Another spare tire carrier.

[Regulator1175]

I found a local shop that builds the spare tire carriers for the Explore conversion vans. They were able to use most of their design and add it to the receiver extension that I wanted. It still needs some work The receiver extension needs to be cut down about 3 inch's so it sits closer to the body. The vertical riser could loose an inch or two as well to get the tire a bit lower. Most importantly though, I need to add a couple of shims in the receiver, it has alot of wobble.

[fishsticks]

Well done!

I've found bolting the unit to the receiver works better than trying to monkey around with shims.

[HARDTRAILZ]

On my Suburban, I drilled and tapped up through the bottom of my hitch and used a bolt to tighten everything up. Just puts pressure on the slide in and rattles from my step dissappeared

[KE7WOX]

I believe you need a build thread, my friend.

[Trail X]

I like it!

Be careful with the LP mount though... with one mounting bar, it's going to bounce around a lot. Even with two mounting bars I've managed to scratch my paint pretty good in the area.

[KE7WOX]

I believe you need a build thread, my friend.

[fishsticks]

I believe you need a build thread, my friend.

I like it!

Be careful with the LP mount though... with one mounting bar, it's going to bounce around a lot. Even with two mounting bars I've managed to scratch my paint pretty good in the area.

I only have one... I've had to touch up the area under my bracket a bit. I have some foam backing on mine too.

[janesy86]

Looks good.

What did you guys use for the LP mount? Alluminum? I need to do this once I get my carrier on, this weekend.

[Regulator1175]

my LP mount is a 1" wide by 1/4" thick metal stock from Lowe's. I sprayed a couple coats of Hammer Finish Rustoleum at the same time I sprayed the tire carrier.

I used 1" rubber bumpers from Lowe's on the back of the bolts for the license plate. I also have the arm bent to hold pressure against the tailgate. So far everything is looking good.

As for the wobble, I have a grade 5 nut and bolt in the receiver , but it doesn't seem to help. I guess I could try a nut and bolt on either side of the receiver. There should be enough room to get a box wrench inside from the rear or the receiver.

As for the build thread, it will happen soon. I wanted to wait for a bit, and get some of the truck built before starting the thread. As some of you may know, I was sitting 9" from ground to frame less then 6 months ago. I had a pretty good idea of the kind of ridicule would ensue if I started my build thread then. It took some encouragement from a couple of friends to show me the light, and I am proud to say I don't drag on speed bumps anymore.

[fishsticks]

I guess I could try a nut and bolt on either side of the receiver. There should be enough room to get a box wrench inside from the rear or the receiver.

This right here is exactly what you need to do.

[Gordinho80]

I used (2) 1" aluminum slats from Lowes. 1" rubber bumper at end of each slat with them bent to put pressure against the tailgate. Holds very well, some rattle when closing the tailgate, nothing crazy. Images of my LP mount here... viewtopic.php?p=17284#p17284

I'm using (2) 1/2" Grade 8 bolts securing the assembly to the hitch. A bolt on each side prevents wobble. My carrier is VERY firm. I have room for 5/8" bolts, but I haven't found any that are 1" long. Shortest I've found is 3" in a 5/8" Grade 8. I like Grade 8 as any I have a shackle as part of my assemble, so if I need to be recovered or recover another vehicle, the bolts take some of the force.

[fishsticks]

I'm using (2) 1/2" Grade 8 bolts securing the assembly to the hitch. A bolt on each side prevents wobble. My carrier is VERY firm. I have room for 5/8" bolts, but I haven't found any that are 1" long. Shortest I've found is 3" in a 5/8" Grade 8. I like Grade 8 as any I have a shackle as part of my assemble, so if I need to be recovered or recover another vehicle, the bolts take some of the force.

My setup is the same. I have used my carrier as a recovery point multiple times without issue.

[Trail X]

I used (2) 1" aluminum slats from Lowes. 1" rubber bumper at end of each slat with them bent to put pressure against the tailgate. Holds very well, some rattle when closing the tailgate, nothing crazy. Images of my LP mount here... viewtopic.php?p=17284#p17284

Same. Still have some scratches...

[johnburgelin]

Awesome job on the tire carrier, every day I decide I need to upgrade a different thing, oh well another day another dollar.......one of these day's I'll run out of one or the other first. My guess is the latter

[Rob93]

Any side shots? I'd like to see how much it sticks out

[Regulator1175]

Any side shots? I'd like to see how much it sticks out

Keep in mind, as stated above, I have about 3 inch's of room to slide the receiver in further and drill a new hole. I plan on doing it, just ran out of time.

The shop that built this for me will produce them for $175 plus shipping.

[fishsticks]

Looks good.

You got room to mount a HiLift between the carrier and your tailgate.

[DJones]

I like the idea of placing the spare on the roof better. As for the license plate, can't it be mounted to the back side of the spare?

You painted the wheels and put on the factory tails since the last time I seen it.

Are you planning on going to Bundy Hill the first weekend of September?

[Regulator1175]

Looks good.

You got room to mount a HiLift between the carrier and your tailgate.

I do plan on adding the high lift jack on the spare tire carrier. In fact the jack is in my garage. I just don't need it now because I don't have any where on the truck to jack it up yet.

I originally walked in to the shop with your design in my hand. The plan changed a bit when they showed me they had most of what I was looking for done already.

I like the idea of placing the spare on the roof better. As for the license plate, can't it be mounted to the back side of the spare?

You painted the wheels and put on the factory tails since the last time I seen it.

Are you planning on going to Bundy Hill the first weekend of September?

I also got the body lift on.

The spare on the roof is just to heavy and cumbersome. It becomes a huge pain in the a** to get down should you need it. As far as putting the plate on the tire, it is do-able. However you then need to work about a light on it as well. That means running wiring for that light, potentially through the spare tire. What happens if you need to use that spare tire?

[glfredrick]

A lot of off-road guys have tried that desgn, but they've found that eventually the constant rocking just weakens and breaks welds. Most have now moved to a more stable system of one type or another.

Here are a couple I like that could be adapted to the TB platform (and pleae note, I'm posting these JUST for the pictures - no recommendation as to the vendor).

http://www.autoanything.com/jeep-tops/61A2884A0A0.aspx
http://www.overkilloffroad.net/productp ... 0light.JPG
http://www.overkilloffroad.net/productp ... er%201.JPG
http://www.overkilloffroad.net/warhamme ... C04108.JPG

This guy (seems to have some issues with delivery) has some good ideas about mounting snugly with a bolt down the center of the reciever tube that you may want to check out.