GX460 spare tire carrier options - bumper, hitch, swingout, etc? (2 Viewers)

[Reg Wang]

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.

The amount of weight, both static and dynamic, that the barn door hinges can take has been my recent concern. I'm always suffering OCD regarding any door of a car swinging fast open and cause stress on the door checks. This all started one day when I saw an F150 driver opens his door and just let it fly out.....cringe. Anyway, so my GX460 barn door swang open by itself today before I could grab it, sure this was nothing, but it made me wonder how much vertical, horizontal, static, and dynamic stress the hinges can take? This surely is relevant for adding spare tire to the GX, you won't always be mindful to hold on to the door, it can fly open, it can bounce when driving on washboard roads etc etc.

 

[Reg Wang]

For Volvo and Audi, they seem to make a point on how strong their doors joints are, as more then three Volvo/Audi dealers have purposefully hopped onto their doors to demonstrate the strength of the hinges.... just saying, wondering if the over-built Land Cruisers are the same.

 

[r2m]

For Volvo and Audi, they seem to make a point on how strong their doors joints are, as more then three Volvo/Audi dealers have purposefully hopped onto their doors to demonstrate the strength of the hinges.... just saying, wondering if the over-built Land Cruisers are the same.

But considering that the Prado's all come with spare tires hanging off that barn door, and many in the more enthusiastic off roading countries (read: Australia) will mount 35" tires to those stock mounting points.
Per your concern, I've always been far more wary of the sheet metal pulling out or something, but never considered the hinges. If anything, my guess would be that the hinges (just for the barn door) are over engineered.

 

[mudwagon]

But considering that the Prado's all come with spare tires hanging off that barn door, and many in the more enthusiastic off roading countries (read: Australia) will mount 35" tires to those stock mounting points.
Per your concern, I've always been far more wary of the sheet metal pulling out or something, but never considered the hinges. If anything, my guess would be that the hinges (just for the barn door) are over engineered.

From what I've seen the hinges aren't the problem, the latch is wobbly. Lots of cnc machined adapters for the latching system to accommodate the weight. My concern with the JW drilled carrier is it's all great for SW states, but I wouldn't be drilling or using that in the rust belt; the angles are too sharp to get perfect powdercoating that will stand up to the salt and the holes you drill will get salt in so it's really just a yearly battle of repainting and fluid film everything. Which I do every year with all my vehicles, but that area of the vehicle sees the most salt buildup over winter next to the wheel wells and frame. I have huge doubts in that carrier ability to stand up to the elements. For me the expedition one single bumper is the best happy medium right now. All the benefits of a bumper mounted carrier with the added tether to the door.

 

[Reg Wang]

Thanks to DIY Speed Garage/Sami's help, I checked the parts number between the j120 (with door mounted tire) and the GX, the hinges and screws and even the door panel/metal shell, are of the same numbers.

 

[carve]

Why aren't their any options that tie directly into the hinges and door catch? Those are the strong points- not the sheet metal.

 

[orangerock]

This new JW Offroad option is exactly what I'm looking for...

JW GX470 Tire Swing Out

The JW Offroad GX470 Rear Tire Swing Out! Designed to be a 100% bolt-on swing out so you guys will get the best product that could be built. Our swing-out requires no cutting or welding to the frame We utilize the OEM holes in the frame for a factory fit and result. The swing-out was designed to...

www.jwoffroad.com

They have a GX460 version coming out in 3-4 months.

 

[r2m]

This new JW Offroad option is exactly what I'm looking for...

JW GX470 Tire Swing Out

The JW Offroad GX470 Rear Tire Swing Out! Designed to be a 100% bolt-on swing out so you guys will get the best product that could be built. Our swing-out requires no cutting or welding to the frame We utilize the OEM holes in the frame for a factory fit and result. The swing-out was designed to...

www.jwoffroad.com

They have a GX460 version coming out in 3-4 months.

The way this integrates into the rear bumper is similar to one a forum member made a year or so ago.
If not going with a steel bumper, this looks to be the nest best thing!

 

[orangerock]

The way this integrates into the rear bumper is similar to one a forum member made a year or so ago.
If not going with a steel bumper, this looks to be the nest best thing!

While in theory the new JW seems like a no brainer I can't make my mind up... I had a terrible experience with a roof rack from JW so I'm hesitant. Also, it's about $400 more than a Rigd, permanent solution after cutting the bumper up and I need a spare tire ASAP now that weather is amazing and we are out on the trails every weekend.

Help lol

 

[mudwagon]

While in theory the new JW seems like a no brainer I can't make my mind up... I had a terrible experience with a roof rack from JW so I'm hesitant. Also, it's about $400 more than a Rigd, permanent solution after cutting the bumper up and I need a spare tire ASAP now that weather is amazing and we are out on the trails every weekend.

