Does anyone know if there's a compact spare availble that would work for a 76 el C SS running 14" rallye wheels with radial TA s?

I'm also looking for opinions or experience on whether or not it's possible or practical to cut a larger opening into the smuggler's box from the cab in order to store the spare tire, jack, etc.. Would doing this create enough space for the spare? Also would it harm the structural integrity or strength of the body?

Any advice or opinions gratefully welcomed.

Thanks, Ric

Hey Ric, I'm not sure on the 76, but my 74 has a panel in the bed that can be removed to get into the smugglers compartment. You can go to my pics in the 4th gen section and you'll see what I'm talking about.
I don't believe a spare will fit back there, but you probably should double check on your ride.
I plan on utilizing this area for upgraded stereo equip......etc....... :)

Good luck.

Lee "Caveman49"

Thanks Lee, My 76 has the panel in the bed also, somebody did a pretty thorough job of sealing it off with what looks like roofing cement !! It's going to be a lot of fun trying to clean that off !

What I'm wondering about doing is cutting through the back of the cab all the way across the area where the driver's side storage compartment is located, that area must go into the smuggler's box area, right?

I want to open it from there over to the passenger side if there would be enough area there to store the spare tire and jack. I guess the best way to find out would be to open the panel in the bed and do some measuring first, I'm going to have to clean the tar off sooner or later anyway to get the bed in good shape. I was hoping maybe someone here had already tried the spare tire storage idea so I wouldn't be trying to reinvent the wheel, or in this case, a place to store the wheel. Thanks again Lee.

Ric

Hi, Ric-

I don't think I'd try that. I'm afraid you would damage the integrity of the vehicle and I don't think it would fit anyway (not deep enough). I bet Chevy would have put the spare there if it was a good idea. My car didn't come with a spare, so I went to the wrecking yard and bought a wheel and the smallest tire I could find that would fit the wheel (14"). I don't recall the size of the tire, but it is not much larger than a "space saver" spare (I'll check the size if you want to know). Also, I think the sealer you describe is the factory sealer and it is a b*tch to clean off.

Yeah, you're probably right about Chevy doing it if it made sense and hurting the structural strength of the body was my main concern. I was just hoping someone else had tried so I could see if it was a mistake before I tried it.

As for the sealer, I'm pretty sure someone did it themselves, it's spread all around the edges about 4" on the bed and the panel. It's half an inch thick in some spots and looks like it was spread with a broom. I can't imagine anyone buying it new with a mess like this in the bed. I'm sure it's going to be a bear to get off though. Thanks for your help, Ric

I have compact spare in the storage area. I had to remove the plastic insert for it to fit. Also realize that its ONLY for short distance use. 1- because the compact spare has a limited mileage/speed rating. 2 - Because I have a posi rear and the big difference in tire diamaeter will tear up the posi pretty quickly. I'm sure that the opening in your rear wall is at least as large as in my 72.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/rick/interior001.jpg

Thanks Rick, that's what wanted to know. Now I need to take the plate off in the bed and see if I should put any reinforcement on the cab wall if I cut a hole the same size on the passenger side, I'd like to keep the driver's side storage if I can. Also, I'd just want the compact spare for around town, I'd throw the full size in the bed for road trips. I appreciate the help and the photo. Ric

While I'm thinking about harebrained schemes, I was just reading a book on the history of Chevy pickups. Back in the '50s the Cameo had a storage compartment for the spare built into a fold down center section of the bumper ! Hmmmmm........ :-)

There you go, a little mini spare, cool. I would definitely pull up that back panel, yeah it'll be a bear, but that will let you see what you have back there.

Nice lookin setup Rick, what is the wattage on your system? Bet is sounds sweet.

I'd bet that there is no structural reason preventing you from cutting another access hole. At least some (if not all) of the 78 & up elkys have the double access. I'd visit a wrecking yard & see if they can remove a back wall for you. Or a half.
A lot of people open up the bed access panel and hinge it. I've got mine rhino lined and am trying to get up enough nerve to cut that access panel open. I could use the space for some electrical stuff. And for traveling I do take a real spare.

That's a sweet looking ride you got the Rick. Where is that at, looks like a BUFF as a backdrop? Nice!
I believe the biggest problem with that back panel is getting them NOT to leak, that's probably why Ric's is pasted with all the excess roofing cement.

Lee "Caveman49"

If you cut into the cab from the back box or visa vera its not going to effect the overall strength of the truck The strength in the 4th gens is still mostly in the frame. I wouldn't think that doing that with any of the eariler years would on them either. Up to the 4th generation of Elkys the frame was the strength it was the 5th generation that they decided to incorporate some of the structural pieces into the body more.

I don't think you'll be able to get a spare tire in it even if you cut the back open, but that remains to be seen. I've seen Elkys with hinges on the box like a piano hinge where the box is actually used. I've seen people that have cut holes in the back for speakers/stereo and some that has cut the whole wall out for stereo stuff. They looked alrigh to me and seemed to be ridgit enough.

Good luck.