ar4me
Adventurer
We mounted my friends LR3 spare wheel for impression of final position and fit... Another few hours to complete the latching mechanism and the locking in open position should be done. Then it is off to the powder coating...
LR4 multi purpose duty
- Thread starter ar4me
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ar4me
Adventurer
Our latching mechanism is unique, in the way it will provide support and take load of the hinge when latched - hopefully we will be able to complete tomorrow, and I will post some pictures then. We are building two identical carriers in parallel: one for my LR4 and one for my friend's LR3. Another unusual choice is the slit in the bumper cover (mostly hidden by the pad on the top of the bumper cover) to aid easy removal and installation of the bumper cover with the lower part of the rear tail gate in place, despite the spindle. You can see the slit in the first picture below, and how it is hidden in the second by the bumper cover. This makes removal and install of the bumper cover a breeze - it would otherwise require removal of the lower part of the rear tail gate, and still be difficult.
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ar4me
Adventurer
Not too much further progress, but we did build the "latching" mechanism, which is a small riser that is welded to the steel bumper, and will peak through the bumper cover and pad. It will provide a bolt down "latching", and this way provide support and take load of the spindle in the closed position. It will include a stop so that the tire carrier cannot swing farther and hit the gate of the LR. As seen in the pictures a bolt was used during the build, but a form of quick release handle will be used eventually instead of the bolt.
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ar4me
Adventurer
Update to parts used: The build parts from comp4x4 have generally proven of little use to our LR3/4 build. We have scavenged some cub-components from them, but could have used generic metal, etc. The spindle from AZ Fabrication is obviously in place, the M14x1.50 (LR size) wheel studs are from O'Reily, the rest is generic metal. For the locking in open position we were going to use the "pop pin" from comp4x4, but the space is very tight, and I will be looking for a different part. A good source for latches and various handles etc. is http://www.jwwinco.com/products/section15/index.html
ar4me
Adventurer
We finished the risers and made the cut-outs in the bumper cover and the top pad. In order to facilitate the install and removal of the cover (with or without the lower rear tailgate in place) another slit was made in the cover. Similar to the slit at the spindle it is invisible once the top pad is installed. Other than that, no particular tricks.
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ar4me
Adventurer
We finished it and have just completed the 100 mile White Rim Road trail in Canyonlands, UT, as well as the 800 miles up to Canyonlands from Southern California - the carrier worked perfectly. I will post some final pictures of the carrier shortly. It works well, and despite mounting the tire as low as possible and as flush to the rear gate as possible, it does NOT interfere with the parking sensors and back-up aid on my LR4 
We ended up using the "pop-pin" from comp4x4 to lock the carrier in the open position.
We ended up using the "pop-pin" from comp4x4 to lock the carrier in the open position.
ar4me
Adventurer
Pardon the red Utah dust Here are some pictures of the final tire carrier in "action"... We plan to get the carriers powder coated for durability. For now they are just rattle-canned. I also hope/plan to replace the bolt on the latching mechanism with a quick release for more convenient use - have a few options in mind. We positioned the carrier so that the right taillight isn't obstructed by the wheel.
Here are some pictures of the final tire carrier in "action"... We plan to get the carriers powder coated for durability. For now they are just rattle-canned. I also hope/plan to replace the bolt on the latching mechanism with a quick release for more convenient use - have a few options in mind. We positioned the carrier so that the right taillight isn't obstructed by the wheel.Attachments
ar4me
Adventurer
Figured I woud resurrect this thread since I am about to make some further modifications...
The tire carrier has now been on for 1.5 years and many, many miles, both on road and off-road, and it is still like the day we finished it
This late July, early August we had a great 10 days doing Sedona, AZ, (broken arrow trail), Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, CO, doing Ophir Pass, Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass, and through Canyonland's Needle District, UT, doing Elephant Hill, Bobby's hole, and out the back to BLM land down to Hwy 95. Our plan was to hit the ferry from Bullfrog to Halls Crossing (across Lake Powell). Unfortunately, the small ferry had broken down, we learned while sitting, waiting for the ferry... Out came the maps, and we took the part of the Burr Trail that starts near Bullfrog to make a short-cut across to 12 and Escalante. We covered about 2100 miles in the 10 days... The most challenging part for us was Bobby's Hole in the Needles district - some family members found Black Bear Pass intimidating We had checked a few videos of Bobby's Hole on YouTube and weren't too worried. The rangers did warn us and checked our vehicles (1 LR3 and 1 LR4 - one with winch) before letting us go. Weather and use constantly changes the challenges in Needles. Anyway, the Needles District was great. We saw no one (guess we got somewhat lucky with unusually "cool" weather for this time of year) on the route we had mapped through Needles and out to BLM land. The rangers hooked us up with a great camp site: site 4 at Devils Kitchen. We saw thunder showers most day, in Needles making the Utah dirt roads interesting...
Anyway, back to one of the modifications... Ray_G was kind enough to sell me his Frontrunner Outfitters aux fuel tank Thanks Ray! I should receive it within a week or so, and hope to get it installed prior to an October guy's trip (2 LR3s, 1 LR4) - the families stay home, that we are planning. With the spare tire already on the rear carrier, the big gaping empty hole underneath is begging to be put to good use
The tire carrier has now been on for 1.5 years and many, many miles, both on road and off-road, and it is still like the day we finished it
This late July, early August we had a great 10 days doing Sedona, AZ, (broken arrow trail), Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, CO, doing Ophir Pass, Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass, and through Canyonland's Needle District, UT, doing Elephant Hill, Bobby's hole, and out the back to BLM land down to Hwy 95. Our plan was to hit the ferry from Bullfrog to Halls Crossing (across Lake Powell). Unfortunately, the small ferry had broken down, we learned while sitting, waiting for the ferry... Out came the maps, and we took the part of the Burr Trail that starts near Bullfrog to make a short-cut across to 12 and Escalante. We covered about 2100 miles in the 10 days... The most challenging part for us was Bobby's Hole in the Needles district - some family members found Black Bear Pass intimidating
We had checked a few videos of Bobby's Hole on YouTube and weren't too worried. The rangers did warn us and checked our vehicles (1 LR3 and 1 LR4 - one with winch) before letting us go. Weather and use constantly changes the challenges in Needles. Anyway, the Needles District was great. We saw no one (guess we got somewhat lucky with unusually "cool" weather for this time of year) on the route we had mapped through Needles and out to BLM land. The rangers hooked us up with a great camp site: site 4 at Devils Kitchen. We saw thunder showers most day, in Needles making the Utah dirt roads interesting... Anyway, back to one of the modifications... Ray_G was kind enough to sell me his Frontrunner Outfitters aux fuel tank
Thanks Ray! I should receive it within a week or so, and hope to get it installed prior to an October guy's trip (2 LR3s, 1 LR4) - the families stay home, that we are planning. With the spare tire already on the rear carrier, the big gaping empty hole underneath is begging to be put to good use
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Ray_G
Explorer
Figured I woud resurrect this thread since I am about to make some further modifications...
The tire carrier has now been on for 1.5 years and many, many miles, both on road and off-road, and it is still like the day we finished it
This late July, early August we had a great 10 days doing Sedona, AZ, (broken arrow trail), Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, CO, doing Ophir Pass, Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass, and through Canyonland's Needle District, UT, doing Elephant Hill, Bobby's hole, and out the back to BLM land down to Hwy 95. Our plan was to hit the ferry from Bullfrog to Halls Crossing (across Lake Powell). Unfortunately, the small ferry had broken down, we learned while sitting, waiting for the ferry... Out came the maps, and we took the part of the Burr Trail that starts near Bullfrog to make a short-cut across to 12 and Escalante. We covered about 2100 miles in the 10 days... The most challenging part for us was Bobby's hole in the Needles district - some family members found Black Bear Pass intimidating
Jes-
This thread...its worthless without pics of the adventure described.
You will get good use out of the tank, admittedly my East Coast self is jealous of your West Coast location...my Rover bucket list right now reads like your summer vaca. (well, with Alaska ->ALCAN & the National Rally on there too).
r-
Ray
ar4me
Adventurer
Some random pictures from the trip - too busy driving that taking good photos was often forgotten or became secondary...
Ophir Pass (my buddy's white LR3)
Telluride (Black Bear Pass is in the background - you essentially go down that and cross the water fall you see)
Imogene (The two families, less me - taking the picture...)
A different direction from Imogene (I am in the middle)
Lots of pretty wild flowers - picture doesn't do them justice...
Black Bear Pass (summit), before the challenging parts (to your mind) - Any Alfisti should recognize the car on my shirt Alfa 75 Evoluzione
Almost down Black Bear Pass - see, too focus on driving, safely We actually had fairly large rocks start falling on the cars at a point where we were stopped due to hairpins being too sharp for comfortable driving - required spotting, and multiple point turn.
Near Engineer Pass
More to follow...
Ophir Pass (my buddy's white LR3)
Telluride (Black Bear Pass is in the background - you essentially go down that and cross the water fall you see)
Imogene (The two families, less me - taking the picture...)
A different direction from Imogene (I am in the middle)
Lots of pretty wild flowers - picture doesn't do them justice...
Black Bear Pass (summit), before the challenging parts (to your mind) - Any Alfisti should recognize the car on my shirt
Alfa 75 EvoluzioneAlmost down Black Bear Pass - see, too focus on driving, safely
We actually had fairly large rocks start falling on the cars at a point where we were stopped due to hairpins being too sharp for comfortable driving - required spotting, and multiple point turn.Near Engineer Pass
More to follow...
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ar4me
Adventurer
More near Engineer Pass
Cinnamon Pass - bit disappointing and least challenging. Ophir is also easy, but a lot prettier - perhaps we were just overloaded with impressions at this point.
Coming down Cinnamon Pass
completed the Alpine Loop, and put us in Silverton. Since our base for the CO trails was in Telluride we were facing a long drive on pavement, or a short-cut over Ophir Pass again, but in twilight. We were treated to a pretty sunset coming down Ophir on the other side
Next stop Needles District in Canyonlands, narrow passing by Elephant Hill
Site 4, Devil's Kitchen
Cinnamon Pass - bit disappointing and least challenging. Ophir is also easy, but a lot prettier - perhaps we were just overloaded with impressions at this point.
Coming down Cinnamon Pass
completed the Alpine Loop, and put us in Silverton. Since our base for the CO trails was in Telluride we were facing a long drive on pavement, or a short-cut over Ophir Pass again, but in twilight. We were treated to a pretty sunset coming down Ophir on the other side
Next stop Needles District in Canyonlands, narrow passing by Elephant Hill
Site 4, Devil's Kitchen
ar4me
Adventurer
Last few...
Bobby's Hole, inspecting the challenge, spent 2-3 hours getting the cars up, using maxtrax and hi-lift jack to move a boulder.
A picture of a little friend we came across in the Utah desert
Apologies for the lack of proper photography and coverage of the amazing things we saw on this trip.
Bobby's Hole, inspecting the challenge, spent 2-3 hours getting the cars up, using maxtrax and hi-lift jack to move a boulder.
A picture of a little friend we came across in the Utah desert
Apologies for the lack of proper photography and coverage of the amazing things we saw on this trip.