Has anyone mounted 35" tire on late model factory carrier on Aqualu tub?

[Archengine]

I know a 35" tire is NOT recommended on the factory carrier on a stock steel body due to it stressing/cracking the body. My 1979 Fj40 has an Aqualu tub, and the aluminum is very thick in this area, and the rear tub corners are also built much more stoutly than the factory steel. I also see the beefy hinge pin kit from City Racer (I think it was them) that is waaaay beefy. So if I was to rebuild my stock carrier with these pins and mount it to the Aqualu tub, am I asking for trouble? Hs anyone done it successfully? If so how big has it been this way without issue? I currently have 35x15.5 but would definitely drop them down to 35x12.5 for this. Thanks!

Rob

 

[jim land]

You will need a spacer for the wheel or relocating the wheel mounting plate to the right 1" or 2" so it can open completely , but not over the right door , so it can open and clear the spare.
The 33x10 on my 40 hit the hard top when fully open with the stock carrier.

@SMG make some nice pin kit

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Aqualu tub. Running a 285 75 R16 on the factory sheet metal carrier. 3” spacer to clear the corner when in the open position.

 

[rlong]

That is a little crazy and cool, the leverage would seem too great… I’m so glad someone is field testing!

 

[Knucklesson]

 

[Knucklesson]

So far so good...

 

[Archengine]

Knucklesson, sweet rig. Is that an Aqalu tub? What size are those tires?

 

[Knucklesson]

Thanks. Steel tub. 315/75R16. Hair under 35 i believe.

 

[Ride Fly]

Aqualu tub. Running a 285 75 R16 on the factory sheet metal carrier. 3” spacer to clear the corner when in the open position.

View attachment 4176993

View attachment 4176994

Hey Chungas, what wheels are those? Are they aluminum "steelies"?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Hey Chungas, what wheels are those? Are they aluminum "

Fifteen52. Three color options available. A356-T6 cast aluminum alloy

Analog HD _ Peak Grey | Off-Road Truck Wheels | 52OFFROAD

Fifteen52's Analog HD takes the classic steel wheel design and adds a modern touch, casting it in lighter aluminum and updating the classic style to fit a wide range of modern and vintage off-trucks. Available in 16" and 17" with select bolt patterns like: 6x139.7, 5x127 and 5x150. Also...

fifteen52.com

 

[Ride Fly]

Fifteen52. Three color options available. A356-T6 cast aluminum alloy

Analog HD _ Peak Grey | Off-Road Truck Wheels | 52OFFROAD

Fifteen52's Analog HD takes the classic steel wheel design and adds a modern touch, casting it in lighter aluminum and updating the classic style to fit a wide range of modern and vintage off-trucks. Available in 16" and 17" with select bolt patterns like: 6x139.7, 5x127 and 5x150. Also...

fifteen52.com

View attachment 4178245

That's what I thought! They're really nice looking wheels. Better than the OEM and City Racers steelies IMHO. Are those stock hubcaps and did you have to drill in the tabs? Thanks!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

They come in different sizes to accommodate a pretty good tire selection. Yes, they were drilled and tapped IOT add the clips. Work performed by RCLC during the 2.0 “Refreshtortion”. Stock hubcaps. There are different vendors selling the clips.

I wanted options on tire size and rim width while keeping a nod toward a stock “look”. IMHO the best option.

That's what I thought! They're really nice looking wheels. Better than the OEM and City Racers steelies IMHO. Are those stock hubcaps and did you have to drill in the tabs? Thanks!

 

[Ride Fly]

They come in different sizes to accommodate a pretty good tire selection. Yes, they were drilled and tapped IOT add the clips. Work performed by RCLC during the 2.0 “Refreshtortion”. Stock hubcaps. There are different vendors selling the clips.

I wanted options on tire size and rim width while keeping a nod toward a stock “look”. IMHO the best option.

Yep, I agree! The more I look at these wheels, and their specs, the more I dig them! I was considering the FJ CO's 16" aluminum steelie but they're only 6" wide. 7.5" give many more options and adds that safety margin I like.

I'm going to see if Les Schwab can order these and do all the work of tapping the tabs. Thanks Chungas!

