The title says it all. I'm looking at buying a '91 4runner with the tailgate tire carrier and need to know if it's strong enough to hold a 35" spare while off roading/rock crawling? Are there any downfalls with it's design that i'm not aware of?

 

I'd say no...

David

 

I'm pretty sure someone else on the board was using a 35 or 36 on the factory spare tire carrier... plus a hi-lift adapted to it. Let me see if I can find the post.

found it... https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...light=roll+bar
elvota mounted 35" to factory spare tire carrier.

 

IIRC, Big Tall Blue, yoter, retoy, etc. used to have a 35 on a stocker.

It is low and a compromise.

I would buy a pickup for wheeling, 4Runners are too heavy. Lots of spare tire options on a truck.

 

As mentioned already above, I run a 35" on my factory carrier.




It seems to work fine. Have even drug the bottom of the tire once or twice coming out of steep ditches. Really bent the liscence plate, but rack seemed to have no ill effects.

 

Hey Elvota, wanna make me some hi-lift mounts like that?

 

elvota, how wide are those tires?

 

Personal opinion after having had one...a rear tire carrier is a BOAT ANCHOR...didn't like it...won't have another one. Sure looks "cool" but all mine did was drag arse.

 

Mine can hold myself (200lbs) aswell as my 32".

 

KyleT, those tires are 12.50 wide.

Evolta, I have a HI-Lift mount that attaches to a receiver. I plan on getting an aftermarket bumper with a built-in receiver...do you think theres still enough room between the tire and that Hi-Lift mount?

Flyg, I know what you mean about weight and it's a hard decision but i still have my totaled '92 for *some* spare parts plus i want to build a multipurpose rig which i think a 2nd gen would be the better choice.

waskilly, man you got me thinking too much now. Were you running a 35" spare at the time? I can see how dragging arse could be an issue.

 

I built a 4R cause that is what I had.

If you are looking to build a rock rig that can be driven, start with a truck. Front leaves are stupid easy, rear leaves are almost done, bob the bed and call it good.

12.5 for sure.

 

Ferg: I can weld, but not enough that you would want me to weld you something... yet. The "rack" is just some square stock with bolts on the end welded to the carrier. Works well though, and keeps interior free for camping gear, dogs, whatever.

Tires are Goodyear 35x12.5", as mentioned by others

Rocket: I don't have a good understanding of your set-up. Send me some more details or a pic and I will check my vehicle for clearance.

Not really sure where else to put a 35" spare. Inside takes a ton of space, underneath you would loose clearance (but I have seen that way work out well, Sonoran Steel makes a kit) and on the roof would be crazy. Something must be compromised on all these vehicles, 4Runner or truck. Almost 3' of tire just won't tuck away with any setup I can think off.

I find the rear rack works well and stays out of the way. I may end up modifying the back end of this vehicle further in the future with terms like "bob" and "chop" coming to mind. I think I'd still leave the spare where it is, but just might tuck it at more of a forward angle and try and gain some clearance.

 

With a 35" or a 37"...it was a boat anchor hanging that far off the end...I'll still have a tire carrier on the 85 eventually, but it will be up over the rear axle so it doesn't drag the arse down.

 

I 2nd that word for word!

 

Theres a guy somewhere on one of these forums with 40's mounted on his rear rack.