Easy, inexpensive spare tire storage ideas?

[mike759]

Good afternoon,
Trying to gather some ideas on how/where to store my spare 33” tire other than my trunk. It hangs way too low on the stock mount and I don’t want to spend $1000+ on a swing out bumper. I have access to a small harbor freight welder and very rudimentary capabilities so a complex diy bumper isn’t really in my wheelhouse. Just want to see how other people in my boat have resolved this.

 

[hisandhers80s]

I went with the Bell Fab Rear Tire Mount

 

[barrysmoothies]

+1 for bellfab carrier

 

[Comet]

Raise stock mount for under $20.

 

[manofthewoods]

Raise stock mount for under $20.

I did that by cutting some aluminum tube to make spacers, and purchased longer bolts.
Storing the spare inside takes up too much space when I'm goin' huntin' with my bird dogs

 

[cts]

You might also consider going with a narrower tire. A 255/85/R16 is still a 33" diameter but will take up less space than the typical 305 or 285mm wide tires. That will either give you more ground clearance or more interior room depending on where you end up mounting your spare.

 

[Marvelicious]

Raise stock mount for under $20.

If you're running tires that will fit and a bumper that plays along, that's the answer, for sure. Cheapest and doesn't take up any of your cargo space.

 

[MissahPapaJ]

I went with the Bell Fab Rear Tire Mount

View attachment 4180051

How intrusive is the mounting process?

 

[Marvelicious]

Pretty sure it just mounts to the bolt holes for the 3rd row seats, and the grab handle. Entirely bolt-on and entirely removable. Like seven or eight bolts if you don't have 3rd row seats installed.

 

[MissahPapaJ]

Pretty sure it just mounts to the bolt holes for the 3rd row seats, and the grab handle. Entirely bolt-on and entirely removable. Like seven or eight bolts if you don't have 3rd row seats installed.

I like the idea of it not huge on dangling 100lbs off the ass of a 80. I’d rather have the tire inboard for weight distribution purposes.

 

[efjayatee]

I went with the Bell Fab Rear Tire Mount

View attachment 4180051

I need to install mine for my 37s. Getting tired of the swing out and the weight in the rear. Kind of wished I had the OEM rear bumper.

 

[mike759]

I have the spare ratchet strapped upright like the bellfab unit right now so I’ll see how that works with all my gear on the next trip. Alternatively I’d like to look into raising that oem mount. I’m assuming you make spacers to raise the bracket a few inches?

 

[manofthewoods]

I have the spare ratchet strapped upright like the bellfab unit right now so I’ll see how that works with all my gear on the next trip. Alternatively I’d like to look into raising that oem mount. I’m assuming you make spacers to raise the bracket a few inches?

It's been awhile, so my memory isn't exact...
I seem to remember being pleasantly surprised that the clearance (due to angles and such) was better than I expected near the diff area.
Maybe someone can confirm, or deny

 

[mudgudgeon]

I like the idea of it not huge on dangling 100lbs off the ass of a 80. I’d rather have the tire inboard for weight distribution purposes.

I had mine inside for a while. Never got used to the rubber stink on a hot summer day.

 

[mike759]

It's been awhile, so my memory isn't exact...
I seem to remember being pleasantly surprised that the clearance (due to angles and such) was better than I expected near the diff area.
Maybe someone can confirm, or deny

I tested the fit a few months ago and the tire hangs almost as low as the diff, which I didn’t love for the departure angle. (It’s worse in person)

 

[Brindleboxer]

I have the spare ratchet strapped upright like the bellfab unit right now so I’ll see how that works with all my gear on the next trip. Alternatively I’d like to look into raising that oem mount. I’m assuming you make spacers to raise the bracket a few inches?

Here is a decent thread talking about modding the factory undermount tire carrier. FJ/FZJ80 Spare tire lift (5" the easy way) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fj-fzj80-spare-tire-lift-5-the-easy-way.778554/page-2

 

[basalt51]

 

[CharlieS]

Bellfab V2. 100%

 

[mike759]

Currently rocking this setup which works if you retighten the strap every few days. I’m assuming the thin strap doesn’t help. Should I use an upright tire tie down strap like those Baja trucks or is that overkill?

 

[efjayatee]

@mike759
I think you should get this Bellfabrication set up instead Its safer and is well mounted. Worth a look from safety point.

Land Cruiser 80 Series Interior Tire Carrier V2 | Bell Fab Land Cruiser 80 Series Interior Tire Carrier V2 | Bell Fab - https://share.google/hae8GBU26Mu1ej64N