Hello all, NEW SSR owner with a few spare tire questions?
Hello all,
I am a new SSR owner, although I will not have the vehicle until next weekend. I live in Oklahoma and purchased a 2005 SSR Black with complete addon packages that come on the vehicle from Chevrolet from a gentleman in Houston, TX.. It has 8400 miles, one owner and appears to be in excellent condition. Window sticker price was $49,800. The Carfax report checks out perfectly. My son will be in Houston next week on business and he is going to inspect the car and if all goes well, he will drive it to Dallas and then to Oklahoma the following weekend. Please bare with me as I know many questions I will be asking have allready been covered and I appologize for this.
For example, the spare tire wheel issue. I have researched the forum and have several questions? First, what about using a plug kit and air compressor for flats? I understand if a tire shreds, that will be of no help. My question is will that work for flats caused by nails, etc.?
Second, I see many are using a few different wheels and tires for spares. I have read about the 17X7 Trailblazer wheel/tire combo and about the Tire Rack Granite 17X8 w/ 255/55-17 tire. Is either one any better than the other? I do not want to go out and buy a wheel and tire to find out they will not work. I am not a automotive mechanic.
Also, on the matter of the Trialblazer wheel. I know it should be 17X7. What year Trailblazer are we talking about and I assume it will be the 2WD model? I have looked on eBay and cannot find this wheel except for the Granite Alloy wheel above for $139. Can some one give me some ideas where to look?
Once again, thank you for any help and I have enjoyed the forum.
My SSR: 2005 SlingShot Yellow #14279 – Flamed Engine Cover – WindSupreSSR – Corvette Servo + a lot more!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirk Pitt
First, what about using a plug kit and air compressor for flats? I understand if a tire shreds, that will be of no help. My question is will that work for flats caused by nails, etc.?
The SSR comes with a flat kit mounted behind the driver's seat back. It contains a bottle of tire "snot" (as I call it) and a compressor. I also carry a plug kit.
Had a chance to use the air compressor for the 2006 maggie valley rally, i had the plug kit. The compressor is not a speed demon, but it works fine. I put the 17inch wheel and tire in Pandycats truck, in case she gets a flat. I took the information from this site about the tire and rim. A call to AAA or GM and they'll change it for her. The OD is between the front and rear tires of the SSR.
My SSR: '03 Smokin' Asphalt, Vin 1656 B-day 11/13/03, Slightly modified via bad influence hdflstf & TommyB
Welcome Dirk Pitt! Have you read about the spare that Blue Thunder installed at the tech session at Autodan's. Gotta' say, I think it turned out pretty neat... been thinking I might install one...
__________________ SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet #11012 born on 04 June 2004
The spare tire kit that LT SSR was referring to is made by Bernie, a forum member. Several fanatics have gone this direction and purchased his entire kit...you can PM for additional information.
Welcome aboard Dirk...have fun cruisin'..........................
My SSR: "Babe" '06 Pacific Blue/Chrome/6pd #22407, born 10/14/'05, and #21393, died 2/16/'07.
You can buy the Trailblazer rim online from eBay via Schram Auto Parts. You will want the 2003-2006 EXT steel full size spare rim. I made an offer and it was delivered to my door for $35.00. It looks to be in excellent condition, doesn't need to be painted. Same rim was $247.00 new from the dealer, and $147.00 used locally.
For a tire I used a 215/40/17, which is .2" taller than the recommended 205/40/17, but has a 1100 lbs. load capacity (XL=extra load). I will still have exhaust clearance. I purchased a new KDW2 to match my SSR's current tires, and so I can hopefully buy a Sears Roadside Warranty. I have used this warranty to both repair and replace both front tires.
I also bought Bernie's under-the-bed Spare Tire mounting kit. It is a professionally thought out design, with easy to understand instructions, and uses new factory GM parts. Bernie has kits available. I also upgraded the battery cable and post per other's recommendations.
I reason that my penchance for middle-of-the-desert/out-of-cell-phone-reception, coupled with the fact that my lowered truck requires a flatbed hauler, mandates that I be able to change my own tire. Even locally, a flat tire is a half-day ordeal.
