Next Mods - Spare Tire, Trunk Mat, Cargo Net, Rock Guards

[ChipG]

Next batch of early mods done. First was giving the car a bath, chilly weather or not. Feels much better having it clean! Now, some quick and easy upgrades! I got the AA spare tire complete kit and installed. Quite simple. I did not cut the felt from underneath the trunk floor, but instead took one of the cardboard circles used to ship the kit, trimmed it to size, and used that as insulation between the jack and tire well sheetmetal. The spacer (still in shipping foam) with center cap in the middle also fit underneath the spare and was wedged tight enough not to slide around.

Trunk floor sits nice and flat. Before I trimmed the cardboard, the tire sat on top of it and the trunk floor wouldn't sit flush, so it had to be trimmed to fit inside the wheel diameter.

Now for a nice trunk mat from Lloyd's. Seems like good quality and fit well.

Finally, I added a Ford cargo net so I have someplace for a couple of just-in-case items like a snow brush and the stock inflator. The jumper cables were a bit too big to fit in the net.

And finally, with the car clean, time to protect the side splitters - ZL1 rock guards installed.

Got to put a few miles on her this evening as well - almost done with the 1k mile break-in period.

More to come...

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[US HWY 666]

Next batch of early mods done. First was giving the car a bath, chilly weather or not. Feels much better having it clean! Now, some quick and easy upgrades! I got the AA spare tire complete kit and installed. Quite simple. I did not cut the felt from underneath the trunk floor, but instead took one of the cardboard circles used to ship the kit, trimmed it to size, and used that as insulation between the jack and tire well sheetmetal. The spacer (still in shipping foam) with center cap in the middle also fit underneath the spare and was wedged tight enough not to slide around.

Trunk floor sits nice and flat. Before I trimmed the cardboard, the tire sat on top of it and the trunk floor wouldn't sit flush, so it had to be trimmed to fit inside the wheel diameter.

Now for a nice trunk mat from Lloyd's. Seems like good quality and fit well.

Finally, I added a Ford cargo net so I have someplace for a couple of just-in-case items like a snow brush and the stock inflator. The jumper cables were a bit too big to fit in the net.

And finally, with the car clean, time to protect the side splitters - ZL1 rock guards installed.

Got to put a few miles on her this evening as well - almost done with the 1k mile break-in period.

More to come...

I have the AA Spare Tire Kit also, but have not figured out how I want to protect
the tire well yet.
Cardboard can be pretty abrasive if it moves or vibrates to any degree. Just
my 2 cents, but you might consider something softer.

 

[ChipG]

I have the AA Spare Tire Kit also, but have not figured out how I want to protect
the tire well yet.
Cardboard can be pretty abrasive if it moves or vibrates to any degree. Just
my 2 cents, but you might consider something softer.

Fair point. I didn't want to cut the felt from the trunk floor, perhaps I'll just pick up some on Amazon or from Michael's or something. My wife would love an excuse to go to Michael's.

 

[lenFeb]

This is my "spare tire" solution for this car:

 

[lenFeb]

I have rock guard zl1 addons on my since I purchase the car. It won't stay in place. I replaced 3M tape twice already. Also, small rocks are collecting behind rock guard. I'm not so thrill with them.

 

[BEERCHAMP]

Spare won't work for me, I put on 20" on , can't run a smaller spare that would fit in the trunk.

 

[ChipG]

I have rock guard zl1 addons on my since I purchase the car. It won't stay in place. I replaced 3M tape twice already. Also, small rocks are collecting behind rock guard. I'm not so thrill with them.

Did you put the clip on the top? I'll keep an eye and see how mine hold up.

 

[ChipG]

Spare won't work for me, I put on 20" on , can't run a smaller spare that would fit in the trunk.

Are you running bigger brakes? If no, as long as the spare will go over the brakes it shouldn't matter if the wheel is a different diameter than the others as long as overall tire diameter is close to the same.

 

[lenFeb]

Did you put the clip on the top? I'll keep an eye and see how mine hold up.

Yes, clip is on. I called zl1 Adonis regarding this. They send me a new set of rock guards and roll of 3M tape.

 

[BEERCHAMP]

Are you running bigger brakes? If no, as long as the spare will go over the brakes it shouldn't matter if the wheel is a different diameter than the others as long as overall tire diameter is close to the same.

Is your spare a 19"? How far car you drive with a 20" on one side and a 19" on the other.

 

[ChipG]

Is your spare a 19"? How far car you drive with a 20" on one side and a 19" on the other.

Yes, it is as that's the minimum to get over the front brakes. The wheel diameter doesn't make any difference if the tire diameter is the same. The tires on your 20s should have the same diameter as those on my 19s or on the drag pack 18s from Signature. The limit on how long you can drive on it would be about the tire. Certainly should allow time for a tire repair/replacement.

 

[Jeffsmith]

I installed the auto fanatic splash guards. They tape as well towards the top but the bond has been good so far. Good coverage as well. Haven’t had a rock chip since.

 

[Postal Bob]

Next batch of early mods done. First was giving the car a bath, chilly weather or not. Feels much better having it clean! Now, some quick and easy upgrades! I got the AA spare tire complete kit and installed. Quite simple. I did not cut the felt from underneath the trunk floor, but instead took one of the cardboard circles used to ship the kit, trimmed it to size, and used that as insulation between the jack and tire well sheetmetal. The spacer (still in shipping foam) with center cap in the middle also fit underneath the spare and was wedged tight enough not to slide around.


Now for a nice trunk mat from Lloyd's. Seems like good quality and fit well.

Was considering using the carboard circles too as cushioning. Along with getting the Lloyd's mats. What color did you go with? I was thinking getting Ebony for the inside mats, and the Dark Grey for the trunk, to match the lining along the inside fender walls.

 

[ChipG]

Was considering using the carboard circles too as cushioning. Along with getting the Lloyd's mats. What color did you go with? I was thinking getting Ebony for the inside mats, and the Dark Grey for the trunk, to match the lining along the inside fender walls.

This one is black. Got it through American Muscle and I don't believe there was a color option with this logo. It is certainly darker than the trunk lining.

 

[Postal Bob]

I have the AA Spare Tire Kit also, but have not figured out how I want to protect
the tire well yet.
Cardboard can be pretty abrasive if it moves or vibrates to any degree. Just
my 2 cents, but you might consider something softer.

So I took the OP's idea of using the carboard packing circle, and improved upon it. I cut it to size, and then glued some thin utility car carpeting to each side. You can also use felt I presume. But I had this leftover automotive carpeting, and used it.
I still have to cut out the center square when I put it in the car's trunk. But that'll be when the snow melts around here.

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