LordBritish

Do you folks that have non-stock wheels with a different diameter still drive around with the spare tire?

It seems that if you have non-stock size wheels that you should remove the spare tire - after all, it'll do no good and weighs quite a bit.

But what if you get a flat - what do u do then?

rocket88

how would it do no good? it might be ill handling, but better than driving around on a flat tire...

LordBritish

I was under the impression that the car would be almost uncontrollable with a different diameter wheel and it might also damage the car.

don_w

I removed mine permanently. It made no sense to keep it in the car. It is shorter than my rear tires, so I wouldn't want it back there to possibly mess up my differential. And it's a little taller than the fronts (and much narrower), so I suspect it wouldn't drive too well like that. Not to mention what the ABS might think about different sizes in the front.

Oh, and if I get a flat??? Call AAA or Ford Roadside Assistance.

LordBritish

Intresting. I'm not sure what that would do to the differential since the wheels will now be spinning at a different rate.

94tbird

Torrence got a flat with his 20" rims and we used the flat tire to get him home. of course drivability is compromized but you can still drive the car. jsut keep it around 55-60 and no sharp turns at high speeds and your fine. I know I know its difficult to drive slow and turn slow in these cars but it can be done.

Stoenr

Nothing has changed in 20 years to keep the car from driving safely on a smaller or larger spare tire. No aggressive driving or high speeds obviously, but short term its not going to cause a problem.

2 on the front for the strip might look cool :P

don_w

If you had 4.10s, a Detroit TrueTrac differential and Moser 31-spline axles, would you put that investment at risk to test your assumption that two different size tires are OK?

Stoenr

Well if your gonna go there then.........
but on a stock vehicle I would have no problems using one

don_w

How many cars here are still stock? hehe

Seriously, the original post was just asking whether or not some of us removed our spares. I'm one of those who have.

mikem

Spare?I havent seen that for over a Year.Wonder if its still in the shed

mustangspeeder

I took mine out too. I need to get rid of all the weight I can with my lowered car and Cervini exhaust to prevent scrapes...

Stoenr

You guys are making me want to take mine out. And I know the day I do that Ill get a flat!

NickDC123

wait ... are we saying that the spare you get from fmc is different if you ordered 16's, 17's, or 18's from the factory? if not, what's the issue for a short limp to the tire place?

don_w

Not talking about factory wheels/tires... just aftermarket, with a different dia.

nynvolt

I kept the same stock overall diameter, even though I have plus size rims, wider tires, lower profile. I had a flat and used the weenie spare, looked goofy but handled fine. I just took it easy and got it fixed asap.

traffic142

I am going to wrecker yards to find a ford that has a 18" spare that is totaled. No luck so far.

Tsbird1994

It may cost more... but i know alot of us who offroad buy wheels/tires in sets of 5. Maybe cause the sizes some guys run aren't even CLOSE to the stock size they need it (27" stock tire vs. the 35" mud terrains).

You could consider just buying a single cheap 18" (or whatever you're running) wheel and tire.

karman

If all tires are the same size:
Put the spare on the front always with a limited slip diff. If the flat is on the back put the spare on the front and front tire on the back.
Then, DRIVE SLOWLY.
If the rear tires are larger:
Put same diameter tires on rear (front to rear if need be).
Then, DRIVE SLOWLY.
If you blow 2 tires at once (I have done this before) call a flatbed.

FireFighterHill

whats the BIGGEST rims that will fit on a lowered mustang