Wheels / Tires: Proper storage of spare tire & jack components 1955 Commander 16G8

[Craig]

After considerable research on the Google, I cannot find a single photographic record of the correct use of the 1954-55 4dr sedan trunk storage of spare tire and jack.

There is a large hook engaging the spare tire well, a tube/spur that looks like it would go thru a lug hole, wing nut maybe somethin else.
Engaging a lug hole seems PIA, maybe the "spur" is to engage the center hole?

Does the spare go in with white wall facing center?

Where do the jack components go? The jack stalk goes thru a bracket hole in the rear deck and into a bracket at the rear floor, where does the the base and lug wrench go?

[StudeRich]

The Lug Wrench lays on the floor between the Tire and the Trunk Wall.
Doesn't the Base fit between the Tire Tread and the end of the Tire Well, wedged in on it's taper?

I'll bet they came from the Factory just tossed on the Floor!
Isn't there a Tab with a Hole at the rear welded to the floor, to connect a Spring to the moving part of the jack to lock the Post and Lifting portion to the Floor?

[Craig]

one trunk from Volo sales




another

[StudeRich]

The First Pic is a really NICE trunk, but the Jack is not hooked into it's Holding Clip at the rear, and the Jack is Wrong, too long.
The Round Disc in the center of the spare was only used on C & K Models to Bolt the Spare down to the Floor.

The second Pic has the correct Clip to hold the Wheel, just not installed properly.

[Craig]

I worked today on installing a new SA gas tank and completed the task. This allowed me to assemble the trunk back to original.
The jack stalk was 2" too long to fit, so I cut 2" off the jack top and it fits the mount.
Bead blasted all the jack components and 2K Spraymax all pieces to shiny black.
Laid the original underlay felt 3 pieces back in, loose fit doesn't make sense, but that's how it was as received.
The one piece trunk mat was laid in and the jack mounted. When you crank the spare tire tight this snugs up the jack, the base was slid in at the rear tire, but I have a jack handle and hook that need an anti-rattle location.

[Craig]

There is a large storage area on the back side of the spare tire, inside the rim. My plan would be to buy or fab a rim shaped rigid/soft container that would drop in place to hold jack base and hook, then store the jack handle strapped to jack stalk with a wide rubber band.

[StudeRich]

There will not be any "Correct" storage location for the Bumper piece of that "Other Make" Jack. Stude. Jacks have that piece attached.

[IndStudenut]

That looks like an original trunk mat.... can you post a closeup of a section of it and describe what the material looks like? Is it a cloth or plastic kind of material? Does it look like a plastic cane type product? I hear it is not available any more but curious how difficult it is to recreate if possible....

[rockne10]

... can you post a closeup of a section of it and describe what the material looks like?

I believe what I have in my '53 is a modern equivalent woven from a synthetic material. The originals were an organic fiber.

[IndStudenut]

Rockne10 - Were there different colors based on the color of the car?..... I only ask because the one in Craig's car looks like a Tan tweed if you will with different colors of tan. Where yours has a red cast to it. just curious... is yours still available?

Rick

[Craig]

Here is a closeup of the trunk mat. It appears to me to a dull finish vinyl weave.


Different lighting