My Full Size Spare In The TDi Hatch

rendrum · 30-03-2010, 12:05 PM

There has been a few threads on full size spares. We are about to leave Sydney and travel the Red Centre to Darwin, down the West Coast , and home across the Nullarbor. We will be towing a light weight caravan for 5 months and I wanted a full size spare. Sourced a "universal" alloy wheel with tyre from Bob Jane for $270. Ford quoted $600 plus for a matching alloy. The wheel sat in the well with 10 cms excess height. Using the floor mat as a template with a couple of mods a local foam shop cut a floor spacer in 10 cm high density foam for $140. Floor fits perfectly and is very firm. Couple of photos att.

Tony

MOND30 · 30-03-2010, 01:17 PM

Nice work Tony, very neat mate.

I'm wondering if the foam might also cut down a bit of road noise?

apstar · 30-03-2010, 04:23 PM

Tony

Can you please give me a model number of the Alloy wheel and the tyre brand and size appreciate it

apstar

rendrum · 30-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Apstar

Wheel is an Auscar Heist 17x7 5/108. Tyre is Toyo TASW 235/45VR17 97V. Do need to carry other nuts to tighten the Auscar wheel as the original nuts do not allow the muti hole Auscar to tighten satisfactorily.

Tony

NZ XR6 · 30-03-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rendrum

Apstar

Wheel is an Auscar Heist 17x7 5/108. Tyre is Toyo TASW 235/45VR17 97V. Do need to carry other nuts to tighten the Auscar wheel as the original nuts do not allow the muti hole Auscar to tighten satisfactorily.

Tony

That's a nice looking wheel for the money, apart from having too many holes! Well done, I'm sure you'll be much safer if you do need to use the spare.

apstar · 31-03-2010, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

That's a nice looking wheel for the money, apart from having too many holes! Well done, I'm sure you'll be much safer if you do need to use the spare.

thanks Tony

NZ XR6 well at least you don't need to travel at 80 km/h with a tyre at 60psi

apstar

MOND30 · 15-04-2010, 09:12 PM

Hi all

I've spotted a set of current Focus Zetec 17" rims for sale and I'm tempted to get them to do the full-size spare. As far as I can tell they will fit.

Just wondering of anyone else would be interested in buying a single rim to do the same? Would work out to about $100 each rim, collect from Adelaide or freight at your own cost.

Let me know asap by reply or PM.

Cheers
Brenton

mpsol · 23-04-2010, 12:38 PM

MOND30, did you end up getting these rims. If so I may be interested in taking one off your hands to use as a spare....

MOND30 · 23-04-2010, 03:06 PM

Hey mate, sent you a PM.

Anyone else, please let me know ASAP if you might be interested in a 17" Focus rim (5x108) to use as a full-size spare in you Mondy.

Cheers
Brenton

MOND30 · 23-04-2010, 03:51 PM

Sorry guys, missed out on these, but will keep an eye out for anything similar.

Brenton.

LRsedan · 23-04-2010, 04:44 PM

Mondo_Broady has a set of MB XR5 18"s he's looking to offload I think.

He has a topic on here and the Xr5 forums, might be worth looking into...

mpsol · 22-05-2010, 08:23 AM

I have taken the lead from RENDRUM and done the same. Purchased a Auscar Heist 17"x 7" universal alloy and tyre to suit from Bob Jane for $280. They threw in 5 longer wheel nuts to ensure a secure fit when needed. Got some high density foam cut to fit to use as floor spacer for $130 from a local supplier. Now I have a full size spare (well almost 17" not 18"), that I can use should the need arise.
I looked at several other options, but this proved the most econonmical and simplest.
Gone is that bloody space saver...

apstar · 22-05-2010, 03:22 PM

Wouldn't the foam compress with heavy load in the boot!!

apstar

rendrum · 22-05-2010, 05:41 PM

apstar

I am now in Darwin having towed my van up the red centre from Sydney. Boot is loaded with general camping gear including a heavy annex. The high density foam is as good as the day I fitted it. As a matter of interest the trip computer is showing 11.3 to 11.9 L to a 100 k's. Not bad towing a van weighing 1450kg and rolling along at 95.

Cheers

Tony

mpsol · 22-05-2010, 05:54 PM

As rendrum (Tony) said.
It is a high density foam base with the standard boot base on top. (Mine also has a rubber boot liner on top of that). The spare sits in the same spot (wheel well) as the space saver did and also adds to the support of the floor base.
You loose about 10cm in height, but the Mondeo has a huge load area anyway.

Have a safe trip rendrum, and enjoy Darwin. I live in Katherine and travel to Darwin every few weeks. You can see why I wanted to get rid of the space saver and get something more sound.

Cheers
Mark

apstar · 23-05-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rendrum

apstar

I am now in Darwin having towed my van up the red centre from Sydney. Boot is loaded with general camping gear including a heavy annex. The high density foam is as good as the day I fitted it. As a matter of interest the trip computer is showing 11.3 to 11.9 L to a 100 k's. Not bad towing a van weighing 1450kg and rolling along at 95.

Cheers

Tony

Thanks Tony lived in Kakadu for 25 years wished I had the Mondeo then have a great trip

apstar