Spare Tire?
 

I'm getting to the paint stage for my 74 K5 build and need to figure out what to do about a spare tire. The Blazer originally had a swing away tire on the tailgate but I don't want to reuse it-it was hard on the tailgate and looks funky-I like a clean rear...I know the originals had spares mounted inside on the side but I'd hate to loose interior space for it. Anybody figured out another way? Do they make a smaller temporary spare for 4WD's? Or should I just not run a spare and carry a can of "never flat". Any great ideas out there? Thanks

Re: Spare Tire?
 

Front bumper, rear bumper, or inside. Have you looked at any of the aftermarket swing-away mounts? New units are likely much better made than what was available back then.

Re: Spare Tire?
 

You can find a factory or Hickman roof rack and strap it down on top.

Re: Spare Tire?
 

I have this same quandary about the spare. As I'm going to run ansoft top the roof isn't much of an option. I saw a k20 today parked on my way home from work with the spare mounted on the front grille. Going to check it out tomorrow.

Re: Spare Tire?
 

You could run the soft top, fab an outer cage and attach a roof rack to that. :)

Re: Spare Tire?
 

That seems like ALOT of extra work. As mine is a mall crawler / soccer mobile, unlikely to ever go more than 15 miles from home and HIGHLY unlikely to get more than a nail or screw puncture, i might opt for always carrying a can of tire sealant / inflator :)

Re: Spare Tire?
 

I carry a tire plug repair kit and a portable 12 volt compressor along. The tool that comes with the kit is usually junk so I bought a much better one but the plugs are fine.

Re: Spare Tire?
 

Thanks for the tip-Just ordered from Amazon.

Re: Spare Tire?
 

I have a Jeep that has the same quandary. I plan to use 4 chunks of heavy wall aluminum rectangular tube to raise the rear seat a couple/3 inches. Getting a tire of the same diameter as the others but skinny, and tucking it under the seat. My rear seat doesn't get used often. Hopefully the plugs work for you though.

Re: Spare Tire?
 

Optional factory front carrier. Cures the both the interior space problem, and the "not-wanting-to-hang-any-more-excessive-weight-off-the-back" problem, when you bolt a pop-up camper onto the truck.

https://assets.hemmings.com/story_im...0780-500-0.jpg

Re: Spare Tire?
 

AAA .. If you are never more than 15 miles from home that should be within the towing range if you need it. Plus if you get it then you can also use them for DMV transactions.