there, such piece of mind that if I have a tire problem that cannot be fixed with something in a spray can, I can change out the tire and drive normally.

I carry both, btw.
 
OK Dan... SLAP-SLAP-SLAP... Wake up...

HAHAHA...

One other thing I saw on a car of (an individual I no longer recognize...) was they added about a 1/2 strip of probably MDF to the back edge of the tire cover to set it off from the rear wall to give the tire more room. Then they recovered it with new vinyl, along with matching vinyl for the wall. (There was also some logo embossed in the cover... but you don't need ta go there.)

I believe that it did NOT interfere with the seat back either as it still cleared. Looked great!

I also agree with Greg and I carry both a spare AND a can of Fix-a-Flat! I think you have a great idea with the collapsable spare but I think you'd be happier spending your time and energy elsewhere.
 
There is a difference between the old "collapsible" spares and the current donuts.

The collapsibles were more or less standard sized but special tires that had flexible enough sidewalls that they could be stored airless and then inflated with provided air in a can when needed.

Like this one from Wiki on an AMX:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1970_AMC_AMX_390_go-package_spare-tire.jpg

Current donuts are always inflated and as Greg mentioned generally to a higher pressure to compensate for their smaller size. I think a donut has great potential because of how skinny it is.

I just gotta find the right one!
 
Me too Tony

Spare and a Fix-a-flat. I also carry a 12v pump when traveling, with an alligator clip adapter to hook right to the battery.

I was looking at this the other day too on the HF site:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97323

I still use the old fashioned (and reliable) tire plugging kits:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45183
but this new fancy-schmancy device looks a lot better for storing in the car. A lot cleaner for the hands as well. Of course, I know the old kit work. I just plugged the tire on my big van last week. Took 5 minutes right out on the curb.
 
I like the idea Dan

let us know if you find something suitable. I will take a look around as well.
 
Make sure you have the right lugs with you too!!

If you are running alloy wheels and then to mount a steel spare, you may need a set of the steel wheel lugs with you. So test fit your lugs with the spare before you get too comfy thinking you are prepared. Some of the alloy lugs are long enough to make contact with rotor when fully tightened through a steel wheel. I did this on a parts car once and couldn't figure out why the damn thing was so hard to move. :)
 
I did that once with some BBS wheels on my '75 Scirocco. Actually broke my rotors, new ones too. I was pissed. :censored:
 
my spare is the temporary one

hpim5061.jpg


And Jim is right I carry lug bolts for the spare
 
What I was considering,

was to take off the Temp> Spare tire of the civic and put in on an X rim. I didn't get around to checking the width of the Civic rim, but just went to eyeball it. It seems to be close to the right width. Has anyone done this ???
 
You are indeed obsessed... but I'm not one...

... to point fingers with this car.

I wonder if there are any 13 inch versions that can be mounted on our standard rim?

Going completely over the top... I once had some custom 16 inch wheels made for my 23 T Bucket and a specialist cut a Pontiac center section out of a 15 inch rim... actually 1/2 inch INTO the outer rim... then centered it in the 16 inch outer rim and welded it true with a robotic machine, circa 1967.

Another possibility???

Oh... my cost for the labor and the wheels back then was $34 dollars! HA!
 
HAHAHA! Great minds think alike... I have the same...

... HF repair kit only I don't keep them in my car. Maybe I should! The new one will probably become the SOTA soon... just like flat-screens... and instead of costing 5 bucks, costs 20 to do the same job with about the same effort.

The old kit sure has saved me lots of $ in doable repairs!
 
Hey Rick... a T125/80D13... is that what I read?

Do you have a resource or a maker? Looks like a perfect solution!
 
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