SPARE Tire 1985 MR2

Scarlett · 03-12-2009, 07:55 PM

Damsel in Distress! I'm trying to restore an MR2 w/ 40,000 mi for my friend who is in ill health. I need info about the donut spare. My tire guy is scratching his head, and I don't know nuthin' about birthin' no babies.

ebouwman · 03-12-2009, 09:39 PM

You can fit a full size in there. What are you trying to do though, is your spare tire leaking or something?

If that is the case, then sometimes you can pick one out of a junkyard car.

Pictures?

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 04:32 PM

Oh, thank you Mr. Green Frog ! It's just that the wheel frame on the spare is so much narrower than the frame on four regular tires ! Spare is not leaking; the car had been in storage for over 20 years so ALL tires rotted. We've got her running (only 40,000 mis on her), but she needs some windows and a little body work. I'll send the "after" pix. (I'm going to give it back to the original owner, so I'm trying hard not to fall in love with her.) FUN drive ! THANKS A MILLION.

muffinman · 03-13-2009, 04:42 PM

you can't fit a full size tire on the spare rim.

muffinman · 03-13-2009, 04:43 PM

if you want another donut just get one from a junk yard

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 05:31 PM

Yeah, yeah! I can eye-ball it and tell that a regular tire won't fit. BUT MY (rip-off?) tire guy tells me the donut is more expensive than the regular tires and I just bought four of those. WHHAAa-aaah !!

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 05:33 PM

I wouldn't know where to FIND a junk yard, and if I did I wouldn't know what to do when I got there. Thought someone might have the specs for the donut.

ebouwman · 03-13-2009, 06:02 PM

no, no, a full size won't fit on that spare tire rim, but a full size rim and tire will fit on there, that's what i meant.

If you're paying too much to replace that tire, it may be cheaper to buy a steel rim and mount a tire on it, if you're not worried about weight and storage capacity in the front that is.

The front trunk is built to accommodate the full size so that if you do have to use the spare, the rim and tire you pull off will fit in.

If i were doing that, then thats what i'd seriously consider doing, because for the most part you can't fit much of anything in the front trunk while the spare is in there anyways.

ebouwman · 03-13-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlett

I wouldn't know where to FIND a junk yard, and if I did I wouldn't know what to do when I got there. Thought someone might have the specs for the donut.

Check up in the yellow pages, and when you get there just ask one of the guys that works there, and they'll either have it sitting around in a warehouse type thing, or it'll be sitting with the car it came out of.

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 06:18 PM

Thanks Green Frog !! BUT is the rim standard? or will that be like trying to find a leprechaun? as you can see I'm trying to avoid a junk yard trip. My friend (who really owns this car and doesn't know I'm fixing it up to give back to him) is not in good health so I'm suddenly on a fast track to try to get this done. I lost my home in Gustav (still not back in) so the MR2 project has been on the back burner. I REALLY appreciate the expert help from the guys on this site! THANKS SO MUCH!

ebouwman · 03-13-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlett

BUT is the rim standard?

What do you mean?

If you go to that tire shop and ask for a steel rim for that car they'll usually pull up the dimensions on their computer.

As for getting a spare tire from the junkyard, don't worry about it, usually the people that work there are super helpful and will tell you exactly where to look, or will go grab it for you themselves.

You could also just give them a call ahead of time, you may even be able to find one for sale on this forum, i'll see if i can dig up a link.

EDIT:
This guy is parting out his entire car and may have one
FS: Parting out Red N/A 87 MR2 w/ T-tops.
Only thing is you'd probably have to ship it

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 07:13 PM

OK. I survived hurricane Gustav (tho my house didn't) so I CAN survive the junk yard !! Off I go. Thank you so much. Wish I could reciprocate to you guys in some way.

ebouwman · 03-13-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlett

Wish I could reciprocate to you guys in some way.

Post pictures

lol

You stayed in your house for a hurricane?

The worst i've survived is a bad thunderstorm, and thats not even remotely comparable

If i heard there was a hurricane coming i'd pack some clothes into my mr2 and'd be gone

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 07:30 PM

Well, it was NOT supposed to hit my part of the state. I'd NEVER sit one out. Four trees hit my house and water poured thru for days. Slept under the dining room table with scared dogs for 4 days. Front door wouldn't open. No elect! low on water / food. 90=degree weather. No elec! Crawled out a window, but 24 trees fell on the property and could not move a car. Roads covered with huge trees. They had to gut the house and I lost 80% of my furniture. STILL not back in, but it's all OK. Hope to be back home next month (just in time for hurricane season !)

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 07:31 PM

P.S. I'll take a few "before" pix of the MR2 this weekend. THEN I'll send the "after" ones. It'll be hard to say good-bye to the little girl.

ebouwman · 03-13-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlett

Well, it was NOT supposed to hit my part of the state. I'd NEVER sit one out. Four trees hit my house and water poured thru for days. Slept under the dining room table with scared dogs for 4 days. Front door wouldn't open. No elect! low on water / food. 90=degree weather. No elec! Crawled out a window, but 24 trees fell on the property and could not move a car. Roads covered with huge trees. They had to gut the house and I lost 80% of my furniture. STILL not back in, but it's all OK. Hope to be back home next month (just in time for hurricane season !)

Wow, that sounds ruff, i thankfully live nowhere near where any hurricanes or tornadoes hit, also there's usually no really big storms, hurray for central British Columbia!!

