Moving battery from front to back on cmc speedster

You could lower the battery box 2-3" to give added clearance.  Some have built a mounting shelf in the front passenger's wheel well (in the nose).  The weight is really needed in the nose.

Would the tire being placed in the front be adequate for the weight needed in the front?

Do you know of any temporary spare wheel that would fit a  four bolt pattern 15” size?

The build manual says T125/TOD15 on a 4.5" rim.  There are also OEM 4" wide rims. If you have stock size gas tank the tire should fit with front just on rear of battery. A 135x15 tire may also fit.

That is why I am always relying on your answers . You provide me the answers I need.

Thank you for being my “Go to guru”

Renfrance

135 x 15 on a 4" 1/2  4 bolt VW rim, the spare lays horizontal on the battery and on the gas tank. I did one with a carpet cover.  Mounted the spare face down and bought a round plastic "Veggie tray" to store small bits in. Small scissor jack and lug socket were mounted out of the way in the engine bay behind the license plate area.

@Renfrance

Renfrance, for your visual reference (or Renfrance, see what I did there) here is a picture of the wheel & storage set-up @WOLFGANG and @Alan Merklin are talking about (4.5" wheel / 135 x 15 tire). This is the front trunk of my previous VS. The battery tray & battery is still in the nose of the trunk/hood. Hope you find this helpful.

Click on pic to enlarge.

Alan, between you and Wolfgang it looks like I have my solution at hand.

Thank you ,

Renfrance

Alan, any resource in locating a carpet to place down first?

Musbjim

The photo of your setup is exactly what I want to do.

Thank you,

Renfrance

VM has frunk carpet kit - $315.

Thank you. I will check it out.

Renfrance

I especially appreciate the weather sealing system, well done!

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Here's another view of the setup Jim has. I eventually flipped the wheel over, too, to use the space for tools and spares, but this is how VS used to do the installation.

Like everyone has said, it's a 135/15 on a 4.5" rim. It just fits (the frunk lid contacts the tire a little).

VS may have mounted the tire back a little to allow access to the battery terminals underneath, but any farther forward, and I don't think you could close the lid.

The carpet at the front lies directly on top of the battery (a cardboard or masonite panel in between is probably a good idea.)

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Mitch, thank you for the photo. It is a clean way to mount the spare. I assume you made the clamp that holds the wheel in place.

Renfrance

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The clamp was part of the VS spare kit option.

With the wheel flipped over, you just use a shorter bolt and a wingnut.

I then found a round, plastic cake box at Target that just fit inside the wheel to hold tools and spares (like Jim's photo).

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What company are you referring too with “vs”?

Vintage Motorcars of California (or Vintage Speedsters)

https://www.vintagemotorcarsinc.com

Thank you

My spare is a 125/70 15. This size and my little battery allow it to fit further forward.

The 4.5" rim is wider than the tire and contacts the fiberglass below.  I installed two rubber pads to protect the fiberglass.

I installed a couple of chrome footmans loops and then built a leather strap for more of a period correct look.  My tire is an actual space saver installed on a 4.5" wheel. Works like a champ, with no battery access issues.

I have a 4.5" rim with a T125 tire - it fit my CMC before I went with the larger 12.6 gallon gas tank.  Now it's too tall in back.  I'll experiment with no battery or smaller one and probably sink battery down 3-4" by extending the battery well.

I have been happy with my small Odyssey battery.  Maybe that would work for you.  You possibly could mount it in front of the battery well.

Of course, you don't need a battery or a spare unless you are going to finish building your car.

@Michael McKelvey posted:

I have been happy with my small Odyssey battery.  Maybe that would work for you.  You possibly could mount it in front of the battery well.

Of course, you don't need a battery or a spare unless you are going to finish building your car.

Any fuel tank will do as well. No need for a large one LOL!

@Michael McKelvey posted:

Of course, you don't need a battery or a spare unless you are going to finish building your car.

Ouch.

Like I told my brother when he was obsessing over tired for his X-19: You don’t need new tired for a car that doesn’t run.