OEM (or JDM) factory swing-out, non bumper-mounted tire carrier?

[hamishpotter]

I've dug around 'Mud and so far cannot find info on this. I've seen a few photos of them and would appreciate any info on availability, pros/cons (i.e. whether the can handle weight of larger tires), prices etc. Seems like a simple option compared to a new bumper with swingouts.

Thanks!

 

[ChiTown]

The body is reinforced in the areas where the factory carrier was installed. Our US models do not have that reinforcement needed to support the weight.

 

[gnarlynick2072]

The JDM swingout is awesome. It can handle lots of weight though you have to actively grease the pivots as they can get pretty gummed up.

I have seen a thread where a guy modified his frame to put one on his truck. Quite a bit of work it seems... You will also need a JDM lower lift gate.

If you desperately want one, it can be done, though I think most will advise against it.

 

[kruisinkid]

Very invasive from the threads and pics ive seen. Someone was selling the whole setup gate and all on ebay not that long ago for about 400

 

[hamishpotter]

Ok this is sounding like more trouble than its worth. Thanks All!

 

[rdang]

I have an FZJ and installed a JDM tire carrier on about 5 yrs ago. It's still holding strong. I've slammed it more times than I can remember, backed up into trees, hung bikes off of there, wheeled it every chance I got (not so much anymore, no time) and not even any indication of wear where the supports are. Pretty strong. You do need to install interior supports to make it work. Here is my thread on how I did it: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/oem-tire-carrier-on-us-spec-fzj80-installed-w-pictures.366063

 

[canman]

The body is reinforced in the areas where the factory carrier was installed. Our US models do not have that reinforcement needed to support the weight.

I could be wrong, but I believe the lower reinforcing is present on US/NA models, but not the upper. I have a cutout of the entire rear quarter from a JDM model. Definitely a lot of work to mod one to fit.

 

[Kernal]

Anyone have a photo or description of the brace found in the JDM liftgate?

 

[rdang]

I don't think you can just get the brace for it... you need to replace the entire lower tailgate.

 

[hamishpotter]

Thanks rdang - still seems a bit tricky, what with the supports and braces.

I'm thinking the custom swingout added to stock bumper or maybe new bumper

 

[IanB]

I don't think you can just get the brace for it... you need to replace the entire lower tailgate.

Yup, the lower tailgate is completely different due to the latch for the swingarm, the licence plate bracket is shifted over to the left, and the upper tailgate has a support for the swingarm, and I think the release is shifted over from the regular version as well.

 

[gnarlynick2072]

A fun tidbit about the quarter panel mounts for the swingout is that they can also be used for factory ladder handles.