Help lol

Having read up on that and having bought some sliders for JW. Their response to 2 bolts not aligning and essentially not being to install the bolts was “oh well, it should be fine”. I’m happy I painted and coated my sliders myself rather than use their finish. I’ve not seen many good reviews from anyone outside of the rainless SW areas. Any salt or rain and they seem to rust easily. IMO that can be fixed if you coat it yourself or work with a local powdercoater to get a better coating on. I did 4 coats of rustoleum and 2-3 coats of raptor spray can truck bed coating. The finish finish is really top notch, I tested the coating by whacking it hard with a wrench and didn’t expose any metal. My only wish is that they tethered the swing out to the door so they work seamlessly, but again that is something that can be fixed or added on.

 

[orangerock]

Lexus Gx470 DIY Tire Swing Out Kit

Our custom swing kits ship fully welded and include all the hardware and material needed for install. Requires some fabrication skills (cutting, welding) for installation.

80percentoffroad.com

This looks interesting as well. It's priced really well at $850.

 

[orangerock]

Having read up on that and having bought some sliders for JW. Their response to 2 bolts not aligning and essentially not being to install the bolts was “oh well, it should be fine”. I’m happy I painted and coated my sliders myself rather than use their finish. I’ve not seen many good reviews from anyone outside of the rainless SW areas. Any salt or rain and they seem to rust easily. IMO that can be fixed if you coat it yourself or work with a local powdercoater to get a better coating on. I did 4 coats of rustoleum and 2-3 coats of raptor spray can truck bed coating. The finish finish is really top notch, I tested the coating by whacking it hard with a wrench and didn’t expose any metal. My only wish is that they tethered the swing out to the door so they work seamlessly, but again that is something that can be fixed or added on.

That's what happened to my rack. Rusted through after one winter in east Tennessee...

 

[McDuff123]

While in theory the new JW seems like a no brainer I can't make my mind up... I had a terrible experience with a roof rack from JW so I'm hesitant. Also, it's about $400 more than a Rigd, permanent solution after cutting the bumper up and I need a spare tire ASAP now that weather is amazing and we are out on the trails every weekend.

Help lol

I decided on the RIG’d, and glad I did.
Once I realized that I could get all or most of my $$ back if I decided to sell, and not leave behind a mangled chopped-up fascia, it was a No-brainer for me.

 

[mudwagon]

Anyone have any longer term info on the east coast with the JW tire carrier?? Getting tired (literally) of having no trunk space cause my spare takes half the area up. Only issue I see with Rigd solutions is the parking sensors basically are useless once installed. Been looking into a pakmule as well as I could add extra storage for cooler, etc instead of a tire carrier. Too many options...lol. This is mostly for longer road trips not offroading, my offroad trips are weekend length at most and don't mind carrying it inside daily or on those trips. I have two dogs and an expecting wife, so GX might turn to LX sooner than later if the tire situation can't be solved.

 

[jiggletits]

just buy tires that fit

 

[orangerock]

Anyone have any longer term info on the east coast with the JW tire carrier?? Getting tired (literally) of having no trunk space cause my spare takes half the area up. Only issue I see with Rigd solutions is the parking sensors basically are useless once installed. Been looking into a pakmule as well as I could add extra storage for cooler, etc instead of a tire carrier. Too many options...lol. This is mostly for longer road trips not offroading, my offroad trips are weekend length at most and don't mind carrying it inside daily or on those trips. I have two dogs and an expecting wife, so GX might turn to LX sooner than later if the tire situation can't be solved.

If you live in Michigan don't get anything from JW. Their products rust like crazy.

 

[mudwagon]

If you live in Michigan don't get anything from JW. Their products rust like crazy.

I got their sliders, but did my due diligence and coated them myself with a ton of rustoleum and raptor liner, honestly came out great, but they don't offer a raw version of the tire carrier. I'm not inclined to drill into the door with salt, but it's tempting for the usability. Only bumper I'm really interested in is the expedition one, but not trying to drop 3k for a tire carrier solution right now.

 

[mudwagon]

just buy tires that fit

Ah yes, useless comment #1, thought I was over the hump with 10 year old commenters on forums, thanks for the reality check.

 

[jiggletits]

The reality is that 32s will save you thousands of dollars in heavy, rusty, low MPG and useless mods.

 

[mudwagon]

The reality is that 32s will save you thousands of dollars in heavy, rusty, low MPG and useless mods.

Fun fact, I have 32's. I bet you're a real hoot at gatherings. Anything is a useless mod beyond stock or the engineers would've put on the production vehicle by that definition. I simply asked if anyone has had experience with the JW carrier on the salt coast. Want to inform me on which oil brand I should use too? Do you know if 35's fit without rubbing?