Badfish740

I searched a bunch of different ways for something like this and didn't find anything-Google Images has a few shots of old (60s-70s) Chevy trucks that had a spare mounted on the side of the bed, but they mount pretty low since it's a full size bed with more space between the cab and the wheel well, and the tires tended to be small. I'm going to be running 265/75/16 Treadwright Guard Dogs, but only ordered four because I have two 265/75/16 General Grabber AT2s from my old truck. I used one here as a mock-up to see if I liked the way it looked:



Yes, that's my old exhaust holding the tire up



I think it looks good and will be the best compromise for carrying the tire up out of harms way (and out of the mud and slop) and preserving bed space. A bumper mounted swing away carrier would be neat, but I think this is a simpler solution. I was planning on doing some kind of headache rack anyway, so this could be incorporated into that. I do want to figure out some way to easily be able to accommodate a larger tire later since eventually I'd like to go to 35s. If anybody else has a tire carrier like this I'd love to see it. In the meantime I'm going to work on accumulating some steel.

Badfish740

Almost 100 views and no suggestions-guess it's time to get work!

:wabbit2:

I just found the name of a good metal supplier that sells at scrap prices-too bad they're two hours away-I'll have to do a road trip and stock up. Look for further developments in my build thread.

NH Mudder

I think its a good idea, I had the same idea for my truck, except for one tire it would be two, one above both wheel wells. Is that the stock plastic liner your truck came with you have on now? Are you going to be removing it or cutting holes into it? I was told they were rust traps, moisture gets under them and creates rust, so I took mine off on my 92 and sure enough there was rust, but I also live in NH so its kind of a given. I like this idea, its original. Subbed!

rattlewagon

What about between the wheel well and the tail gate? Or what about a tire gate type of thing.

Or do like Drew (sort of) and put it flat against the cab.

Maybe use one of these:



http://www.etrailer.com/Truck-Bed-Ac...dy/TR1240.html

wii_tarded

I would be sure to install extra bracing if you intend on mounting it as you mocked up in the pic. Highway speed impact could send it flying. Flat against a headache rack would be nice, and back towards the tailgate would be more convenient when needing the spare.

Badfish740

I actually just screwed around with putting it between the wheel well and the tailgate and that looked pretty good too, plus it allows the tire to mount lower which, as wii_tarded pointed out, would probably be better in a crash. I don't like putting it flush against the cab because my dog rides in the middle and sticks his head out of the slider-when I actually put my headache rack in I'm going to specifically allow for enough room in the middle

Thanks for posting that-I like the idea-nice and simple. Not sure if I'm willing to pay $75 for it though-time to go diggin in the scrap pile!

rattlewagon

I was assuming as much. Looks pretty simple to make.

MaK92-4RnR

I think itll look dumb :/ its one thing to mount the tire like that if you had a flat bed, but it just looks goofy. just put it under the truck. it'll fit.

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

I have a tool box so I stuck it here....

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

^I dig that. It's exactly how I was going to mount my spare once i finally get around to picking up a matching 5th wheel - only mine will be on the driver's side so it's not in the way when I look over my shoulder. Passenger side will get a similar holder to carry hi-lift and shovel.

Stuwy123

iTrader: (1)

A 33x12.5 will fit in the stock spare tire location.
Just saying...

That just looks dumb, it doesn't even fit between the wheel well and the cab.
Just a plain old waste of bed space because you have a perfectly good spare location under the bed. If your chain/cable hoist mechanism is busted, then fix it, don't go making a bandaid fix by putting the spare in the bed.

aviator

There is an old school bed side mount tire carrier kit you can get I've seen it at Canadian Tire but it's not on the website.
I understand the wanting to carry the tire in the bed... especially with a broken carrier but getting those carriers off without removing the bed or cutting a hole in it to get at the bolts is a major PITA.
But I had my tire in the bed of my 87 and it looks very goofy and affects the handling... the amount of drag is incredible.

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

With all the texting and cell phone usage, I had to reinforce my rear frame and rear bumper.....so,logically, the spare had to move. It had to go to the bed area but not effect the utility of the bed space itself and I think that was accomplished. Here's the reinforcing that happened under the bed....the frame is also boxed. One pair of tubular bracing is going directly to the receiver hitch