Under bed tire carrier

[boogyman]

Since I got a full size spare with my new set of 32x11.5r15 bfg km2s, it didn't exactly fit under the bed like my old 31" spare did. So.. I decided to make my own brackets that were large enough to accomodate the tire (and I wanted to chain the tire up there since I had a spare tire pulley break when I was going 40mph down the road).

so here's it is..

First, I removed the old spare tire brackets and cut off the ends which were too small for my new tire.
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/9899/img1961y.jpg

Then cut and bent some new brackets out of 1/8" zinc plated steel. They measure about 4.5" on the short side, and 10" on the long side.
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6645/img1962a.jpg

Next, I drilled out some holes and attached them with 5/16" carriage bolts & lock nuts:
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3584/img1966f.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1385/img1963p.jpg
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4746/img1965m.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8049/img1964lgf.jpg

The finished product before mounting. I cut one support a little too short, so I made the bracket a bit longer to accommodate for the missing bend
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7361/img1967x.jpg

Here it is mounted:
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9956/img1968n.jpg

I attached the brackets diagonally with some steel chain. I wanted to be sure that the tire wouldn't come flying out, especially since I've had the spare tire pully break on my before while driving down the road.
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1053/img1969mlo.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5959/img1970.jpg

..That's it. It was about $30 for everything: steel to make the brackets, chain, bolts, and quick disconnects for the chain.. and now my spare doesn't have to sit in the garage taking up room :chair:

[slosurfer]

Cool! :thumbup:

Good idea about the chain, my 33 fits down there, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to add a cable to it. The people behind you must have shit a brick when your truck shit a tire at 40mph! :yikes:

[boogyman]

The people behind you must have shizzle a brick when your truck shizzle a tire at 40mph! :yikes:


Pretty much. I did too. I'm just glad it didn't happen on the freeway. The 2 people that were behind me were able to swerve out of the way, but I saw the tire bounce about 20ft in the air behind me because it got caught between my bumper and the road. Then it rolled over to the side of the road and I was able to go back and get it. Hence the motivation for the chains :-)

[corax]

that woud also work pretty good to make sure no one steals the spare - on one (or both) of the diagonals red loc-tite a threaded chain link for one attach point and pad lock the other attach point . . .

[CJM]

for pure hold down purposes I think a ratchet strap would be easier and lighter.

[boogyman]

for pure hold down purposes I think a ratchet strap would be easier and lighter.


I thought about that, but it's a lot easier to attach chain than building in some sort of hook on the brackets for a tie down. Besides, the chain is super light; it's only 3/4", and I think I used about 6 feet of it.

[CJM]

I thought about that, but it's a lot easier to attach chain than building in some sort of hook on the brackets for a tie down. Besides, the chain is super light; it's only 3/4", and I think I used about 6 feet of it.


I would be worried if the chain were to come loose imho, doubtful but possible.