Will a donut spare from a astro/safari van work as a spare?

[jesse977]

I dont have a spare for my 74 swb. I only drive it on weekends so i never really needed one. I noticed at the junkyard there are a bunch of spare donuts off astro and safari vans. Im thinking of using one of these as a spare. My truck is lowered 4 inches and im running 15x8 wheels. You guys think it will be ok to use these donuts as a spare? Just to get me Home in case of A flat. Thanks
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[v30crewcab]

pretty sure they are diff bolt pattern.

[Da88burban]

I know for sure the bolt pattern is the same because my old safari rims are on my 74' right now. I would think they would be ok as long as they do not rub.
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[77BBGMC]

I have one for a spare. Bolt pattern is the same but if I remember correctly it won't clear the rear drum. I've been watching Craigslist for a spacer to see if that would work if ever needed. Mine's not a dd, I really don't need a spare so it's not a big deal either way.
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[C-10 simplex]

Yes, and i've had to use it once (not a good story). But they work great for temp use:

i orginally wanted to try these spares because i thought i could fit it behind the seat. It will not fit. If you frequently haul heavy weights or tow alot, then you may want to consider a regular sized spare. Otherwise i think they work fine.




Here is the story with photos of the temp spare:

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...c,21374.0.html

[C-10 simplex]

p.S. i just read that it may not clear the drum?

Keep in mind that i have the 10 bolt rear axle and you guys with the 77 and 74 i think have a 12 bolt. So would that make a difference?

[Dion Hildebrandt]

I had one on my 1978 silverado, it seemed to fit fine. However I had a posi rear and I always figured if I needed to use it I would mount it on the front to avoid any issues with the posi traction, being different size and diameter to the regular wheels.

[RandyP]

Back in the 80/90's we used to get trucks in weekly that were theft recoveries. We had 4 complete sets of donuts, 2 sets for trucks and 2 sets for cars. If I remember from way back then, we used donuts from like the Caprice and Parisienne and they fit/cleared. I do seem to recall we had a couple of donuts that would only work for the front on trucks, or maybe it was only for the back. Something didn't clear from what I recall on a couple of the 5x5 donuts we had.

[1LowToy]

I'd also be interested. I have a hidden hitch that won't work with the standard spare tire rack. I did find a donor spare tire holder from an S10 that I'm fittin up which will move the tire forward and away from the hiddin hitch. With a 215/75 (original spare) there is every little distance from the differential cover. I'm not done yet but here's a pic.

[C-10 simplex]

That's another reason why i wanted to try these spares----because i have dual exhaust and apparently the stock spare tire carrier had to be removed. With this small temp spare i should be able to come up with something that will fit easy.


i don't know what kind of rear axle that is? But at the very least if you get a flat on the rear, you can always move a good tire from the front and then put the spare on the front.

[1LowToy]

Been a while since I've been under it but I think it's a 12 bolt and it has been moved back slightly due to the flip kit. The tire did fit but everything has not been welded in just yet. I'm taking the bed off to do that among other things like designing the rod to make the screw lift to work. I guess I could go to a 205/70 tire for a little more clearance. I'm just thowing ideas out since I have no money at the moment to throw at it.