I bought my Runner used with 31s already fastened on. After getting flat, I realized I only had a 28 0r 29 inch tire underneath. I am pretty nit-picky about things like these, so I acquired another 31 inch and put it on one of my old stock rims. I mounted the tire on the stock roof rack, and i finally decided I've had enough of the look (Almost wannabe safari?) I'm now interested in finding a rear tire swing that i have noticed on oh so many other 4Runners. Any ideas of where to get one? Junk yards around me aren't to resourceful, so i've come to discover.

 

If your Runner came with the undermount spare tire system, you can fit up to a 32" tire up under there.

 

I already looked into that, and my tow hitch lessens the clearance of putting anything bigger than the 20 or 30 that was under there. I also like the look of the tire on the back, and since i have seen those mounts on other runners, i figured with some diligant work i could get one on mine, too bad i cant find one.

 

Go search on the ODW, I remember this came up a couple times. I'm pretty sure the 4runners with the stock spare tire carrier came with reinforcement in the sheetmetal. The sheetmetal alone can't take the stresses.

It might be easier to get a new hitch (or ditch it) that will accomodate a 31 or larger. My hitch will allow me to use up to at least a 32.

Steve

 

Yep. There is reinforcement in there behind the sheet metal. It'd be a "not-so-simple" job to throw one on.

Why not get a nice custom rear bumper with a swing out tire carrier?


Warren

 

My hitch is a Hidden Hitch brand. It lets me get a 32 in there, but it is a tight fit. I want to ditch my hitch and fashion a custom rear bumper with spare mount and integral hitch mount. Mainly to get better clearance. I've gotten hung up on my hitch and spare before. Aaah, someday.... Robinhood, how's the custom front bumper coming?

 

I have the hidden hitch too.

My bumpers are still in the design stage. I'm not in a hurry to build them and the wife says I have to wait to spend the money. :confused: Probably have them by the end of the year or the sometime in the beginning of the next year. Actually, I'm leaning toward not going with a rear tire carrier.

Steve

 

Oh wow, i never thought of a reinforcement. It makes complete sense too. Sure will save me alot of time, money and effort. Thanx guys. I've been looking into an aftermarket rear bumper with a tire swing. I found the ARB Kaymar Rear bar and tire carrier, http://www.arbusa.com , but its not distributed in the US. Just my luck. Are there any other companies that have developed one? (Hopefully at a cost less than what the ARB would be )
Bucky

 

The Hilux Surf (basically the japanese version of the 4runner) has these cool rear swing out carriers. It bolts above and below the rear brake/indicator lights on the rear right hand side. The rear corner needs a reinforcing plate available from Toyota as are the rest of the parts - but at a price.

I was told as long as I had a chassis number from a Hilux Surf with a rear carrier as OE, that your local Toyota dealer could then call up the part numbers on his computerised stock list.