Finally built the spare tire carrier.

Just ordered the hinges!!!! Wondering how you attached the angle iron to your bed??? Also wondering if you think there would be a way to weld the hinges directly to the track so as to 1) not lose the track system setup on the front and 2) keeping it quasi-stock. Think the track would hold the weight?? How's it holding up to the weather?? Thinking of getting mine powdercoated...

 

I guess you could bolt the hinges to the rail, never crossed my mind to though. Dunno if I would though. I like it more secure. I used the factory bolts to secure the angle to the bed. There is a link in this thread how I did that. I just rattle canned it and It's holding up fine. When you build it post up some pics!

 

looking good.

 

Just finished up most of the box last night. Did a diagonal cross member instead of the T type you used...well see how it works. Still gotta weld up the angle iron, T tire holder and such but it's looking good. So glad I'm doing this....getting the spare off simply to measure last night was such a pain....but def getting it powdercoated!

Side note-anyone who wants one of these made for you my buddy and I sre thinking of offering them to forum members...PM me for details.

 

Pics or it didn't happen!

 

What ya think?







I haven't cleaned up the welds in their entirety quite yet. I still have some work to do on the grinding, and need to add the T section in the middle. I was going to do a full X pattern, but I kept messing up the smaller pieces and honestly...at this point with the steel I/we/you used...I could hold my truck up with this thing its so solid, ha!! After this I have a guy whos going to powdercoat it for me...I'll post pics when its totally painted. The really cool part is my friend is teaching me how to weld so I'm learning a new skillz at the same

 

Heres the final product!!!







I have to admit im rather pleased with how it came out.

 

That's awesome! Glad I could give you the idea for you to do it. I like the D-rings on the rail too. I did split some rubber hose and zip tie it to the corners where it sits on the bed. It was starting to wear grooves in the floor. How are you planning on securing it down?

 

I got to the 1st photo of the tire in the up position and started thinking "Can't be long before someone wants a group buy" LOL

 

I'm trying to decide on a rack for my truck, you just gave me some interesting ideas. Thanks

 

Isn't the point of a bed mounted spare tire carrier to A- hold more than one tire, and B- to put the weight further back than stock for traction in 2wd prerunners?

 

Yea, you are probably right, but this is a 4wd truck that's a DD and is used for camping and mountain trails. I needed a place to put a full size spare and still be able to use the bed. The tire under the bed works fine for the street but It's the shits trying to get to it on a rocky trail. Plus I needed a place to mount the air tank and where the spare use to sit was my best option.

 

For sure man you def gave me all the ideas!!! I figured since I was losing my movable track my system and the anchor points I'd simply weld the D do GS in the best spot. Secure it in what way? So it doesn't get stolen?? I'll also admit I'm thinking of further following your lead and putting my hi lift jack, a shovel and an ax underneath it for rescue/recover stuff.

 

So I'm curious. Based on the design, to have it painted in any color you wanted, what do you think you'd be willing to pay for one? Or a reasonable price?

 

Technically yes in some respects your right. Honestly most of this came down to liking 06rubi's design, and not loving the idea of having to crawl underneath in a rain storm or snowstorm to get my tire. Also it was just a fun project and taught me how to weld...there is quasi-little honest to goodness need for it. Then again, is much of what we do to our trucks out of "need?"

 

Secure it so it doesn't bounce around when you are driving. It shouldn't be much if an issue on the street unless you drive like my wife and speed up for potholes, dips and speed bumps! But off road you'd need it for sure.

 

I don't fly that much so its not a huge issue. I think I'll be putting some hose on it to keep it off the bed.

On another note how did you do your cross bar, for when your tire is up? I need to set mine up.

 

that's what i was curious about with this set up. i want to start building mine i a few months (moving into a house with a garage). i looked at all pro's and they have a locking pin setup at the hinge. it locks the hinge in one postion or the other so it doesn't bounce.