uberhahn

My '99 4runner doesn't have a trailer hitch. I am gettin a Draw Tite today.

I currently store my 265/76R16 on the spare tire hoist (it fits, barely). With the hitch, there will be no room for the tire. I don't want a rear swing-style bumper carrier, and don't want a tire on the roof-rack.

I know the LandCruiser guys, among others, have put their spare vertically in the back against the driver's side on a fabbed bracket.

Ideally, I would maintain storage space by keeping the tire vertically, but don't know if there is a good SAFE place to mount it.

Any pics or suggestions would be appreciated.

uberhahn

lee

you have a lot of requirements!

one thing you could do is use the stock tiedown hoops in the trunk area of our 3rd gens to strap it down with a ratchet tie down...

i did that.

RTdawgs

I would also be interested in a spare tire alternative. I have a hitch, so I dont have room for a 33" tire underneath. I dont want a tire carrier on the rear bumper. I dont want to lay it flat in the cargo area either.

A vertical mount would be nice, but i think were looking at a long shot. I pulled off the panels one day to check out what was behind it. There is not much that looks like it would support all the weight, it would take some extra bracing. I would also like to mount my hi-lift with the tire.

Elton

is that a new tire size i dont know about

JGM

How often do you actually need it? I know this may sound suboptimal, but...

I ran an uninflated tire in the stock location for a while. Crunch that baby down! Use a portable air compressor (inexpensive) to air it up if you need.

If you want to mount it in the cargo area, I think you would keep more useable room by laying it down and ratcheting it to the floor. That way, you can still use your tonneau.

Hey - I just provide options.

RTdawgs

What size?

snap-on

while an idea not unheard of (the fullsize spair on the VW toraug is like that)

it does present a few problems.

Youll find that the tire (with no air in it) will loose its bead on the rim. then over time (because its undereeth) the open bead has a chance catch mud, sand, dirt, snow, ice, crap etc. then 3 years later you go to retrieve it to find your stuck with a rusty bead mount thats full of crap and a tire that will never hold air without an hr of prep work on the rim bead. (ask me how i know...it wasnt fun at midnight when my spare failed my precheck before a wheeling trip)

RTdawgs

How about keeping 10lbs or so in there instead of 0lbs?

JGM

It was a 315, and it was not totally out of air. I stuffed it in there for a few months while the rear of the truck was converted to leafs. I put a little air in to hold the bead and to make sure it wouldn't move around. Worked fine for the time I did it.

Another question - hitches are very easy to take on an off. Why don't you move the tire to the cargo area ONLY when you need to trailer? For all other times, take that hitch off.

Hey, like I said, I just provide options!

RTdawgs

Was that 315 with or without a hitch? Thanks.

JGM

Without.

Do the measurements between the panhard and hitch. How much more do you need?
That is your shortside. There is plenty of space between the frame rails, unless your hitch eats up some of that, too.

uberhahn

With a 265/75R16 (smart arses), there is a 1/2 inch gap between tire and rear bumper, and about 1.25 inches between tire and panhard.

I like the idea of keeping the tire outside, and will likely try the partially-deflated solution, as I carry a compressor.

But, let's be pragmatic. How about something like this"
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...carrier+inside

RTdawgs

There is a cheap version of a rear cargo spare tire carrier, but the images are down. Sounds like an option.

d0ubledown

i dont run a spare in the city, only when out wheelin and its in the cargo area laying flat. upright if im hauling more gear for camping. heavy stuff inside, and the lighter stuff (tent/sleeping bags/etc) up top to keep that COG down. im sure you should be able to fab up something simple to keep the tire upright in the trunk, but you'll lose your tonneau usage...

after i put in my 1.5" body lift, the crank for the spare winch doesnt line up anymore. Although i think it might only take a bit of metal grinding to notch out the hole that it goes through to line up with the winch at more of an angle. i also dont run a hitch...less weight and i have nothing to tow . but when i get my bumper made, it'll hopefully be able to accomodate a spare underneath...

Roadrunner

Slee Offroad sells an interior mounting bar and tire mount for Land Cruisers for $200. You might be able to fab something up for alot less. It's a nice design, however I'd like to see the tire mounted closer to the side of the truck. The current configuration appears to have the tire sticking out abit into the rear cargo space taking up valuable room.

Ironmike4x4

One option I've used is to get a roof basket and a tire carrier for it. Or if you really want to go redneckish I've seen where a person in my town with a van just used the factory roof rails and used tie down straps to hold it on top.

JGM

I think he mentioned roofing it was not an option for him. I agree.

Can you say FLOP?

How about HERNIA?

uberhahn

Yah. I have a roof rack. I took it off for daily driving. I don't like wheeling with the tire on top either. I've seen the Slee setup, and I agree, it does stick out a bit much. However, the slee setup mounts to 3rd seat anchor points, so it's solid. Not sure if I'll find a solid spot in the sheetmetal behind the panels.

Safety to keep in mind. Think of a frontal crash at 30 mph. You'll have roughly 100lbs attached by what???

Time to do some research.

uberhahn

RR DIFF LOCK

Here's what I did:







Not exactly the best use of space, but it works. Allows for better clearence in the rear when wheeling.

914runner

With the stock hitch, my 33" fits just fine.