Suspension and Brakes Springs, shocks, coilovers, sways, braces, brakes, etc.

surprise with sc400 spare tire

Old 07-13-07, 06:26 PM
  #1  
over40driv
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
 
over40driv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default surprise with sc400 spare tire

I started to wonder about the fact that the sc400 spare tire is made out of steel. When I removed the spare from the trunk I realized it was a full size deep dish with full size goodyear tire. It weighed 45 lbs. then I noticed that the tire was soft, so I checked it and it had 3 lbs. of air in it. Not a good thing on a busy hot freeway. I added 30 lbs of air which changed the weight to 48 lbs. My question is I wonder what kind of a spare a Supra TT has? Lightweight I bet.
Old 07-13-07, 06:35 PM
  #2  
neurocity
Neu`roc´i`ty

iTrader: (17)
 
neurocity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 8,693
Received 73 Likes on 37 Posts
Default

They have a doughnut...I think they have a different gas tank and location...So they don't have the room...

Mines not a steel spare??? Its a five spoke just like the "rollers".
Old 07-13-07, 07:39 PM
  #3  
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
mitsuguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

mine is a steel spare as well... weighs a ton... I only put it in for highway trips...
Old 07-13-07, 08:23 PM
  #4  
over40driv
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
 
over40driv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

If there was a lightweight replacement, I would think mitsuguy would be on it.
Old 07-13-07, 08:39 PM
  #5  
JspecSC3
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (4)
 
JspecSC3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: N/A
Posts: 4,908
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I replaced the heavy steel one with a spare 15" turbine I have lying around in my garage.
Old 07-13-07, 08:51 PM
  #6  
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
mitsuguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by over40driv
If there was a lightweight replacement, I would think mitsuguy would be on it.
nothing easy or cheap for our cars without going to a donut... What would really be extremely small and work nicely would be the spare for a 300ZX.... they use the same bolt pattern as our cars, a larger hub bore (so it wouldn't be hubcentric, but it would fit), and they use a tire that compacts back into itself once the air is let out of it.... they are literally about 18-19" in diameter, uninflated, then you air it up and it becomes a true donut... when done, let the air out and it collapses back into tiny shape... but you need a can of compressed air or a portable air compressor to use it...
Old 07-14-07, 12:41 PM
  #7  
over40driv
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
 
over40driv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Yeah I would want the wheel to fit the hub, something around 20lbs. and aluminum, better yet magnesium.
Old 07-14-07, 01:46 PM
  #8  
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
mitsuguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by over40driv
Yeah I would want the wheel to fit the hub, something around 20lbs. and aluminum, better yet magnesium.
if you are wanting a small light spare that bad, just get the nissan one and get someone to build you a hub ring... good luck finding one, I just searched ebay and nothing on the spare tires...
Old 07-14-07, 02:04 PM
  #9  
over40driv
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
 
over40driv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Mitsuguy,what year 300zx. would be the right year?
Old 07-14-07, 02:08 PM
  #10  
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
mitsuguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by over40driv
Mitsuguy,what year 300zx. would be the right year?
90-96..... (just one thought though, not sure if it's just the two seaters or not though)

here's one for a Porsche on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Colla...QQcmdZViewItem

the only one that I can think of that's collapsible is the 300ZX for our cars due to the bolt pattern...

Last edited by mitsuguy; 07-14-07 at 02:27 PM.
Old 07-14-07, 02:33 PM
  #11  
over40driv
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
 
over40driv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Man I forgot about the whole collapsed and you have to air it up deal, like to mfind something more ready to bolt on in the case of a blowout.
Old 07-14-07, 03:14 PM
  #12  
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
mitsuguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

don't quote me on this, but I think 3000GT VR4's use a lightweight alloy donut for a spare... I just can't remember for sure...
Old 07-14-07, 04:47 PM
  #13  
Blizzy
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (-1)
 
Blizzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IN
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by over40driv
Yeah I would want the wheel to fit the hub, something around 20lbs. and aluminum, better yet magnesium.
Even cheap cast 16" wheels do not weigh much when aluminum. You mod list does not show big brakes, which means almost any 16 would work.

If I were you, I would note the size of the spare tire (mine is like a 205/60 I think) and find the minimum rim width that fits such a tire. Then, I would search for that, say 16x6" rim, at any number of wheel distributers online trying to find the cheapest wheel that is tolerably light. Most 16x6 wheels are under 20lbs. Once I found a wheel, I would run over to Walmart and get the tire swapped from your steel wheel to the alloy wheel for $5.

The spare tire -hopefully- will never see action, so I would not be concerned about looks or the quality of the mounting job which is why I suggest Walmart. They will get the tire on the wheel cheaper than anyone.

Hell, you may even be able to ebay a single used wheel for cheaper than buying a new one. Just a thought...


-------------------------
Edit: I have actually been considering a similar thing, although I was going to investigate the price of a steel spare for a 95-00 LS400 (to clear my brakes) from the dealer first. But, I just ran a search on the tirerack for wheels for the 2000 LS400 to see what I was working with: $84 for a 16" wheel that will clear the brakes and tip the scale at 18lbs. That is not a bad starting point.

Last edited by Blizzy; 07-14-07 at 04:52 PM.
Old 07-14-07, 08:36 PM
  #14  
BLK13X
Mortgage Slave
 
BLK13X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: NSW
Posts: 4,764
Received 20 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

17" yellow spacer saver ftw!
Old 07-15-07, 02:46 PM
  #15  
over40driv
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
 
over40driv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Where are you quoting that from?

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: surprise with sc400 spare tire



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:24 PM.