My Rear Tyre Carrier build up - woooh!!

[RedTacoma]

Wow this is very nice, exactly what I was thinking for the bumper. Only thing I was thinking is to have tire lower almost level with the bumper. What size of the tire you have on it? 33" ?
Also that gas strut is nice addition, is there particular model type you would recommend ?

 

[joedm]

Wow this is very nice, exactly what I was thinking for the bumper. Only thing I was thinking is to have tire lower almost level with the bumper. What size of the tire you have on it? 33" ?
Also that gas strut is nice addition, is there particular model type you would recommend ?

Thanks, I have a 30" on there. I've allowed for some room to go bigger.

Seriously, I didn't put much thought into the type of gas strut. I was in the store and just picked one that looked BIG enough. Basically going with the over-engineered theme. As you can see, any bigger/longer and it wouldn't have worked.

I think I'll still need to remove the plastic bumper and put some support for where the gas strut connects. At the moment it's bolting into the steel cage under the plastic, but I'd rather have something more sturdy.

Also looking to add some of those "spring-pins" as a fail safe if the latch were to ever open while driving. Anyone know where I can get these? The ones I've seen here in Oz are for trailers and don't look as good as the ones I've seen on other carriers.

 

[Rolly4x4]

Nice job, looks very clean. I have always thought welding to chassis rails was a no-no (eg. people welding rock sliders etc. to their chassis rails.)

 

[joedm]

Yeah that wasn't the plan but happened like that..
If I had to do it again, I'd use a bolt on mechanism.

That way, you can always take it off and replace with something beefier.

 

[cruisertom911]

Looks good...I would maybe try to add a gusset at the spindle. Big stress point. Cool build/thread.

 

[joedm]

Thanks, yes I've decided to revisit this and add more gusset/support to the spindle side to stiffen it up a bit.

May also add some bolts through the top of the latching plate through to the steel bumper underneath to make that more rigid as well.

All this adds weight. I was trying to keep it as light as possible, seeing that the Kaymar version doesn't seem to have much support for the vertical arm at all.

The worst thing is the amount of time it takes to paint... waiting 8 hours for the next coat etc.

 

[Falco80]

Great work mate, looks tops!
A 4wd accessory store would charge you an arm and a leg for a carrier like that, lol!

 

[89s rule]

Wow very very nice. Something to think about for sure. Any idea how much $ and time you have in it?

 

[joedm]

I bought a MIG welder but I wouldn't count that as it's a gift that keeps on giving. =P

All in all I think it comes in ~ $300 AUD.

Places here in OZ wanted to charge me > $1000 for supply not including install of a similar aftermarket item.

Latch $30
Steel (Max) $100
Flangeless Hub & Spindle $60 (I think incl P&S)
Welding Wire $60
Gas strut $45
Paint & Primer $40
​

Then add a few other nice to haves like:

Number plate light $10
Padlock $15
​

And I still have a lot of steel left over.

Hours? 40 - 50 maybe?

Would I do it again?
It's alot of hard work, but everytime I look out the window at work and see my cruiser sitting outside I know I would.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

A couple questions:


1) How has it been holding up so far?

2) How thick is the angle iron you used?





Looks great btw


Rick

 

[joedm]

1) How has it been holding up so far?

Pretty good, I don't even notice anymore. Originally I thought I would be a bit annoyed at having to swing out the tyre whenever accessing the boot but the gas strut provides so much assistance that I can do it easily with one hand, so yeah it hasn't bothered me in the slightest.

I've gone offroad (nothing too heavy) a number of times, including towing my camper traile and it's been all good.

2) How thick is the angle iron you used?

If I recall correctly it's around 10mm.

I still haven't gotten around to adding the pull pin (safety) or the extra gusset, but will do that in some holidays I'm taking soon.

Funny thing happened when I took the 80 to ARB to get some castor correction bushings put in. I had to get my wife to take me there to pic the 80 up. So she followed from behind as we drove home. Later she told me that ARB had conveniently stuck one of their stickers on my rear window. Maybe they like my carrier???

 

[slow91fj90]

I did a similar setup a few years ago. Yours looks awesome. Mine has worked out perfect.

 

[d0ubledown]

love these designs! great build guys. question though, could the corner of the bumper cap be notched out so the spindle can sit lower? would also get rid of the gap issue for the latch etc. id imagie some of the structural integrity of the cap might be compromised by taking out a corner, or more rain etc can go through the hole in the bumper...but those would be both non issues that i can deal with to have a lower swingarm. i also use the pintle hook and theres already a plate there so i dont really want to sandwich something else there as well...

been wanting to do this since forever, but not having a welder or knowledge of using one makes it kinda difficult.

 

[joedm]

slow91fj90, I need to get a sticker like yours... looks like it came out of a store.

d0ubledown - come to think of it, the corner is just the plastic mould and there's some thin steel cage/reinforcement underneath just where the actual real bumper ends. If I wanted it to sit flush, I would have notched the corner, but that would not allow me to remove the carrier totally without having a gaping hole on one side.

As it is, I'd just need to cap off the hole where the spindle comes out, or just put a cap on top of the spindle.

[edit] I didn't have a welder too or knowledge, but started small on other projects first to practice... side gate, little bits and pieces,... etc.
Practice makes perfect, also I upgraded from an arc welder to a cheap mig welder. I used both on this job. The arc/stick welder to attach the angle to the frame as I wanted some real strong welds and I don't think my mig was as powerful, plus it was hard to weld in a tight spot and upside down. The mig was used on the rest.

 

[latinoguy]

Good work. I am also a fan of the wildyoats style tire carrier, although I paid someone to weld it for me after I got all the parts and metal needed it for the project as I don't have any welding skills, and didn't require a full metal bumper yet for the type of wheeling I do. Still, I have put in over a hundred miles of dirt and easy to medium trails with the tire carrier at places like Joshua Tree, Anza Borrego and Baja with the carrier mounted. I think making sure there is no back and forth, and nor up and down free play of the swing arm is key for supporting the latch strap longevity and to avoid hearing any rattles coming from the carrier. The carrier does not make any noticeable shakes over rock gardens, or those pesky street bumps on street roads.

Can you give more details about the gas strut mounting? Did you use a self tapping screw at the swing out arm? Did you reinforce the gas strut mounting at the bumper for it like you mentioned earlier?

Pretty good, I don't even notice anymore. Originally I thought I would be a bit annoyed at having to swing out the tyre whenever accessing the boot but the gas strut provides so much assistance that I can do it easily with one hand, so yeah it hasn't bothered me in the slightest.

 

[joedm]

The gas strut has a bolt on both ends and I've tapped a thread into the underside of the swingarm. Still haven't reinforced the bumper but as long as I support the arm when opening, it's fine.

Next time I remove the arm, that corner will definitely get some steel to reinforce it.

 

[IT Doctor]

Also looking to add some of those "spring-pins" as a fail safe if the latch were to ever open while driving. Anyone know where I can get these? The ones I've seen here in Oz are for trailers and don't look as good as the ones I've seen on other carriers.

Love your work. Try these guys for the spring pins. Industrial Rubber Supplies