FZJ80 Custom Rear Tire Carrier (picks)

[Zane]

After our annual Tornado Alley Cruiser meeting last weekend I had several folks asking about my rear bumper tire carrier, so I figured I would write up how I did it with picks for those of you that are interested.

I wanted to get my tire out from under my 80 to gain some clearance, but didn’t want to spend the money on a new rear bumper w/carrier. So, I spent some time under the truck, looking at how I could maintain the factory bumper while having a functional swing out tire carrier. After looking at Bob Garrett’s tire carrier that is on the back of his 80 I took that design and built upon it.

Main Bracket:
I used a spindle from Slee Offroad and mounted that to a section of 3/16 2x3 tubing for the main bracket arm while using 3/16 steel plate for mounting the Spindle bracket to the frame. For more support, I used 3/16 2x2 angle from the steel plate angled up to the main bracket and 3/16 plate steel on top. I finally bolted the bracket directly to the frame. See picture of bracket before mounting and after. Please note that these pictures were taken prior to complete welds being finished up.

[Zane]

Carrier:
I used 3/16 2x2 square tubing for the swing out. I have all of the messurements for the carrier if you are interested just PM me and I will forward them to you. Here are some pics of the carrier during the build process:

[Zane]

Latch

I wanted to make a latch system that looked factory so I used the top two pinel hook holes to bolt the carrier resting point to. Attached you will see a picture of how I made the carrier move out so that it would rest on the resting point. You will then see a picture of the resting point with the hook mounting placement welded to it as well. I used a 2000 lb locking PULL-ACTION TOGGLE CLAMP from McMaster-Carr part # 5071A62.

[Zane]

Attached are pictures of the latch system.

[Zane]

Here is the final product!

[DuManchu]

That's a slick setup, I got a chance to poke around it a little at the TAC meeting.

What was the total estimated cost for the carrier, and what are the chances you could build something like that for mine?

-Andrew

[Chef]

Boy, that shure was shiny before you painted it black





Nice work Zane!

[trainrech]

Nice setup Zane!

[Zane]

Originally Posted by KC Cruiser

That's a slick setup, I got a chance to poke around it a little at the TAC meeting.

What was the total estimated cost for the carrier, and what are the chances you could build something like that for mine?

-Andrew

Total cost for the job is as follows;
Metal: (Metal by the Foot): $87.73
2000 lb locking PULL-ACTION TOGGLE CLAMP from McMaster-Carr part # 5071A62: $34.15
Slee Tire Carrier Spindle: $95.00 (got mine for free )
Grade 8 Bolts: Purchased at hardware store couldnt be more than $20.00 for all bolts, washers and nuts.

Building a second one would not be all that hard, now that it has been done. We would just need to make a copy. I would be happy to help you out, but not do it all. It took me about two weeks to get it all together. I cant find time to wipe my own nose right now... Ha.

[eyezlee]

Very nice! Put me next in line. Are you running a spare tank underneith or just to get it up out of the way.

Matt

[DuManchu]

Originally Posted by zjz4476

Total cost for the job is as follows;
Metal: (Metal by the Foot): $87.73
2000 lb locking PULL-ACTION TOGGLE CLAMP from McMaster-Carr part # 5071A62: $34.15
Slee Tire Carrier Spindle: $95.00 (got mine for free )
Grade 8 Bolts: Purchased at hardware store couldnt be more than $20.00 for all bolts, washers and nuts.

Building a second one would not be all that hard, now that it has been done. We would just need to make a copy. I would be happy to help you out, but not do it all. It took me about two weeks to get it all together. I cant find time to wipe my own nose right now... Ha.

Cool, thanks.

I understand about the whole "no time to wipe nose" thing, I've got a million things going on right now too.

I'll let you know when the time comes and see if you're still willing to give me a hand.

-Andrew

[sleeoffroad]

Man, that looks familiar. FYI, you need to put something on it to stop it from swinging open all the way. If you don't the tire is going to dent your quarter panel sooner or later when someone opens it that does not know to stop it in time.

[Zane]

Originally Posted by sleeoffroad

Man, that looks familiar. FYI, you need to put something on it to stop it from swinging open all the way. If you don't the tire is going to dent your quarter panel sooner or later when someone opens it that does not know to stop it in time.

Yes, Cristo pulled together Bob Garrett's tire carrier several years back, so he gets props for the core design of the carrier itself! No, I have not added a lock that will stop the tire carrier from swinging all the way. Going to work on that soon! Cristo also pointed out to me several months ago that the latch is a over the center latch. The principle is that the latch goes over a point and then pulls against itself to stay shut. The U bolt piece should have been at the angle as he has shown on the picture attached. I will need to move the latch point sometime. I have the latch with the safety clip, so it won't jump open, but I'm sure I’m putting to much strain on the safety clip. Yes, I am H.A. and have not fixed that either. See picture:

[Bob_Garrett]

Originally Posted by sleeoffroad

Man, that looks familiar.

Dang, you never know who will show up here.

BTW, the carrier you built is still going stong on the back of my 80. Just modified to work with the TJM bumper.

[marmotdude]

Hey that looks great. Minus the tire carrier, which I'm in the process of getting made, it looks just like my truck. Looks awesome.

[smileyboy]

Cool build. I started to gather all the materials for this project. Do you have any messurments of the steel cuts and the dimensions? That would help a lot. Thanks

[Zane]

Originally Posted by smileyboy

Cool build. I started to gather all the materials for this project. Do you have any messurments of the steel cuts and the dimensions? That would help a lot. Thanks

PM me your email address and I will send you ALL the measurement in a PowerPoint I pulled together.

[Mandito22]

pm u ... hope to get files soon....