Does anyone know if structurely it is a bad idea to remove the spare tire carrier/crossmember on the pickups or anything else?

Also I have a 2X4 1/4" rectangle tube steel rear bumper, not a factory step bumper or anything like that.

Photo is not mine, "borrowed" from Beaniam

 

Holy rust batman...


...I'd think that as long as the rear most part of the frame is supported you'd be ok. Or just burn in a nice new piece...

 

Do it.

I did it on my 92 when I bobbed the bed and never had a problem.

I am also going to do it to my 88 runner when I get around to it.. The spare will never fit there again anyways......

 

forgot to mention, in addition to my 1/4" square tube rear bumper there is also a wooden 4X4 cross member across there as well, where the rear bed mounts would be. Also forgot to mention I also have a chain wrapped around the frame that goes across the back for a rear tow point for mud bogs.

Yes to the rust, as I said that's not mine, but it's pretty darn close. hahaha.

 

Unless it's a trail only vehicle, I'd leave it. Might prove to be a good idea if he were ever rear ended. You know, frame bending and all that.

 

Frame rigidity is the only reason I have not removed mine in my Tacoma.
Then again the rear most part of my frame ain't boxed..

 

dude, just go on a diet...oh wait..THAT spare tire...weird I was WAY off...

 

Well I removed my swiss cheese tire carrier, but did replace it with c-channel, I have a hitch-bumper, but still wanted more support, I might weld the tire winch back in, I cut a hole to access it but the jury is still out.

But I also fixed my frame, that should hold for a while

 

so what is the reasoning for wanting to remove it?

and I wouldn't trust a wood 4x4 for anything on a truck

edit: someone might remember the classic sign post frame repair thread (sorry for the tiny pics, they saved that way)

 

lots of opinions on this one. I am leaning towards removing it. because the rear bumper on mine is like 3X thicker anyway. add that to the 4X4 crossmember for the flatbed. I think I will be good. I feel sorry for the one who's gonna rear end me and my 2X4 1/4" thick tube bumper though. even though its only bolted on and not welded in.

 

because it's halfway gone out the door rust wise anyway. Just mentioned the 4x4 because it's in the same vicinity, there is more rigidity in the 2X4 1/4" tube bumper than anything on the rear end.