[Ratatude]

Ok maybe someone can help me out. I was told that mid 90's the awd had 18" donut spare. I have been searching with out any luck. What model and years did they have them? Thank you in advance for the help.

 

[markmitch]

I found one in a Buick road master in a pick n pull in Nor Cal. Many of the big GM cars had them, ie Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac. and even the Caprice/impala had them.

 

[AstroWill]

Why not step up to a full sized spare?

 

[Onthewater01]

Why not step up to a full sized spare?

I agree with AstroWill. Full size is the way to go. Nobody likes to be seen driving around on those space-saver donuts anyway. I think they make them stupid looking on purpose so you are embarrassed into getting your tire fixed faster!

 

[realityguy]

I have one here from my 1990 AWD...Ugly looking thing(want pictures?).I'm shifting to a full size to match the rest because I'm running one size smaller tires than the 215/75/R15s(*205s)..I don't know how that thing could match the size of any AWD tire that you would put on there... I guess the circumference must be the same or close.. as the stock 215s..
If you are around Seattle..I'll make you a heck of a deal!

Followup..Pics attached of the Astro 18" "temporary use" spare..I placed the tire/rim on top of my other 215 set(I can't use..cracks in the tires..on the alloy rims). and they appear to be really close to the same diameter/circumference..

 

[Sailing_Faith]

Another argument for upgrading to the full size spare is that the newest original donut spare is going on 20 years old. The rubber breaks down and can leave you stranded when you most need it.

 

[realityguy]

Actually..my spare is 32 years old(1990)! It is still holding air..but that's a good point.I was surprised when I took it down from the cable hoist..it was barely hung up there at somewhat of an angle on the short handle that goes through the center hole. I really don't want to even picture that falling off and bounding down a freeway!(Yikes!)..It might have been taken down once by someone.That had to have been before 1997,before I bought the van.One thing I noticed is that the handle on the cable hoist that holds it up there is barely longer then across the hole.I'm going to drill a couple holes in that handle that holds the tire and bolt at least a 6" long steel bar across that for more support,something that can't fall through the center hole of the rim..My cable looks greased and okay..something people might want to check on their spare tire holder under the van.Drop your tire,check the air pressure(high pressure!),look for any cracks in the tire,check for breaks on the cable or the handle coming loose,and grease the cable..
I know I didn't on that van since I bought it..

 

[AstroWill]

They still produce donut spare tires the last time I checked. I mean, I wouldn't spend the money on a new donut spare tire, would rather have a full sized spare, but replacing the tires are an option.

They seem to last a really long time though, probably because they sit under the van and aren't exposed to direct sunlight.

 

[realityguy]

I was at Pick-n-Pull around the corner from me today in Lynnwood,WA.One of the 18" temporary ones was sitting inside the back of a van there..I think a 99? one(the van..don't know about the spare but it probably came from that van...I passed.It looked a LOT better than mine.I picked up the tire I needed for a full size one with a rim I was searching for coming in the mail.I bought the rim off ebay.Perhaps you should look there for the temporary tire if you want one.I'm pretty sure I've seen them on ebay..may not be an "astro" one though.I would assume a lot of them are still under Astro Safari vans in wrecking yards..

 

[Ericglo]

I started a thread on changing out to a full size tire three years ago. I was real lucky that my tire blew out on me the day after a 700 mile trip from Atlanta back down to South Florida. It freaked me out so bad that I went and purchased a full size wheel. I replaced all of the tires as they were on there when I purchased it. I took the best and made it my spare. I can do that again when it is time to replace the current tires. A used end of life full size spare should be good for at least a thousand or two miles unless it is on the chords. I think the wheel cost me $40 or so and then whatever to mount the tire. Fits perfectly under the van.

They still produce donut spare tires the last time I checked. I mean, I wouldn't spend the money on a new donut spare tire, would rather have a full sized spare, but replacing the tires are an option.

They seem to last a really long time though, probably because they sit under the van and aren't exposed to direct sunlight.

I think tire rack says tires have a should be changed after ten or so years. A used tire shouldn't cost much for a replacement. That should be more than sufficient for a spare.