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[6TTR3A]

 Does anyone know if mounting the spare radial tire on a 48 spoke wheel will make a difference in the fit into the spare tire compartment?    I'm running 60 spoke as called for (on my 3A), but in order to get the spare in its "house", I've always mounted a bias ply tire on my spare 60 spoke wheel. Any sidescreen owners out there running 48 spoke wheels?? Does that 1/2" reduction in rim size help with the fit?
FRank

[Chahles]

Frank,
I just put radials on my 48 spoke wheels. In the middle of a frame off, but I'll try to fit it into the compartment tomorrow. I'll get back to you tomorrow night.
Charlie Costa
The Boston Area
'57 TR3 small mouth

[Chahles]

Frank,
I just tried putting my "newly installed radial onto my 48 spoke" wheel into the spare tire compartment.
Nothing doing. It's almost an inch too wide to fit. Luckily, I have the original bias tire on the spare rim so there's no problem here.
Guess you'll have to find a bias for your spare.
Charlie Costa
'57 small mouth
The Boston Area

[dlolson1]

 

Frank,

     I have a 59 TR3 with steel wheels, and have the same problem as you, the radial on the rim at full pressure won't fit (neither did the bias ply tire.)  What worked for us was to drop the pressure in the spare until it will slide in the compartment and then lock it in place with the strap.  Before you take it on an outing, FIRST, go to one of the discount stores and get an electric air pump and a carry bag.  If you have strong arms and back to match, a manual pump will work.  The electric pump power leads can either be clamped on the battery posts or get an 12 volt accessory receptical and plug it in to that.  I also got a scissors jack (like the TR4 variety) and another carry bag.  This makes it easier to lift the car off the ground the flat tire fairy strike us on the road again.  (Since these precautions, I have not had to use either)  If you are showing your car in concours competition, you can just take the bags out of the boot and stow it with the cleaning supplies and other non-concours equipment you might have stowed there.
    I wish I would have had known about these items before the TRA in Branson.  The bias ply spare didn't fit well in the compartment either.  It was so low that it wouldn't support the car.  I don't know if any one else has used this approach, but I read about it in one of the sports car publications.  I'm for anything that will make my life easier maintaining my little British car.

[Gils TR]

I have a post TS 60000 car...with wires.
With the radials on it would not fit in
the slot...but when I took about half the
air out...BINGO...slid in.  Have done this
with 2 other TR3's locally...and it worked
for them too.
Good Luck
Gil Sissons

[Brooklands]

My spare tire is so flat it never would probably work anyway. I carry a AAA card in case of a flat tire.

[6TTR3A]

First of all, thanks to all for the replies & hints.
I did some research on my own & here's what I got:
At TS 1869 steel wheels went from 4" to 4 1/2". Wires stayed the same until the 60
spoke wires replaced the 48 spoke ones, then they went to 4 1/2" also. FINALLY when retooling came at TS 60000, the rear floor pan was redesigned to allow another 1/2" height in the spare tire well. Since it was 99% bias ply tires in those days, the problem was solved.
Now, of course, we're all running radials so the problem has returned. My 3A is post 60,000 with wires, so I DID find a 48 spoke, had it trued & painted, mounted my 165R15, inflated it to 25 lb and it fits----tight, but it fits.  I took a couple loose turns of nylon cord around the tire to use as a handle to get it back out.
Conclusion:
If you're running steel wheels (and you have a post 60,000) see if you can find a 4" Triumph wheel---I think it will allow you to store your radial fully inflated. For you PRE 60,000 owners, join AAA !!
FRank       

[59tr3a]

If you put a spare tire pan from a > ts 60000 onto a pre ts 60000 car will the 48 spoke wire fit? I checked with Moss technical support and they said the pan for the  ts 60000 and above was actually shorter in height by a hair and length wise 1" shorter to make room for the change in floor pan. It would seem the only way to make a radial  fit would be a modification of the original pan.

[Lou Metelko]

Could the answer be using a 155 tire as a spare?

Only reason for asking is my early 2 with 4 1/2" steel wheels and 155 tires will fit in the compartment (but just barely).

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana

[joe kumpel]

Guys,
Here's an idea that worked for me:
1. I found VW repair shop going out of biz.
2. bought 560-15 bias ply on old VW 5 lug rim for $25
3. sold rim for $10
4. paid for new tube,valve stem and mounting
5. spare looks decent and fits fine into the space.
With a few new spokes and fresh paint my spare is
now functional and Ok to look at.
Joe Kumpel