OEM Tire Carrier

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Biscuit

Mars Rover Driver Emeritus
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Jun 5, 2005
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Location
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Does anyone know the maximum load that a 1974 OEM tire carrier can handle in lbs? I know that it will handle a 33x12.5 tire, and I have a smaller one now.

I will take for educated guesses.

I'm thinking that a mounted 33x12.5" would weigh in the neighborhood of 70lbs. So that is my starting point. Just want to know what fellow mudders would consider the max load.
 
My 12.5 x 33 puts a hefty strain on my 74 oem mount. I run a tie down to help it, and to keep the rattles down.
 
I have a 74 a well with the same size tire. (33"). The OEM tire carreir handles the load but did start to notice cracking around the mounting bolt holeson the body. My rig is in good condition so elected to make a tire carrier that mounted from the bumper. No stress on the body.:)

Rob
 
My 78 holds a 35" tire and a full 5-gallon jerry can. Been over the Rubicon and Fordyce without a problem. I did replace the eight bolts with grade 8's just to be safe.
tirecarrier.webp
 
I have had to reinforce my stock carrier twice over the years, and it is now needing to be fully replaced by something sturdier. I have had the truck for 17 years, though, so I guess carrying a 33" tire for 5 years was no problem - it was that 6th year that did it in the first time:doh:
 
Thanks for the info everyone. I happen to have a early-73 carrier spare that may have to get fixed up for this project.

What I was thinking was that I could make a holder for a jerrycan or two and or highlift that would mount between the main part of the tirecarrier and the piece that connects to the tire. FYI I'm running stockish sized tires.

I just like this idea over bolting the jerry can to the outside of the tire (so if I need the spare I don't need to take the can off, that and the external one only appears to work with Blitz cans and not with Scepter cans).
 
I found that I never needed my spare so far at least so I converted my spare tire carrier to a cooler carrier. It works great, I even stand on it to get to the top of the cruiser. I redid an old military trailer for whenever going off trail, then maybe I'll carry a tire. Best bet maybe to install a compressor with a fix it kit. Then again, the mainland off road trails are much tougher and out of the way than it is here in Hawaii, at least where I go.

John
73 FJ40/76 motor/78 drivetrain/all kind of goodies
94 - 4 runner/get this stock 4.88 gearing, 12 mpg ouch!!
93 Softail Springer 96 SS stroker motor
93 Maxima
93 Nissan Hardbody
 
does anyone know how difficult it is to rework the hinges on a 78 tire carrier. the bushings etc are shot so there is gaps and it will not fit tight.
 

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