One of the reasons I bought this particular 1991 'Runner is because it had the sweet spare tire carrier on the back. Were these an expensive option back in the day or something, because it seems like I see so few of them on other 4Runners of the same era.
When I was looking for an old 4Runner, I held out for one that had it, and it took a long while to find one.

And with the high price for custom rear mounted swing away tire carriers for 60 series Land Cruisers, you'd think more people would use an adapted/modified form of this for the purpose. I have an FJ62, and just looking at it, it seems like it'd be a fairly straightforward affair.

 

It was an option for the 90 and 91 only. It came with the 31" tire package I believe.

 

Quite probably started as tariff related cutbacks on US imports, like the 2Dr 4Runner. The swing out tire carrier and all those nice Surf only options probably didn't make it for some reason like that. It most surely wasn't because people hated or weren't interested in them.

 

I believe they were only available in Canada and only on 90-91 trucks.

 

Yup... '90 and '91 only. ARSmay and Elvota rock.

Plus they carry a 35" spare and can be modded pretty easy to stow your Hi-Lift back there. Sweeeeeeeeet.

 

I love mine but the problem is the after market rear bumper are non existent for them....but all in all I much prefer it

 

I swear Ive seen 4runners around here with that tire carrier...

maybe im crazy.

 

My friend has one.


Did they make a 2 door 4Runner with the rear tire carrier?

 

i had one for all of a week

 

I had one on a truck that I owned for ONE DAY. It overheated and the clutch went so I took it right back. I wish I had a tire carrier, they are wicked.

 

Oooo.....shiney.

 

Yeah NICE! Looks just like mine, same paint job and everything only WAY cleaner!

 

only available for the first couple years of the 2nd gen. i had one. i think toyota ditched it mainly due to the fact that:

a) it blocks rearward vision
b) its a hindrance to get to the rear cargo area
c) more moving parts for something thats unlikely to be used on a regular basis = something might fail.
d) they saw the amount of space underneath and thought...heey

you'll see on vehicles that have them today...they're mounted directly on the rear cargo door itself and not a separate swing away. if i had one, id want it removable and offset to the drivers side.

only the NA spec vehicles do the goodies get omitted. diesel motors, 5 sp transmissions factory winches..etc etc. probably has to do with govt regulations, and the fact that Mr T doesnt see US and Canada toyota owners as they do the rest of the world...

 

Hey Elvota, Would You Be Able To Post A Pic Of The Carrier Open Just To See How You Mounted The Jack!

Good To Know They Can Handle The Weight Of A 35" Tire, Can You Actually Access The Lock On The Back With The Tire Carrier Shut?

Thanks!

 

Sure:





Yup... lock access is a non-issue. Might even work with a 37 back there. One note, I did alter the OEM rack to move my tire up about an inch or so for a better departure angle.

 

looks great. Im planning on putting some 33's back there, im thinking maybe 35's since they fit, but i don't want to regear. Looks Good.


Btw, i love my swing out tire carrier! But it does make it harder to see backwards, but its manageable, thats why there is side mirrors.

 

I just drive by feel... so it doesn't much matter.

 

also there are internal to the body shell extra metal pieces in there.

Back in the early 90s when this (forum) kind of thing was done via bboards, someone actually ORDERED the OEM metal peices, spot welded em in and mounted one....

 

Here is mine also with a 35 spare and no mods to fit it. The one thing I can say for it is good luck finding a replacement if you ever need one , the tailgate of a non spare is so different
1. no taillights built into the tailgate
2. the catch for the swing out needs to be reinforced and holes drilled for it
3. the spring on the bottom of the tailgate is different
4. the licence plate hanger is totally different
5. a lot more money to replace.
6. sticks out a lot father and makes back in parking near anything a bit more of a chore. If you bump a light pole or anything it can really ruin your day.

As for it being a site issue ya some times it can be but if you know how to use your mirrors properly its a non issue. Other then that I love mine it was great for mounting my antenna and will be for my hi lift jack as well I see that ELVOTA beat me to it but I had the same idea for mounting my jack like that.

 

I have one of these swing out tire carriers,they are pretty sweet