Off Roading Spare tire

[starring]

Where does every one mount there spare tire? I am trying to figure out what to do for a spare as the factory location is not big enough.

 

[rbattelle]

I've been looking for a good spot for over a year now. Right now my spare just sits in the bed, chained to a cargo hook.



I really want a swing-away unit but no one seems to make one... plus I'm not sure how to make one that won't interfere with a tail light.



-Ryan

 

[EBansberg]

how big of a spare can you fit in the stock location under the bed? Anyone know?

 

[Regcabguy]

I mounted a 255-85-16 on a aftermarket 16x8 rim. These are approx. same height(33") as your 285-75-16s. Fits snugly and works great for a spare. I used Dunlops, don't know about the other brands.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I don't get flats. I have no spare.

 

[Desert Proven]

I had a custom rear bumper built that holds the spare on a swing-away mount along with some other items.

 

[Desert Proven]

Here are the pics.

 

[VicR]

Marek- thats a great looking bumper set up!



-Vic

 

[Josparkz]

I have a swing out holder on my rear DOR bumper.

I have another spare mounted in the bed, since I put another fuel tank underneath.

 

[Regcabguy]

Marek, that's the best set-up I've ever seen. Who built it for you? Real bumpers that accomodate a real jack(hi-lift) and a matching spare.

 

[Desert Proven]

It was built by a local company up in Northern CA (www.4x4labs.com). I searched long and hard for what I wanted and finally found these guys. This bumper has been Baja tested and proven, and even has a built in tool box (we spent two weeks down there last fall and traveled about 450 miles of the Baja 1000 course). The swing arms are removable to allow for easy removal of my camper.



We've been talking about building some more of them if there is a market out there. These guys do great work and can ad all kinds of cool stuff.

 

[rbattelle]

Marek, that carrier setup is awesome, and it's exactly what I'd like, eventually. My only complaint is that it appears to offer no protection in a rear collision. I'd rather one with a bumper that sticks out beyond the plane of the spare tire an inch or 2.



-Ryan

 

[Clinton]

I made one very similar to Marek's with supplies ordered from 4x4iron.com. I don't have a picture handy, but same idea. If you wish to carry Wedco 20 liter fuel or water cans you'll have a tough time getting the bumper to come out beyond the plane of those. I put the tire carrier on the passenger side so it would never have to be swung out toward traffic (at least in North America). My Hi-lift is on the can carrier which only carrys two cans on the driver's side. I like Marek's four can carrier. I made a rack on the inside of the bed for the water cans where they are strapped down. If you can weld check out 4x4iron .

 

[Desert Proven]

Thanks for all of the compliments. We put a lot of time into the design of rear and the front bumpers. Honestly, protection in the rear was one of the least important items. We contemplated wrapping the bumper to offer side protection, but most of my off road travel is high speed and in the desert. My truck is pretty big for extreme rock crawling. Having said that, the rear bumper is 3/8 steel and has internal reinforcement. It also has 1 inch thick plates that secure it to the frame and protrude from the rear offering anchoring points and some protection. For the most part, the thought is that the vehicle behind me, unless it is one of you, is going to slide underneath. There is a downward slope to the back of the bumper that would assist this and also helps maintain approach/departure angles (assuming the trailer hitch is removed). There is always a trade off. The front is a different story and I pity the person, or animal that gets in the way.

 

[I-6DZL]

Very nice setup. Don't want to hijack the thread, but would you mind posting a pic of the front as well ???



Thanks

Curtis

 

[Regcabguy]

Very nice setup. Don't want to hijack the thread, but would you mind posting a pic of the front as well ???



Thanks

Curtis

D itto! Ditto!

 

[Desert Proven]

I created a new thread with more pics of the front and rear.