With no metal handy today I decided to start my spare tire mount based on some other members threads. However I first decided to remove the hitch as I have no intention of pulling a trailer of any significant weight behind the 91 3fe. While pulling it I begin to notice that each end had the approxmiate angle and material to hold the spindle. I also realized that I could use the existing mounting holes, bolts and welded nut. So, out came the chop saw to prove my theory.
Placing it up next to the frame I see that the bolt holes line up and it appear to fit without affecting the factory corner bumper mounting holes. next step was to cut the extended mount off where the third hitch bolt would go so that it would clear the factory body mount. I then did a test fit bolting the two lower bolts and tooks some measurements, so far so good.
Realizing that the two factory bolts would not be enough I drilled the back of the plate on the side to place another bolt using the factory square hole on the side of the frame, I used a 3" x 4" 3/16 plate on the inside of the frame to distribute the load. At the point of this mount there was still a small gap between the hitch and the frame. To keep the frame from pulling out when tightening the bolt I placed a steel tab that I had with a hole in it passing the bolt through taking up the gap the bolting everything together.
From there I cut off the end of the square tube to the proper length. The heat of the day put a stop to the rest of the work. I am very happy with the result and amazed at how easy this was. The other half of the hitch will also provide me with another mounting point on the other side for extras if I so desire.
Part of what inspired this is the portability of the mount. I currently have a 1991 3fe and while this is fine for now the prospects of some day upgrading to a 93-97 is out there and being able to unbolt this mount and move it was a priority.
As far as strenght goes I weight in at 250 and I can stand and jump on the mount with minimal flex, overall I am very happy and surpise how easy it was. From here my build will be just like the others with limited variation. I thought this part was interesting enough to post.
Placing it up next to the frame I see that the bolt holes line up and it appear to fit without affecting the factory corner bumper mounting holes. next step was to cut the extended mount off where the third hitch bolt would go so that it would clear the factory body mount. I then did a test fit bolting the two lower bolts and tooks some measurements, so far so good.
Realizing that the two factory bolts would not be enough I drilled the back of the plate on the side to place another bolt using the factory square hole on the side of the frame, I used a 3" x 4" 3/16 plate on the inside of the frame to distribute the load. At the point of this mount there was still a small gap between the hitch and the frame. To keep the frame from pulling out when tightening the bolt I placed a steel tab that I had with a hole in it passing the bolt through taking up the gap the bolting everything together.
From there I cut off the end of the square tube to the proper length. The heat of the day put a stop to the rest of the work. I am very happy with the result and amazed at how easy this was. The other half of the hitch will also provide me with another mounting point on the other side for extras if I so desire.
Part of what inspired this is the portability of the mount. I currently have a 1991 3fe and while this is fine for now the prospects of some day upgrading to a 93-97 is out there and being able to unbolt this mount and move it was a priority.
As far as strenght goes I weight in at 250 and I can stand and jump on the mount with minimal flex, overall I am very happy and surpise how easy it was. From here my build will be just like the others with limited variation. I thought this part was interesting enough to post.
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