I wanted to get more clearance by moving the spare tire out from the stock location underneath. Putting the spare inside was not an option, and I thought I wouldn't need an aftermarket rear bumper (more on this later). At the time SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr. did not have any DIY kits available (they are still unavailable as of Oct. 2020), so I based my build on his wonderful design as detailed in this thread Factory Bumper Swing Out Build, but I built mine from scratch with some changes.
For the spindle, I wanted to use the Comp4x4 heavy duty spindle Tire Carrier Hinge Kit - HEAVY DUTY - 1-3/4" Spindle Shaft, but their website seems to be abandoned and they didn't respond to any of my emails or calls. So instead I used the Summit Machine "Bomb Proof" Spare Tire Hinge Kit assembly: Spare Tire Hinge Kit. The Summit Machine spindle is super beefy and as an added bonus less expensive than the Comp4x4 version, but I have one complaint: it is too wide, which makes it hard to fit. If I were to do it over and still couldn't get the Comp4x4 spindle, I would probably use the RuffStuff spindle instead: Spare Tire Spindle. The Comp4x4 spindle design uses a DOM tube as a sleeve, which supposedly reduces failures from directly welding on the spindle, see their blog post: News, so I duplicated that idea with the Summit Machine spindle.
I cut the angle of the arm and welded it instead of notching and bending the tube as SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr. did, but it seems to be plenty strong.
I don't yet have a plasma cutter, so I used the 4xInnovations tire carrier wheel mount plate: 1410045-Tire Carrier Wheel Mount Plate and Support Gusset. This is a great product that I would highly recommend.
For the spindle, I wanted to use the Comp4x4 heavy duty spindle Tire Carrier Hinge Kit - HEAVY DUTY - 1-3/4" Spindle Shaft, but their website seems to be abandoned and they didn't respond to any of my emails or calls. So instead I used the Summit Machine "Bomb Proof" Spare Tire Hinge Kit assembly: Spare Tire Hinge Kit. The Summit Machine spindle is super beefy and as an added bonus less expensive than the Comp4x4 version, but I have one complaint: it is too wide, which makes it hard to fit. If I were to do it over and still couldn't get the Comp4x4 spindle, I would probably use the RuffStuff spindle instead: Spare Tire Spindle. The Comp4x4 spindle design uses a DOM tube as a sleeve, which supposedly reduces failures from directly welding on the spindle, see their blog post: News, so I duplicated that idea with the Summit Machine spindle.
I cut the angle of the arm and welded it instead of notching and bending the tube as SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr. did, but it seems to be plenty strong.
I don't yet have a plasma cutter, so I used the 4xInnovations tire carrier wheel mount plate: 1410045-Tire Carrier Wheel Mount Plate and Support Gusset. This is a great product that I would highly recommend.
Last edited: