Rear tire carrier bumpers? Love em Hate em?

[Jacket]

I went back and forth on this topic a lot when choosing my rear bumper, but ultimately decided against it for now. Keep in mind that you can always add one later (pretty easily) if you decide it is necessary, or if your ongoing build forces you to go that way.

The issues that I saw with the carrier: reduced rear visibility, additional burden of opening/closing the gate to access the rear, restricted use to the truck bed (i.e., can't drive with the tail gate open when hauling longer items), and significant additional weight beyond the rear axle and frame. In my case, with minor modifications I can fit it up under the truck with little affect on clearance and departure angle. If I feel like I need it, I can move the tire to the bed.

But obviously the pros of a tire carrier is that it frees up a ton of space in or under the rear of the truck, gives you the option of 2 spares, and makes the tire easily accessible.

Armorology has done quite a few 3rd gen rear bumpers if you are looking for some more ideas. He won't ship, but it's still fun to look...

 

[Streakerfreak]

It looks like you still have a tow hitch? I'd like to keep mine but its so big and bulky...yours looks to be different.

Most of these bumpers come with a hitch built right into the bumper.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Armorology has done quite a few 3rd gen rear bumpers if you are looking for some more ideas. He won't ship, but it's still fun to look...

I do love the Armorology stuff, but after a $1600 quote on a front bumper and needing my truck for 2-3 weeks they are off the list!

Most of these bumpers come with a hitch built right into the bumper.

Thanks for the info!

 

[xcmountain80]

X2

Aaron

 

[toy_tek]

Aaron, you're correct about the F150 tank, I believe it was mid 90's. I think Bruce TS was the guy that installed one. Although it might be more economical to purchase, pretty sure I recall that you would need 1-2" body lift to get the bottom of the tank near the bottom of the frame rails.

I am not running a body lift, nor do I plan to, mainly to keep the center of gravity lower. In my case, the F150 tank would then sit much lower than I would like, losing clearance as well as exposing it for damage. That is why I am considering a custom built tank.

 

[jh504]

I have had the spare on the back of two rigs but not a bumper/tire carrier combo. I have used a stock tire carrier on my previous XJ and also on my current 2nd gen 4runner. I love having the tire on the back. I would much rather have it there than underneath, inside, or on the roof. Its never been an issue for me with opening the rear hatch. Just takes an extra second, no big deal.

 

[xcmountain80]

Aaron, you're correct about the F150 tank, I believe it was mid 90's. I think Bruce TS was the guy that installed one. Although it might be more economical to purchase, pretty sure I recall that you would need 1-2" body lift to get the bottom of the tank near the bottom of the frame rails.

I am not running a body lift, nor do I plan to, mainly to keep the center of gravity lower. In my case, the F150 tank would then sit much lower than I would like, losing clearance as well as exposing it for damage. That is why I am considering a custom built tank.

Either that or make a sweet AL skid that loops like a skateboard on the ends and is bolted to a steel frame that houses your new tank. You can do it! I need more pictures and info on your bumper crazy man. I want one but darn these pre baby bills are killing my toy fund.

Aaorn

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Don't know if this is supposed to be specific to trucks (it seems to lean that way based on who's posting, but I digress) but I don't like bumper mounted swing-out carriers. I can't get over the idea of having to open the tire carrier everytime I get into the back of the XJ, which is about twice a day on a light day and about 8 times a day on a heavy day. So here's my attempt to have the best of both worlds. Be aware, it's a work in progress and as far as I know, nobody's doing anything like it.

Here's the entire thread if you want to read it...
XJ Hatch-lift tire carrier project

or here's a quick synapsis of the plan:

Using this hinged mounting method

and this fixed mount design

to end up with something like this:

Progress has been slow lately, but due to it's complexity, I'm not rushing this project.

A note for all the naysayers: I know this idea is far fetched. I've hear all the reasons why it won't work, but have yet to meet one person who's even seriously considered it, and certainly not to the extent that I have. So unless you have compelling first hand experience with photographic evidence, don't bother trying to talk me out of it. I posted this to show an alternative, not to have you explain to me that it won't work based on your lack of knowledge.

Note to all: please read the whole linked thread above before asking a ton of questions that are probably already covered in the thread.

 

[xcmountain80]

I don't see why it wouldn't work, though your door would need to have adequate support (interior support, most likely welded on the inside of the door skin). You'll be putting your pneumatic struts through a literal hell and may need to be upgraded. I see the weight will be placed on the door and the roof with an almost 50/50 sort of split. This mod would greatly depend on the final tire size intended.

Aaron

 

[xcmountain80]

C'mon 11db don't be shy it ok to post your pictures. I want some bumper porn.

Aaron

 

[Cole]

On my 17th wheeling rig and 10th Jeep. Have had several tire carriers. It is more a lesser of two evils thing.

If you want to carry a large spare it is "almost" needed. But I HATE them. Makes the tailgate of the Jeep nearly useless, hard to get in and out. With all the heavy stuff mounted on it no one other than a large male can open the thing on flat ground. (wait until you park on a trail tilted the wrong way and can't get your tailgate open).

Just a flat out pain to use on a daily driven vehicle for me. There NEEDS to be a better way, but everyone keeps doing the same old stuff.


Love the look of the XJ rack above. I had the Bestop carrier on my TJ and it was as close as you could get to having a carrier and normal use of the tailgate. Still made the gate too heavy (with a 37 on it) for anyone under 230lbs to get it shut easily.

 

[RonL]

Backwoods Rambler,

Very cool design. I have a similar design on my Rover(side mount), You will get a lot shake if you don't install a rubber stop that touches the rear door. This rubber stop will touch right before the door latches and give pre-load to the pilot points, thus eliminating all slop from the pilot points.

You will have to be strong to lift the tail gate with that extra weight on it.

 

[zolo]

Here is mine. Im a fan as well.
I guess the only think that is taxing is having to swing out every time you want to get into the back of the truck.
Other than that a good bearing or bushing design for the swing out and its rattle free and really nice to have.

 

[rickc]

There are many great discussion points here. For me the most important issues are accessibility and safety.

- Underslung spare fails both.
- Loose spare in the bed fails on safety but so many open-back trucks do this (nuts!).
- Up on the roof can fail both too especially if the wheels are big and heavy and you are tired.
- Back or front mounted is the easiest and safest. I'm not sure how legal front mounting a spare wheel is. Lots of Landies used to/still do mount the spare on the hood.

For me, pulling a pair of pins and lifting a small lever is a small price to pay for being able to get to my spare easily. My spare is a lightweight at only 110lb compared to two-piece steelies with runflats. My carrier has a wind-up/down mechanism to faciliate spare handling but I find it much easier to simply disconnect the cable and guide the spare down by hand, remove it, replace it with the changed wheel at floor level (easy) then lift it back and lock into place. It's the lifting of a chunky wheel and trying to align the studs that is the back-breaker with regular rear mount spares, especially on uneven ground.

On the newer Conqueror trailers there is a spare mount that looks like it holds the spare by clamping at three circumferential points; the lower two serve as a cradle and the top one then drops down and clamps the spare into place. I thought that this was a great idea but on closer inspection it looks like there is still a hub mounted part.

I like the concept of a roof spare mount slider that pulls out then down (not a new idea). The problem would be how to do this safely.

 

[xcmountain80]

Here is mine. Im a fan as well.
I guess the only think that is taxing is having to swing out every time you want to get into the back of the truck.
Other than that a good bearing or bushing design for the swing out and its rattle free and really nice to have.

What, just a teaser shot? Thats crap lets see some more! What kind of Toyota is that anyway?

Aaron