TrailBlazer Spare

inginear · March 26, 2002

They put a full-size spare and a matching wheel on the TrailBlazer, except that they painted the wheel black. OBTW the other four wheels are silver.

Does anyone know WHY they painted it black? The only reason I can think of is that 20% of the wheels have a cosmetic defect, so they paint 'em black! Anyone got a better answer?

chevy4x4trucks · March 26, 2002

One reason I can think of is perhaps rust protection. I know that the full size spares that hang under the trucks are much more likely to rust. We've got 96-97 chevy work truck here w/ black rims simply because it skipped out of the factory like that. There was some recall for the truck to go back in for some painted ones, but the guy driving it figured the wheels are 5 years old and have yet to rust, so why mess w/ them.

inginear · March 26, 2002

The TrailBlazer wheels are cast, maybe aluminum, probably plastic, so I don't think rust is an issue.

chevy4x4trucks · March 26, 2002

is the spare also cast aluminum or is it steel? I'm pretty sure (not 100%) that the truck all have the steel wheel spare tire. Sort of a cost saving thing.

deruch · March 27, 2002

is the spare also cast aluminum or is it steel? I'm pretty sure (not 100%) that the truck all have the steel wheel spare tire. Sort of a cost saving thing.

The spare tire is alluminum and mine seems to just have a little black on the inside part of the wheel, the outside is alluminum looking

pdqgp · April 3, 2002

The spare is just a plain Steel Rim. Not the same as what's mounted on the vehicles.

Tim

1999 GTP @ 13.689

2000 Alero "GT" @ 15.591

2002 Trailblazer LTZ @ 15.675

deruch · April 3, 2002

The spare is just a plain Steel Rim. Not the same as what's mounted on the vehicles.

hmmm, thats weird when I pulled mine off and looked at it, it sure looked like alluimuim(sp?). It was the same color as my regular wheels. The wheel wasnt exactly like the regular wheels but sure fooled me I will try and take a magnet out sometime and see if it sticks are not.

:idontgetit: (confused)...lol I'm that way a lot anyway

pdqgp · April 4, 2002

Here's a pic of the Spare off my LTZ. Sure ain't no aluminum rim like what it wears on all four corners. Not even close.

deruch · April 5, 2002

Here's a pic of the Spare off my LTZ. Sure ain't no aluminum rim like what it wears on all four corners. Not even close.

Thats really weird, mine looks nothing like that at all. I will try and take a pic of mine this weekend if it doesnt rain like they say

deruch · April 14, 2002

Here's a pic of the Spare off my LTZ. Sure ain't no aluminum rim like what it wears on all four corners. Not even close.

Sorry it took me so long to post pictures (been really busy lately. But here you go. As you can see mine looks nothing like yours and is diffently alliumiun. It is black though. Strange huh? :ehh:

inginear · April 14, 2002

Yours matches mine! But it doesn't match the other 4 on the vehicle as I orginially thought. :blush:

MountaineerTom · April 14, 2002

Here's what it says in the Trailblazer brochure about the spare.

LS, LT - Full-size, aluminum painted black, mounted under body. Standard

LTZ - Full-size, steel, mounted under body. Standard

It doesn't give any other options.

deruch · April 14, 2002

Here's what it says in the Trailblazer brochure about the spare.

LS, LT - Full-size, aluminum painted black, mounted under body. Standard

LTZ - Full-size, steel, mounted under body. Standard

It doesn't give any other options.

Duh, I looked at my window sticker, the manual, but never thought of looking at the brochure. Thank you sir for solving the mystery of the "Trailblazer spare tire".

Sequel to follow shortly "Trailblazer II - The return of the (jedi) spare"

flyana · November 6, 2002

This is sort of lame,,, but the salesman told me it was so you don't forget to get your tire fixed! which black does look crappy! I still think it's about the ole mighty dollar!

FLYANA

02EnvoySLT · November 9, 2002

Yeah, cost savings. Give the upsale versions the cheaper rim. Just like the cloth on the inner parts of the seat which are ALL leather except that part on the Envoy seats.

Gotta save those pennies!

It's always cool when everyone loves the interior and then comments, well, you won't mistake it for a Benz or Beemer, check out the cloth on the leather seats... GM.

LOLs