Found a good deal on an AO spare carrier. For those that don't know the rear of my frame was removed to allow for better departure angle and 2" hitch in the bumper. The swing out carrier doesn't fit with my motorcycle carrier. With my trailer on the back I can't get into the truck either. Worst was in the winter, my swing out would freeze closed, so I was always climbing over the kids to get stuff into and out of the back. Last winter I removed the swing out and have been driving with the spare in the trunk.
AO spare carrier install
- Thread starter farinvail
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does it require drilling?
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- #3
The hoop was easy to install. I removed the mounts for the passenger side 3rd row seats. I set the hoop where the washers seemed to line up best and drilled into the body through the plastic. The kit provided a wedge that you see in the pic. I split this into two pieces and drilled a few extra holes. I made a 5/8 plywood spacer 24" wide 4 1/2" at the bottom. Cut a 33" diameter into it and made box ends. A little rattle can and an old bike tire stapled in to provide so cushion. I liked the way the tire sat elevated off the floor and decided this was an easy approach. I've had a husky floor liner for years but it's spent more time in the attic than in the truck. I cut it up a little to make it fit.
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- #4
I thought it would make the cubbys unusable, surprisingly I can still get into them. The tire doesn't block my view as much as I thought. I can now install the 3rd row on the DS if I wanted to. I think it would be cool to get a 255.80r16 and use that as a spare but $180 is a lot for a 1.6" narrower tire. I'm thinking about building a sliding drawer for the now empty side, but that's not happening soon. I'm headed to Moab on Thursday for the weekend. I-70 is closed through Glenwood, so It'll be a long drive around. I'll give a report Monday when I return.
Yes, drilling was required, also I needed a few bolts longer than the ones provided by AO.
Yes, drilling was required, also I needed a few bolts longer than the ones provided by AO.
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that's actually really cool, better then I thought it wouldve been.
x2...thanks for the write up!
Slee makes a bar similar to this, however I have only seen it installed in 80's. Anyone willing to buy one for their 100 and give it a try?
Slee - Interior Mounting Bar
Slee - Interior Mounting Bar
The down side to the Slee is the tire is on the outside of the wheelwell 7"-8" out. The AO mounts the tire on top of the wheelwell tight to the side. Much better use of space IMO.
I had my 80 spare mounted like that for a while. With a loaded boot, anything that stops you just rolling the wheel in / out is a major PITA. Is the bar that secures the wheel fixed to the main support or does it screw in once the wheel is in place? If it screws in, you might want to split your support wedge so you can remove the rear half to get the wheel in / out more easily?
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- #11
I got it from Slee. I bought the last 2 he had. My boot is usually fairly empty. I pull a camping trailer to the campground and do day trips. So there's usually only tools, cooler, and spare clothes in back. Yes it is a PITA to get it in and out, but much better than a swing out tire carrier in the snow. Plan A is to not get a flat to begin with. What I really have yet to figure out is what I'm doing with my Hi-Lift jack. I'm thinking about bolting it to the factory roof rack.
use the mighty mounts
Slee - Roof Rack Accessories
Slee - Roof Rack Accessories
I used to split mine, so the handle / mechanism, beam and foot were 3 seperate pieces and it made it easier to find places to store it inside the truck.
this is what i have done as well. split into 4 pieces, the mechanism tossed into a milk crate with other off road goodies, the "walking" bar bolted down somwhere, and the handle behind the driver seat as a persuader/crowd control device.
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"the handle behind the driver seat as a persuader/crowd control device."
That's what they make big *ss dogs for.
That's what they make big *ss dogs for.
So are you looking to get rid of the other one?
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- #17
sorry, the other one's already spoken for. I'm all packed and headed to Moab tomorrow. Sucks Glenwood canyon is closed. Extra 200 miles of driving for an otherwise 230 mile trip. Cruise Moab pre-run. 5 trails 3 days, no kids, should be a good weekend. I like to keep the high-lift together. 60" of course.
that is fkd, i saw. rock slide! enjoy, be careful
does anybody have any experience with these mounts?
I use this setup. It's spot on.