GX460 spare tire carrier options - bumper, hitch, swingout, etc?
- Thread starter Roody
- Start date
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The OEM hitch is what I desperately want to get rid of. It is far too low for off road, I must have dragged it a hundred times in Moab. But I also despise having to open a swingout every time I want to access the rear. So my current plan is the JW tire carrier paired with a Coastal rear bumper with hitch, which should improve departure angle quite a bit.
- Thread starter
- #23
That sounds like a solid setup. I have the Curt hitch which isn't ideal but it also cost only $136 and took effectively no time at all to install. A bumper with an integrated hitch is much more ideal, obviously. Just a matter of where to allocate money...
I wonder if it's possible to have JWO mate their new bumper arm carrier to their rear door carrier. So you would get the convenience of the rear door carrier and the sturdiness of the bumper arm. Much like the bumper tire carrier a forum member came up.
This would be good for those that already have the JWO rear door carrier.
This would be good for those that already have the JWO rear door carrier.
GX DAVE
SILVER Star
I want to see an OEM JDM 80 series style carrier for the GX's, that would be dope.
My problem with the new JW offroad style carrier is they are basically designed for people who don't want to commit to a steel bumper, so if you ever want to go steel bumper you'd need to sell the tire carrier as opposed to just waiting and getting a proper swing out w/ the steel bumper.
I loved my door mounted tire on my FJ, I really miss it. But I'm weary to commit to the door mounted carrier on the GX because I'm not sure how the hinges will hold up over time, it's really my only deterrent. I don't want to deal with the rear door registration being off and not closing properly, ever.
Maybe JW can come up with a rear door hinge reinforcement system to put people at ease who are worried about this issue!
My problem with the new JW offroad style carrier is they are basically designed for people who don't want to commit to a steel bumper, so if you ever want to go steel bumper you'd need to sell the tire carrier as opposed to just waiting and getting a proper swing out w/ the steel bumper.
I loved my door mounted tire on my FJ, I really miss it. But I'm weary to commit to the door mounted carrier on the GX because I'm not sure how the hinges will hold up over time, it's really my only deterrent. I don't want to deal with the rear door registration being off and not closing properly, ever.
Maybe JW can come up with a rear door hinge reinforcement system to put people at ease who are worried about this issue!
r2m
Richard
I think I'd worry more about having an oversized tire hanging off the rear door causing stress on the mounts to the door than the hinges. The hinges are the same as used on the Prado's.
r2m
Richard
I've heard of the Prado's hanging 35" tires off the back down in Aussie land, but not sure how long they last on long harsh washboard roads with that constant oscillation.
This guy did a GX to Prado conversion with the rear hanging spare if you're interested: Builds - Good luck Kiichiro! A build story. - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/good-luck-kiichiro-a-build-story.1115968/
He has since sold it so I don't believe he's on this forum any longer.
I share a lot of concerns as other with door mounted option. The main difference in Prado and GX doors is the sheet metal is formed on the Prado with reinforcements to address the extra weight on the end when closed and open. If you have seen the Expedition One bumper that mounts on their bumper but is hinged to the door they have had issues with the sheet metal pinching. The JW mounted one I haven't seen a failure, but I'm also not convinced the majority of people are driving aggressively enough with it. I know JW has great customer service, but replacing the rear door is probably not something they are going to warrant and claim install error etc. Currently, for a rear door mount the best solution is a Prado swap or the Expedition One bumper with the updated hinge system to fix the pinching issue I described earlier; both attain a similar experience where you open the door and the tire swings with the door.
Swingouts are a pain in the ass. I've had mine a month and am ready to go back to not having them at all.
Bang Bang
Age is a state of mind.
Kevin at SSO was the first to come out with an integrated tire swing that worked with the door on the 470's. He has since discontinued making them (a while ago) and never made one for the 460 as I recall. However, when I get back from Jambo and then an immediate turnaround for a work trip, I plan to convince him to take my money for one for the 460. If I'm gonna drop $3k on the Exp One bumper then I might as well spend it with him and get what I want. I've already got another of our club members saying he wants one as well. This may help my cause.
Since the GX is not my daily, he can keep it at the shop as long as he needs to for fitment. Once I get Kevin to build it I will be selling the Dobinson's double swingout. 
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Keep this thread posted with that. I'd be interested to see another design and what they do. Importing a prado rear door is way too expensive and impractical. The only way I see that happening is if you could get a japanese import shop to get a door in the crate with whatever else they order. Anything on ebay won't ship this way and the only guy I saw on here that got one paid way more than its worth.Kevin at SSO was the first to come out with an integrated tire swing that worked with the door on the 470's. He has since discontinued making them (a while ago) and never made one for the 460 as I recall. However, when I get back from Jambo and then an immediate turnaround for a work trip, I plan to convince him to take my money for one for the 460. If I'm gonna drop $3k on the Exp One bumper then I might as well spend it with him and get what I want. I've already got another of our club members saying he wants one as well. This may help my cause.
I bit the bullet and got the JW installed. I will let you know if there are any issues. I had the same concerns as everyone else, but have come to terms with it knowing they have sold a lot of them and I don't see any issues popping up and it's been out for quite a while now. In addition I got a vote of confidence from Stellar Built who has installed a lot as well and have seen no issues as of yet. They highly recommended this solution. If something happens I know the risk. But I will never go with a latched based swing out with a side swing door, and at 3K for the bumper plus the weight this was the best solution. The window still clears with 285/70/17 not that I use it that much. I do use the truck offroad (Baja, Death Valley, Mountains in Northern California/ Tahoe and this spring/summer will be testing it out. I'm still a little nervous, but heck the stuff we put our expensive suspension and gear through will probably be more expensive then a rear door lol.
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re_guderian
SILVER Star
So I have a small question to ask. For the JW and a 285, my main concern would be no longer fitting in my garage. If you were to measure from the top center of the OEM plastic bumper cover directly backwards from the vehicle, how much extra length is there to the trailing edge of the spare (or if there's some other part of the JW system that's further out, then to that)? Am I going to need 13" of extra length in my garage, etc. ?
- Thread starter
- #35
Ordered the JW kit. 3-4 weeks for delivery. Looking forward to giving it a shot and getting the spare out of my trunk.
I measured from the furthest portion of the assembly which is the license plate relocation bracket light and came up with 13". From the tire itself it is about 11-1/2". My wheels are alpha equipt echo 7.5"x17+10 and 285/70/17
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Here is my custom rear tire carrier
That is the most clean custom tire carrier I have seen yet. Its perfect and looks like it belongs on the vehicle. Unfortunately the fab shop is in Cali and I am in Texas. 
I wish this thing was produced and shipped, I'd happily throw my money at the fabricator.
I wish this thing was produced and shipped, I'd happily throw my money at the fabricator.
r2m
Richard
That looks awesome!
My only design changes would be to add a HighLift mount and lower the spare tire several inches for a better rear window view.
But other than that I love how it's canted with the angle of the rear door, close to the door (not sticking way out the rear) and still has a stock look.
Very well done!
