Spare Wheel

[octotree]

The spare that came with my ST is all rusted and I was shopping around for a spare ST wheel.

Found a few different results, most are around 300$, but a couple sites offer them at 144$ shipped.

What do ya think?

http://www.partsultimate.com/product/231687

[LONO100]

what part of the country do you live? i have a stock spare wheel that i could sell you if youre in northern cali.

[octotree]

Hah!

I'm in MN now, but I'll be in OR in a few months.

I want it for my haul to OR.

I think I'm going to take the AT's that came with the truck off and buy some CS Fuel max tires and might as well spring for a nice spare while I'm at it.

[octotree]

I thought these boards would have been filled with people doing the same thing. I was kinda hoping someone would reply with what they did in this situation.

I think I'll just pick up the one I linked to and hope for the best.

[GSU4x4]

I would help ya but I've never even really looked at my spare. probably wouldn't help me anyways since my new tires are larger that the stock size

[LONO100]

have you tried craigslist? there are a ton of off road enthusiasts and jeep guys that are constantly parting out old wheel/tires as spares. when i upgraded to 33"s i found a spare wheel/tire that was a 33" for my rig for 50 bucks. 5thats what i always see them going for in that size. try craigslist, or even your local tire shop for used ones.

[LONO100]

you should be able to find a spare stock wheel no problem on craigslist or your local tire shop for around 50 bucks or less. goodluck!

[swshawaii]

It would help to know what size you are looking for. Most stock Gen 1 ('01-'05) Sport
Trac's came with 16" wheels. The link you posted is an 18" rim. The space for the spare is
very limited under the ST. You would also benefit by listing details of your vehicle's profile.

[octotree]

I have an 07' v8 4x4. I think the wheels are 18". The ones on it are 255/60r/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers.

The tires I'm looking at: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....utoModClar=4wd

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm on CL all the time, but never thought I would find a stock wheel.

I thought I might as well add a picture of the ST.

[swshawaii]

The 2007 Sport Trac had three different wheel options (16-17-18), depending on the trim level.
The OP replacement sounds ideal. Mount it with the valve stem facing down for ease of cleaning
and checking the tire pressure. GL

[LONO100]

yup, whenever ppl get aftermarket wheels, they will often piece out their stockers as spares and even sell their original spares. tj wranglers, cherokees and a lot of other trucks have the same lug pattern as our X's so then its just up to find the right size wheel. good luck!

[octotree]

And here's one of the rusted out spare:



I thought it was going to dissolve into dust if I touched it, so I didn't bother even taking it off. I think the tire may still be usable, though? Looks like the original spare, it's a Michelin.

[swshawaii]

Highly recommend you inspect the tire winch and cable.
Too many horror stories of them failing at highway speeds.

[octotree]

Not sure how I would go about inspecting it. Looks rusted. I'm bringing it into the dealer today and I'll have them take a look.

Thanks

[swshawaii]

Just lower the spare and check for cable fraying or binding.
IIRC, the winch cable may be stainless. Can't ever be too safe.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=158103

[octotree]

What do you think?

[octotree]

I just took the spare off for now. I wouldn't have used it anyway. I don't think I would trust that wheel on a Geo metro, let alone a 4x4.

I had another quick question about that wheel I'm looking at: http://www.partsultimate.com/product/231687

Does the hub pop out, so I can hoist it up into my spare compartment?!

Thanks

[swshawaii]

Very good question, rims are different from the Gen 1.
If the center cap can be removed, make sure the cable
retainer end fits through. Looking at the pic, appears OK.

[JohnnyO]

It's just surface rust, I wouldn't worry about it. If you do want to worry about it, wash it, wire brush it, and hit it with some POR-15 paint. Wear gloves. If you get the stuff on your skin it takes about two weeks to wear off. I know this.
If the idea is to have a matching 5th tire and wheel to rotate in, I would try the hoist on one of your regular wheels first. I could be wrong, but the center hole on the aluminum wheels looks smaller to me than the one on the steel spare and the hoist-wheel-holder-thing might not fit.

[OffTrac]

I doubt that tire is still good. Tires have a timeframe of usefulness and 6 years is pushing it, IMO. I think the wheel is most likely still useful following Johnny's suggestions but I'd be afraid of using that tire.