Max tire size and weight for oem tube style tire carrier input

[Goebeler]

I am on a mission with my old school cruiser project. I just added on Bud Built steel panels to the rear quarters. They are welded on.

I have a stock tube style tire carrier and want to use it to hold my 37” tire and wheel. Thinking I can make some adjustments to make the thing fit with ease.

My question is will that thing flex and or fail with that weight? I can modify it more if need be but looking for the oem feel. I do know it’s easier to just build another but this project is all about stock looking overall details that are all in my head.

Thinking of bracing the mounts to my cage in a couple spots so that should eliminate the concerns of flexing at the body.

Thoughts??

 

[Goebeler]

Terrible pic.

 

[Goebeler]

The boggers are not the set of tires I will use. Have tall 37 x 12’s sitting next to the truck in the shop.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Really depends on which tires. 37" tires vary a lot by weight.

To get a frame of reference, have someone hang on that rim you have attached right now and try to actuate it. I bet the OEM tire carrier will deflect too much at the hinges.

 

[Goebeler]

You thinking the hinges themselves mighty be too weak for the big tire’s weight?
I have it clamped on now but not well enough to test that. I will try to get it mounted better with clamps to see if things flex. Might be over my fab skills but I am up for modifying the hinges if need be.
The tire and wheel combo aren’t going to be light, that’s for sure.
Going one wheel and cap, added beadlocks , and 37 swamper.

Half hoping someone has done this before me but guessing folks just go with the full custom approach cause it’s more straight forward and will surely work vs my crazy mission.

 

[74fj40]

I think it’s possible. If you made some plates that go on the inside of the tub for the mounting bolts to go through, also if you replaced the stock latch with something a little more heavy duty like a southco compression latch.

Also maybe added some gussets to help with stand the weight.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Yeah, I think the stock hinges will bend. IIRC, they're not very strong to begin with, strong enough for the job they were designed for, and I've seen plenty of people with 33s on there, but no one with beadlocked, steel wheel 37s. You're talking probably 100-150# worth of wheel and tire, versus maybe 30# stock.

 

[Goebeler]

Any links to the latch you referred to?

Thinking I can beef up the carrier and maybe also find a stronger hinge setup. Lots of mods but still might be some stock carrier in there somewhere.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Latch-style toggle clamps are what all the bumper manufacturers use. Very sturdy:

McMaster-Carr

 

[Goebeler]

Cool latches. Thanks for the link.
Any links to cool hinges that I could possibly retro fit on the oem tube in place of the stock pin type hinge setup?

 

[74fj40]

You could probably build some HD hinges out of some .120 wall 3/4” DOM and some solid rod that fits the ID as the pin. You could add grease zerks too.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

No need to make the hinges that much stronger than the tubing the tire will be supported by.

The biggest problem is that the upper mount is not double shear, and the load point is relatively far away from the hinge. Re-fabricate this to be double-shear at a minimum, with a nice stiff mount to the body, and you'll probably be set.

Stock setup for reference.

 

[Goebeler]

I get that. Now I just need to figure out how to make the modifications to the thing. Surely I can find another carrier and modify the bottom one cause there is room. The top one is going to take some thinking. But I like the idea. Sort of stock looking and using the old setup.

Awesome advice!

 

[77TLCFJ40]

And don't forget that a 37 is going to stick way out past the body on the driver side. You may want to stretch the carrier to avoid that.

 

[Goebeler]

Saw that issue right off the bat. I clamped the carrier in place way in on the back and the tire will almost clear. I won't carry it on agressive crap either way but want it for trails and passes out west.