Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

My knockoff of JD's amazing tire carrier.

Any special projects involving a decent amount of fab work (bumpers, sliders, roof racks, etc)

by fishsticks » Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:50 pm

James, I love your spare tire carrier, but I'm poor. So I looked at all of your pictures, took some measurements on my truck, guessed at a couple angles and came up with this.



Image

Image

Image



Made from a hitch extender, some box steel from an old engine stand, some 1/4" angle steel (the hinge), and grade 8 bolts.

It's got nowhere near the finish quality of James' piece, but it holds my spare and Hilift. I tried making a carrier that slid in and out the hitch originally. I knew within a day that I hated it, so Friday I spent my birthday in my driveway mocking up and welding this. It's pretty solid, only has about 1/8" of deflection.

Don't hate me for copying you James. At times I have inapropriate thoughts about your truck. :drool:


My welds are getting a lot better. Maybe next I can make a front bumper out of beer cans and some awning material. :shoot:



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by Philberto » Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:03 pm

I like it! Wish I could weld too, will have to learn and make one of these... I desperately need one.
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by MrSmithsTB » Sat Apr 24, 2010 10:30 pm

Outstanding. I do believe I would like something like that.
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by Trail X » Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:37 am

Very cool!

I like the license plate bracket too. Don't forget to wire up a light.
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by Gordinho80 » Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:02 am

Not bad at all! I really need to get a welder!
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by Regulator1175 » Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:58 pm

Very nice! Do you mind posting up some measurements? I would love to be able to duplicate this.
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by HARDTRAILZ » Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:19 pm

Nicely done.
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by djthumper » Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:36 pm

Looks great!! I hope it works out when you get a larger spare.
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by fishsticks » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:51 pm

Yeah, waiting on America's tire to get it in. 6x5 rims are hard to come by apparently. I feel a little lame with a stock spare on the back, but if I shred a tire, I need something round to put on the front.

Action shot from yesterday:

Image


I'll get some measurements too, rain has been nonstop since last night.
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by HARDTRAILZ » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:55 pm

fishsticks wrote:Yeah, waiting on America's tire to get it in. 6x5 rims are hard to come by apparently. I feel a little lame with a stock spare on the back, but if I shred a tire, I need something round to put on the front.


Good call. i gave my stock spare away, but always think that the times I dont keep a full-size that I should at least throw in a donut spare to get to a safe area.
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by fishsticks » Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:16 pm

Basic measurements.

Image


I'm considering cutting down the 9.5" section once my spare shows up. I'd like to try and get it a little closer to the truck but still be able to open the glass.


JD: What light fixture did you use on your license plate bracket?
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by Gordinho80 » Fri Apr 30, 2010 3:01 pm

I need a tire carrier....
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by janesy86 » Fri Apr 30, 2010 3:42 pm

Me too... Neil should be finishing mine up this weekend!

But Fishsticks, yours is very nice! Super kool that you made it yourself too, :fro: wish I had a welder and space to do it.
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by aaronrules » Fri May 07, 2010 6:45 am

This was the kinda thing I was thinking about trying to do, if the Nielage one doesn't work out. My father-in-law is a jack of all trades and he can weld..this looks like a good project for him to teach me on!
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by aaronrules » Fri May 07, 2010 9:15 pm

I'm wondering, how far down does the tire tilt down? Is it level with the ground? Or does it stop part of the way down? Does it rattle at all?
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by fishsticks » Fri May 07, 2010 10:35 pm

aaronrules wrote:I'm wondering, how far down does the tire tilt down? Is it level with the ground? Or does it stop part of the way down? Does it rattle at all?



Check the "Action Shot" a little ways up... That's how far down it tilts. It's enough to raise the tailgate and slide in there to get at things.

Like JDs, it attaches to my hitch with grade 8 bolts/nuts, not a hitch pin. So it's rock solid.
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
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by aaronrules » Thu May 13, 2010 9:59 pm

Looks good dude...do you have any pics with the tire on it and up? I mean form behind...and maybe a little bit aways?
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by fishsticks » Fri May 14, 2010 10:22 am

Image

Sure would be nice if my spare came in.

Got a call from AT yesterday:

"Mr. Lynskey, You're tire is in! Come down anytime when you're ready for us to put it on!"

"Great! Is the wheel in too?"

...silence...

"I'll have to check on it and call you back."

No call so far. :wallbash:
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
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by aaronrules » Fri May 14, 2010 11:00 pm

fishsticks wrote:Image

Sure would be nice if my spare came in.

Got a call from AT yesterday:

"Mr. Lynskey, You're tire is in! Come down anytime when you're ready for us to put it on!"

"Great! Is the wheel in too?"

...silence...

"I'll have to check on it and call you back."

No call so far. :wallbash:


NICE pic dude! Makes me miss Washington...lived there for half my life...
Lift, shocks, wheels and tires installed...need some armor now.
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by bgwolfpack » Sat May 15, 2010 12:29 am

Fishstick's have you thought of selling these? Could the 18" cross bar be bolted rather than welded for shipping? :coffee2:
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