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Thread: '83 Spare tire

  1. #1

    Default '83 Spare tire

    Hi all,

    Our '83 Mustang still has the original "temporary" spare tire in the trunk wheel well. Never been on the car-never used. It is a B78/14 tire.

    I would like to replace it with something new, and would prefer to have a regular tire. The tire shops are having a hard time finding a tire that will fit in the trunk well. I think it has a 5.5 - 6 inch wide rim.

    So, what are you guys using for a spare tire?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    Most just leave the stock spare in the trunk. Most likely you will have to do some J/Y searching to find a wheel narrow enough to stay under the rear cover. You can look for the 93 Cobra spare tire which is aluminum and 15", but they are getting harder to come by.

    Here is one option. https://www.ebay.com/itm/37360951494...EAAOSw3QVgwWnJ

    Here is another option, but you will need a tire. https://www.ebay.com/itm/18449525101...kAAOSw5d5fjc4o

    Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
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  3. #3

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    I have the OEM rim (and tire). I just need to find a new tire.
    Last edited by 1carguy; 12-14-2021 at 10:28 AM.

  4. #4
    FEP Power Member 4-barrel Mike's Avatar
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    Modern equivalent of B78/14 appears to be 175-70/14. tirerack.com and others show several options.

    Mike

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by 4-barrel Mike View Post
    Modern equivalent of B78/14 appears to be 175-70/14. tirerack.com and others show several options.

    Mike
    Mike, Thanks for the reply.

    That tire is a little to fat (cross section). The wheel well is only 6.5 inches deep. But you got me thinking of different tire options. I think a 165/65 R14 or a 175/65 R 14 might work. Gotta check with discount tire & see what the cross section of those tires is.

    Thanks again, Dave

  6. #6
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    According to Etrailer.com this is the conversion.

    The modern equivalent of a B78-14 is a 175/75-14 or a 185/70-14

    175/75/14 converts to roughly 6 29/32" section width, 5 3/16" sidewall height, 24 11/32" overall diameter

    185/70/14 converts to roughly 7 5/16" section width, 5 1/8" sidewall height, 24 7/32" overall diameter

    Every tire manufacturer will vary from the above numbers slightly just nature of the beast.
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by 1carguy View Post
    Mike, Thanks for the reply.

    That tire is a little to fat (cross section). The wheel well is only 6.5 inches deep. But you got me thinking of different tire options. I think a 165/65 R14 or a 175/65 R 14 might work. Gotta check with discount tire & see what the cross section of those tires is.

    Thanks again, Dave
    Hello Dave, curious as to what you ended up doing here?

  8. #8
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    If you have a Trac-Loc or similar limited slip differential, both rear tires must be the same diameter, or the clutch material in the rear end will wear out very quickly. In this case if you get a flat rear tire, you may want to move a front tire to the rear and mount the spare on the front. If you're running different size tires front to rear, this isn't an option.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cokeologist View Post
    Hello Dave, curious as to what you ended up doing here?
    Hi Scott,

    I bought a 175/65 R14 Mohave tire from Discount tire. It sticks up a little above the OEM wheel well. but I used some little 1/2 inch pieces of wood under the OEM cardboard/plywood and we are good to go

  10. #10

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    This one caught me the other day... Remember if you upgrade to 5 lug, you need a new 5 lug spare...

  11. #11

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    On my 5 bolt conversion I bought a vision 17x4 1/2 wheel and use a Mickey Thompson S/R tire. I got caught out with a 50 mile/50 mph temp spare on a road trip and will never worry again about needing to go 100 miles on a spare at a reasonable hiway speed.
    Steve

    1983 Mustang GT
    Popular Hot Rodding Project Car '83/84

    1983 Capri 331 ci, TKO600

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