Hi:

Feeling my first driving is just around the corner, it makes me realize that I don't have a spare tire on my list of remaining items. I'm running 16 x 650s on the truck. My question is, could I run a smaller tire as a "get me home" doughnut kinda spare to save space? Say a 16 x 500? I'm thinking the smaller tire might be easier to stow behind the seat (gas tank moved to frame) or maybe even under the frame somewhere.

Thanks,

John

 

While you could probably get by with a smaller tire, why would you want to?

If it was me, I would source a rim (if you don't already have one), get a matching tire, and source the tire carrier and bolts/nuts, then install the spare under the bed in the rear where it is supposed to go.

There are several people who have, or can get you the proper carrier for a reasonable amount. If your hanging hardware is MIA, unfortunately the bolts are no longer available. However, they can be pretty easily fabricated, and there are still some dealerships that have the nuts in stock. The nut parts number is 51 1476-A.

 

What series is your truck, F1 or F2?

 

Assuming your avatar is your truck, it looks like an F-1. If your fuel tank hangs down low enough to obstruct the mounting of the spare I can see why moving it inside has merit. Also it might be easier to access from inside. The under frame hangers are a p.i.t.a. unless you use a modern crank up type. If you go with a smaller tire on the spare rim be aware that tires get shorter as they get narrower. Driving any distance like that wouldn't be real safe. If you can't fit a 6.50" in the space behind the seat, is carrying it in the bed out of the question? Stu

 

If you can't get it under the bed, fabricate a holder for the inside of the bed. Back in the 70s my spare hanger was missing so I held the spare in the bed against the inside of the bed with rubber bungie straps. It didn't hold it real tight but it worked and looked pretty cool.

 

I thought of using a "limp mode spare" behind the seat but opted for full size tire so that I could drive longer road trips with confidence.

I mounted mine in the front of the bed, with an after market spare tire holder, that is bolt in.




It works for me.

 

The smaller tire idea is great is theory and lousy in practice due the size issue that Stu mentioned. With the relocated fuel tank and dual exhaust set up on your truck, under frame isn't going to work either. I'm not optimistic that you'll have room behind the seat.

It would seem that you'll need to have some sort of bed mount or never leave the comforts of your road service coverage area.

 

Mounted mine flat in the bed and put a black vinyl spare tire cover off a Jeep over it. You could not even tell it was in there unless you walked by and looked in the bed. Since I had 5x4.5 in front (Volare) and 5x4.75 in the rear (Chevelle) I carried an adapter so I could put the spare on either end. There was room under the wheel to keep the adapter, an extra set of lug nuts, a lug wrench, and a bottle jack. Fortunately, I never had to use it but it was there mainly for peace of mind...

 

I had TWO flat tires on my recent journey to Kentucky. My tires were new, and before I left, I bragged that I hadn't changed a tire in 30 years. I was pretty sure I didn't need a spare. I found out, however, that there's a reason modern tires are tubeless, and back in the day people sometimes carried more than one spare on a long trip.

Jim

 

The tire in bed is what I was trying to avoid. Tom's setup looks very clean and that's likely how I'll go.

That will teach you to brag Jim! In a double flat situation, does anyone have an idea if fix-a-flat is reliable at all w/tubes? I can do some google searching on that later tonight but thought I'd ask.

Good memory FortyNiner! Turns out a bulky spare probably won't fit anywhere else. I haven't seen the seat mounted yet so couldn't even visualize this option. In the bed it goes. No hurry, the truck will have to stay near home for the first few months until I get the bugs worked out. Once I think about mounting a tire, it brings up the topic of mounting a box in the bed too...the scope never ends on these projects!

John

 

Just to be clear; I didn't have 2 flat tires at the same time. I had a flat--changed it--and had it fixed. Then, several days later another tire was going flat. For that tire, I was able to get to a tire store for a fix without breaking out my spare. In both cases, there were holes in the inner tubes. I'm thinking modern shops aren't so familiar with dealing with tires with tubes.

Jim

 

Likely pinched or twisted when originally installed ?

I think the trick used to be to slightly inflate the tube as the tire was being installed, and to check that the tube didn't get pinched in the rim.

 

I saw a older truck where they mounted a dummy spare behind the seat but they had to cope out the floor and recess the spare into it.

If you go the in bed route, drilling the holes into the front lip of the bed can be tricky. Watch you don't scruff the paint on the front panel.

The top of my mount anchors to the top of the front panel. I could take a couple pictures if you like to give you food for thought.

 

I have a spare in the beast but it is a sedan not a P/U. I also carry a seceond spare inter tube and a can of compressed air. It’s like suspenders and a belt. It’s not to hard to break down the tire and replace the tube if really needed. If you have tube tires it’s a good “just in case”

 

Did some research for you on inside bed spare mounts. They say LMC makes a mount for the side, but it's for a Chevy truck but it might be adaptable for our Ford trucks.
Here are two links where they discuss it.
1958-1959 fleetside tire bracket - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network
Spare Tire Mount - In Bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network