Used factory swing away tire racks, is there a demand?

[rayra]

Haven't been following the import side of things, so don't have a clue. This weekend I was visiting several regional vehicle scrapyards (in north L.A.) looking for parts for my GM vehicles and something stood out to me. I saw at least three Pathfinder vehicles with the swing away racks. Two were in pretty good condition, usable as they were. The worst one needed refinishing -

Just wondering if there's a demand for these things, or maybe for them as a base to build other expansions on?

 

[toddz69]

I don't know of any particular use for the carriers themselves but I always thought the latches on those might be repurposed for some other use.

Todd Z.

 

[AA1PR]

you never know on this forum

 

[AngryRedBird]

If they are in great working order and not to expensive to purchase.. This would be a great project for you or someone else.. Not sure they will sell as is.. But I do see (just like you) potential in these. A thorough inspection, maybe a spot weld or two.. good sanding, repainting and greased up.. then you might attract attention.. Maybe even document your progress here, just to show other the time and effort you put into these, for resale of course.

 

[rayra]

dont really have the money or time to sink into them right now, but I did notice during my scrapyard visit that there were several grill guards, overhead pipe racks and these tire carriers laying about. If I could afford to sink the money into speculation it would be pretty straightforward to harvest these things and clean them up a bit. Something to keep in mind for another day I guess.

I'm curious too, these being apparently a factory option, if the mounting holes are already in the bodies, capped or whatever, where someone could just bolt these up without having to drill holes in their bodywork. If it is that straightforward then it ought to be easy enough to flip these things. If I could afford the time and money. As it is I've got a pickup to fix and sell and my 'new' Suburban project to build up.

 

[Allof75]

There's definitely a market for them out there, typically people on NPORA or Craigslist would snap them up. The only requirement for them to work on the WD21s, and the R50s is that they had to come from the factory with one to have the necessary supports included in the body panels. So the market would primarily be people whose pathys once had them and were removed, or they're just upgrading to something in better shape if there's is rusted. Being that you're in CA too, means that most of what you'd see would only have surface rust at worst.

 

[AngryRedBird]

I'm surprised these were not taken off already.. even the tow hitch..

 

[mtnbike28]

That is a clean yard! Everyone I go to, the cars are in a field, tall grass growing into the openings. And never any Toyotas.... Nice find!

 

[stabworthy]

Npora regular here, I recall a thread where someone couldnt give one away but those taillight guards are getting rare. Any trail armor, in good condition, is flippable.

 

[Mr.510]

Almost every WD21 you see has a tire carrier. They aren't rare and can be difficult to give away, at least in the NW. That tail light guard on the other hand is worth quite a bit if the mate is there somewhere, or even if it's not. That looks to be a Manik guard. They're worth at least $150 for the pair if straight. I think I got $200 for mine and the buyer was really happy to get them, having looked for years. Anything made by Manik for a WD21 is rare and sought after.

To answer a question above: The holes and reinforcing plates are NOT in WD21s that were not equipped with tire carriers from the factory. If you don't use the reinforcing pieces inside the bolts will tear through the quarter with just a 31 on the carrier, even with large fender washers. The reinforcing plates are welded in but it doesn't seem to matter if you just glue them in with silicone, the quarter panel holds up the same as a factory install. The stock carrier is strong enough to hold any tire you'd want to put on it plus a 60" High Lift and a 225 pound guy climbing on it at all sorts of crazy angles. lol

 

[rayra]

Thanks for all the info folks. I'm still thinking about 'rescuing' some of these parts to flip. Been down to that yard again in a quest to get a replacement exhaust manifold for my '85 C-10 and once again spotted a few ladder racks and grill guards. Maybe after I sell the pickup I'll put a bit of the proceeds into trying to flip some of that stuff.

As for the yard being clean, that's CA eco-rules. The yards are now cemented to control seepage of fuels and lubricants into the ground. Just a byproduct that it makes it cleaner and easier to pull stuff, that wasn't the lobbyists' / legislature's intent.

I'll keep my eye out for such stuff on future visits.