The place with the least interesting weather, and thats a good thing

Scarlett · 03-13-2009, 07:49 PM

Yeah, Mom Nature always wins. wattabitch.

muffinman · 03-16-2009, 10:07 AM

being from south Florida i've seen my fare share of hurricanes and had many close calls so i know what thats like

happy hunting at the junkyard and i too would love to see some pics

Scarlett · 03-16-2009, 11:17 AM

We should start a support group - Hurricane Phobic MR2 Owners! Hopefully I'll have a photo of me holding either a back-up rim or a donut spare after my maiden voyage into the world of junk yards !

muffinman · 03-16-2009, 11:26 AM

a donut should be easy to find , i know everytime i go to a junkyard there is tons of them. early Miatas where also 4x100

03-12-2009, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	SPARE Tire 1985 MR2 Damsel in Distress! I'm trying to restore an MR2 w/ 40,000 mi for my friend who is in ill health. I need info about the donut spare. My tire guy is scratching his head, and I don't know nuthin' about birthin' no babies.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-12-2009, 09:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC Posts: 1,600 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	You can fit a full size in there. What are you trying to do though, is your spare tire leaking or something? If that is the case, then sometimes you can pick one out of a junkyard car. Pictures?

03-13-2009, 04:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Oh, thank you Mr. Green Frog ! It's just that the wheel frame on the spare is so much narrower than the frame on four regular tires ! Spare is not leaking; the car had been in storage for over 20 years so ALL tires rotted. We've got her running (only 40,000 mis on her), but she needs some windows and a little body work. I'll send the "after" pix. (I'm going to give it back to the original owner, so I'm trying hard not to fall in love with her.) FUN drive ! THANKS A MILLION.

03-13-2009, 04:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
muffinman U-P-G-R-A-Y-E-D-D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 5,881 Thanks: 53 Thanked 283 Times in 272 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	you can't fit a full size tire on the spare rim.

03-13-2009, 04:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
muffinman U-P-G-R-A-Y-E-D-D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 5,881 Thanks: 53 Thanked 283 Times in 272 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	if you want another donut just get one from a junk yard

03-13-2009, 05:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Yeah, yeah! I can eye-ball it and tell that a regular tire won't fit. BUT MY (rip-off?) tire guy tells me the donut is more expensive than the regular tires and I just bought four of those. WHHAAa-aaah !!

03-13-2009, 05:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I wouldn't know where to FIND a junk yard, and if I did I wouldn't know what to do when I got there. Thought someone might have the specs for the donut.

03-13-2009, 06:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC Posts: 1,600 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	no, no, a full size won't fit on that spare tire rim, but a full size rim and tire will fit on there, that's what i meant. If you're paying too much to replace that tire, it may be cheaper to buy a steel rim and mount a tire on it, if you're not worried about weight and storage capacity in the front that is. The front trunk is built to accommodate the full size so that if you do have to use the spare, the rim and tire you pull off will fit in. If i were doing that, then thats what i'd seriously consider doing, because for the most part you can't fit much of anything in the front trunk while the spare is in there anyways.

03-13-2009, 06:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks Green Frog !! BUT is the rim standard? or will that be like trying to find a leprechaun? as you can see I'm trying to avoid a junk yard trip. My friend (who really owns this car and doesn't know I'm fixing it up to give back to him) is not in good health so I'm suddenly on a fast track to try to get this done. I lost my home in Gustav (still not back in) so the MR2 project has been on the back burner. I REALLY appreciate the expert help from the guys on this site! THANKS SO MUCH!

03-13-2009, 07:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	OK. I survived hurricane Gustav (tho my house didn't) so I CAN survive the junk yard !! Off I go. Thank you so much. Wish I could reciprocate to you guys in some way.

03-13-2009, 07:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Well, it was NOT supposed to hit my part of the state. I'd NEVER sit one out. Four trees hit my house and water poured thru for days. Slept under the dining room table with scared dogs for 4 days. Front door wouldn't open. No elect! low on water / food. 90=degree weather. No elec! Crawled out a window, but 24 trees fell on the property and could not move a car. Roads covered with huge trees. They had to gut the house and I lost 80% of my furniture. STILL not back in, but it's all OK. Hope to be back home next month (just in time for hurricane season !)

03-13-2009, 07:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	P.S. I'll take a few "before" pix of the MR2 this weekend. THEN I'll send the "after" ones. It'll be hard to say good-bye to the little girl.

03-13-2009, 07:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Yeah, Mom Nature always wins. wattabitch.

03-16-2009, 10:07 AM	#18 (permalink)
muffinman U-P-G-R-A-Y-E-D-D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 5,881 Thanks: 53 Thanked 283 Times in 272 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	being from south Florida i've seen my fare share of hurricanes and had many close calls so i know what thats like happy hunting at the junkyard and i too would love to see some pics

03-16-2009, 11:17 AM	#19 (permalink)
Scarlett No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 48 Thanks: 23 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	We should start a support group - Hurricane Phobic MR2 Owners! Hopefully I'll have a photo of me holding either a back-up rim or a donut spare after my maiden voyage into the world of junk yards !

03-16-2009, 11:26 AM	#20 (permalink)
muffinman U-P-G-R-A-Y-E-D-D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 5,881 Thanks: 53 Thanked 283 Times in 272 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	a donut should be easy to find , i know everytime i go to a junkyard there is tons of them. early Miatas where also 4x100