Spare Tire

The challenge is the front and rear tires have a different diameter, and so if you put a front tire on the rear, then you will be running your two rear wheels at different rotational speeds.

The conventional wisdom here will say (and I’m not disputing it - I have no way to know) that this condition will put significant wear on the “limited slip” components in your ZF.

IIRC, it has been said that this can cause damage in less than 50 miles!

So that is a challenge to consider if you find an appropriate sized “space-saver spare”….  Maybe you want to see if you can match the REAR tire diameter, and then make sure it’s real skinny, in case you have to use it up front (don’t make any hard turns).

Rocky

PS…. I’m interested in other responses you will undoubtedly get on this subject!

won't another challange be "where to carry"

also, wouldn't a spare 8" (rear) campy make it a given to match the rear tire diameter while allowing a "get by" for the front

What tires are you running to know the difference in height between front and rear?

Why use the space saver wheel? I'd just get a modern skinny space saver spare of the correct overall height and 5x4.5 bolt pattern. It doesn't even need to be 15" dia. as long as the total height matches.

And, I drive my Pantera more than average (2,500 mile trips) and have never seen the need to carry a spare. Yes, I have had a flat and still don't carry a spare!

Do you know of a modern skinny tire with a 26.5 diameter and a 5x4.5 bolt pattern?

... that also fits the Pantera hub.

LoL, just wait a minute while I do that Google search for you.......

A 155/80-17 tire is 26.7" a 145/80-17 26.1", looks like a 2015-19 Subaru Outback legacy uses a 17x4 rim with a 155/80 tire and 5x4.5 bolt pattern. But there are Fords that come with a 17x4 compact spare rim, just buy and mount a 155/80 tire on one.

Great. All we need to do now is match hub bores. Anyone know its diameter on the Pantera, preferably in millimeters?

Measuring by hand, I'm getting the Pantera hub bore at 71mm, plus or minus. The hub bore of the 17x4 Ford spare tire mentioned by Joules appears to be 63.4 mm.

BTW, that 17 x 4 rim is for the Ford Escape.

LATE BREAKING NEWS. The 2005 to 2011 Mustang came with a 17x4 compact spare and its hub bore diameter is 70.5mm! I've ordered one and will provide more details when I receive it for those interested in having a spare onboard.