On such a short time frame you might rely on the patch/pump kit that is included with the SSR, or purchase your spare tire parts differently than I did.
Many have never had to rely on the kit. Those that have used the kit find it adequate at best. I found it useless one time, and able to put air in my tire for three miles of driving before it was flat again. That was a long nights drive home!
I hope this helps. Happy Trails! and welcome to the club!
Welcome Dirk. Does your son need any assistance in checking out the SSR here in Houston? There are several Fanatics in the Houston area that know quite a bit about our SSRs. Let me know if I can be of assistance.
My SSR: '03 Smokin' Asphalt, Vin 1656 B-day 11/13/03, Slightly modified via bad influence hdflstf & TommyB
Quote:
Originally Posted by artsmart
The spare tire kit that LT SSR was referring to is made by Bernie, a forum member. Several fanatics have gone this direction and purchased his entire kit...you can PM for additional information.
Welcome aboard Dirk...have fun cruisin'..........................
Thanks... I couldn't find that for the life of me!
__________________ SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
I think I will start out with the plug kit and compressor. Also, think I will purchase one of those $39 jacks that come in the plastic case for storage from Sears so I will be able to jack car up and remove tire if needed to repair. Any thoughts on that appreciated.
The SSR was purchased on eBay motors. Some of you may have seen it advertized. I do not want to mention the man's name without his permission, but he was very straight forward on the phone and worked with my bank in every instance. My son is 28 and very mechanical having pulled the engine out of his 77 Vette and rebuilding it with the help of a friend who was a crew member on Shelly Howard's top fuel dragster until she was killed in Tulsa. At least I hope he knows something? You know how kids are today. He has been told not to give the seller the check until he is satisfied with the condition of the car. I did not still the car, I paid fair market value for it in excellent condition. I figured it was worth it if it is as advertized.
Thanks for the help and as I get more into the forum, I am sure I will get to know some of you better. Thanks again.
PS...And YES, I am a big fan of Clive Cussler. I use Dirk Pitt as my game name online.
My SSR: 03. Custom paint. Flowmaster 40, lake pipes, 4.56's, torque converter, Vette servo, Bosal tips.
Welcome (or should I say howdy) from San Antonio, Texas!!!!! Get ready for a lot of long hours in front of your moniter, & hopefully behind the wheel of your new hot rod!
Dirk-for some reason some SSR owners break into a cold sweat when they find out(initially)that the vehicle has no spare. OMG what will i do? Im 65,owned probably a dozen cars and trucks over the years and cant remember when i had a flat. Can I,will I?
anything is possible but I have good insurance with road service and a cell phone and if it happens ill call and have the SSR towed and repaired. Why go thru all the crap with buying a spare and trying to figure out where to put it when a call will do? I want the back area to be available for other things and trying to put a spare wheel and tire underneath is major surgery. Dont fall for the phobia that some here appear to have about the NEED for a 5th wheel and tire.
My SSR: 06 Aqua Blur, #158-23377, Born on 17 Feb.`06
Quote:
Originally Posted by burchtree11
Dirk-for some reason some SSR owners break into a cold sweat when they find out(initially)that the vehicle has no spare. OMG what will i do? Im 65,owned probably a dozen cars and trucks over the years and cant remember when i had a flat. Can I,will I?
anything is possible but I have good insurance with road service and a cell phone and if it happens ill call and have the SSR towed and repaired. Why go thru all the crap with buying a spare and trying to figure out where to put it when a call will do? I want the back area to be available for other things and trying to put a spare wheel and tire underneath is major surgery. Dont fall for the phobia that some here appear to have about the NEED for a 5th wheel and tire.
I`m with you burchtree11, but some of our number have pointed out that cell phones don`t work so well in parts of the country, namely the desert and some other remote spots. These folks have a valid point. Heck, right here in sunny south Florida there are remote areas that don`t support cell phones. I try to avoid those areas for other safety reasons as well.........Paul
Hello all, NEW SSR owner with a few spare tire questions?
SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
! 
Welcome Dirk!!!!
no wait that's Texas 
SANDY
"1 Badd Ride" #2231.