 

[B y r o n]

"So if I was to rebuild my stock carrier with these pins and mount it to the Aqualu tub, am I asking for trouble?"

Simple answer is YES!!!

 

[phishtaco]

Hit the easy button and ask for a mud discount. Easy install and well priced imo.

4PlusProducts | FJ40 | Tire Carriers | Tire Carrier

Passenger or driver side 40 seriers Land Cruiser tire carriers with tow/hitch reciever, chain loops, and recovery point.

www.4plusproducts.com

 

[Archengine]

Hit the easy button and ask for a mud discount. Easy install and well priced imo.

4PlusProducts | FJ40 | Tire Carriers | Tire Carrier

Passenger or driver side 40 seriers Land Cruiser tire carriers with tow/hitch reciever, chain loops, and recovery point.

www.4plusproducts.com

Thats the problem for me. The rear bumper gets totally covered up by every swing away bumper I have seen commercially available. I am trying to avoid that. I have thought about making my own 'stock looking' rear bumper but it isn't easy, if even possible to make it hold the weight and not impede the tail lights, bumperettes etc. So if it's possible I am trying to find a way to make it work with stock carrier and the Aqualu. Now granted, my body is back off my truck and is getting the dents out, repaired and repainted, so this is the time to beef up the Aqualu if needed. Most people considering this would already be in the paint and driving the rig, so beefing up the Aqualu would be much less convenient.

 

[B y r o n]

Thats the problem for me. The rear bumper gets totally covered up by every swing away bumper I have seen commercially available. I am trying to avoid that. I have thought about making my own 'stock looking' rear bumper but it isn't easy, if even possible to make it hold the weight and not impede the tail lights, bumperettes etc. So if it's possible I am trying to find a way to make it work with stock carrier and the Aqualu. Now granted, my body is back off my truck and is getting the dents out, repaired and repainted, so this is the time to beef up the Aqualu if needed. Most people considering this would already be in the paint and driving the rig, so beefing up the Aqualu would be much less convenient.

The information you're looking for may be in this thread. There are two links in post #5 of my tire carrier build. Like you I wanted to keep the original look. You can also see the body damage that is caused by hanging larger than stock tires off the body. There are also additional pictures in post #6 of this thread.

 

[Archengine]

The information you're looking for may be in this thread. There are two links in post #5 of my tire carrier build. Like you I wanted to keep the original look. You can also see the body damage that is caused by hanging larger than stock tires off the body. There are also additional pictures in post #6 of this thread.

Thanks Byron! I will check that out.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

@Archengine

I meant to get back with you earlier but was OBE. I’m running a full AQ tub and rear doors. My decision to keep the sheet metal carrier was an esthetic decision and not based on gravity/physics. IOT overcome the stress of the single fixed point tire latch, we used a quick latch. Male section mounted on the carrier, female mounted in the aluminum door. It’s a very small footprint and locks up solid. I think by itself it’s rated at 150lb. I now have to points of contact on the carrier. Lower OE latch and the upper quick latch. I think I have a demonstration vid somewhere.

After the better part of a year there’s no observable problems. Caveat: No hard off road driving.So far so good.

Available at Summit for about $100-ish as I recall.

 

[Archengine]

@Archengine

I meant to get back with you earlier but was OBE. I’m running a full AQ tub and rear doors. My decision to keep the sheet metal carrier was an esthetic decision and not based on gravity/physics. IOT overcome the stress of the single fixed point tire latch, we used a quick latch. Male section mounted on the carrier, female mounted in the aluminum door. It’s a very small footprint and locks up solid. I think by itself it’s rated at 150lb. I now have to points of contact on the carrier. Lower OE latch and the upper quick latch. I think I have a demonstration vid somewhere.

After the better part of a year there’s no observable problems. Caveat: No hard off road driving.So far so good.

Available at Summit for about $100-ish as I recall.

View attachment 4181001

View attachment 4181002

View attachment 4181003

I am not familiar with that style carrier, mine is the later tube style. Does your latch normally mount around there? Or does it mount down below the door opening like the later ones and you added this so there are now two latches? Neat piece of hardware. Thanks for the pics!

Rob