Spare Tire Carrier

[Greg B]

Does anyone here currently have a 33" tire mounted under their 100? The reason I ask is I am trying to design a spare carrier under my 100 to pull it higher towards the body and then cover it with an alluminum skid plate. I've already figured out a way to gain some room by using a narrower tire. But on the diameter aspect, it looks like I will need to remove the tow hitch in order to fit a 33. Not a big deal as I plan to add Slee's rear bumper but if I can get around removing the tow hitch, that would be nice. Anyone?

 

[mtycruiser]

I have 33's in the stock location in my 100, it's a tight fit , but there is no interference with the tow hitch

 

[Greg B]

Great! Thanks for the info. I don't have the new tires yet so I was only going off speculation. I'm going to use a 255x85 for my spare. This way I'll have the 33" diameter without the thickness of a 295 or 305 that I'm planning on running. This should allow me to get the tire up against the body and not hang below the bumper. My plan is to build a cage mounted to the frame. Then hinge the skid plate at the front of the cage so that it can drop down like a door to take the spare in and out. Ideally, it would be nice to have the skid plate meet up to the bottom of the bumper.

 

[NMuzj100]

I would make the front of the skid plate completely removable so the door action can't get in the way. When you need to change the tire the truck may be sitting lower than normal and if off road access could be a challenge. That why a lot of guys want the spare mounted on the rear.

The idea of 255/85s is a great one. It's a full sized donut.

 

[Greg B]

I like the idea of the hinged door. If I don't have enough room to get the tire out, odds are I wouldn't be able to get to the front mounting bolts anyways. Odds are, you can pull the vehicle to a spot where you can get to the tire anyways. But, in a worst case scenario, I could use the hi-lift jack to lift the rear enough to get to the tire.

The idea of 255/85s is a great one. It's a full sized donut.

I like to call it the "pizza cutter".

 

[Greg B]

I would make the front of the skid plate completely removable so the door action can't get in the way.

You know, after thinking about this for a few minutes more, you're suggestion is growing on me. My initial concern was that I didn't want to have to deal with mounting bolts up front because it will be so far under the vehicle. But, if I build a channel that the plate fits into on the front and sides, then I wouldn't need bolts or hinges. The plate would simply slide into place and then a couple bolts on the rear would keep it in place. Thanks NMuzj100!

 

[Jukelemon]

Greg:

When you build it let me know. I am in Lexington and with the Bluegrass Cruiser Club. I need some 100 series support ( :

 

[Greg B]

Greg:

When you build it let me know. I am in Lexington and with the Bluegrass Cruiser Club. I need some 100 series support ( :

Sweet, I'll shoot you a PM. I'm interested in your Club too, not a lot going on in Louisville at the moment.

 

[NMuzj100]

You know, after thinking about this for a few minutes more, you're suggestion is growing on me. My initial concern was that I didn't want to have to deal with mounting bolts up front because it will be so far under the vehicle. But, if I build a channel that the plate fits into on the front and sides, then I wouldn't need bolts or hinges. The plate would simply slide into place and then a couple bolts on the rear would keep it in place. Thanks NMuzj100!

Although, I didn't say it. This is what I was visualizing. Some way that the front would slide or hook into the front and be bolted somewhere solid in the rear. Easy to access. Bolted into the receiver hitch ? Also a small access plate so you could check pressure on the spare w/o removing the plate.

Will your Pizza Cutter even need a skid plate? I know in the 80 there is a way to make the tire sit further up into the well. A 80s search might give you some ideas.

 

[Landpimp]

I have a 33 under my 100, it fits fine even with the hitch. I run 33's or a 33 pizza cutter spare under all my wagons.

on the 80 you can move the stock carrier up a bit to gain some more clearence, not sure if you can do the same on the 100.

John

 

[Josh83]

Another idea would be to fasten the skid plate to the tire, then use the regular "winch" to raise the whole thing up and down. You wouldn't have to fool with crawling around in the mud or anything to undo bolts. Think how much it would suck to be in a suit under your truck, on the side of the watterson in the rain unscrewing bolts at 5pm on a friday.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I have a 33 under my 100, it fits fine even with the hitch. I run 33's or a 33 pizza cutter spare under all my wagons.

on the 80 you can move the stock carrier up a bit to gain some more clearence, not sure if you can do the same on the 100.

John

The 100 has more clearance under the spare than the 80. You shouldn't have to "move" anything.

A 35 will fit underneath too, though with the stock hitch removed. I ran for 50K with lift and the spare underneath. While I occassionally hit it, it never stopped me from doing an obstacle.

On an 80 the spare doesn't rest flat like the 100. Instead it angles down and that cost more clearance. A 35 will fit under an 80 too, though your clearance is shot.

 

[Greg B]

Another idea would be to fasten the skid plate to the tire, then use the regular "winch" to raise the whole thing up and down. You wouldn't have to fool with crawling around in the mud or anything to undo bolts. Think how much it would suck to be in a suit under your truck, on the side of the watterson in the rain unscrewing bolts at 5pm on a friday.

Well, I wouldn't want to change a tire in that situation you described no matter where the spare was! But I do see your point. Also, nice to see another KY person here. You're the second in a week! I also ran across Jukelemon in Lexington. I'd love to get an outing going with some of you guys this spring/summer.

 

[Greg B]

By the way, thanks to all of you for sharing your insight on the spare sizes. Its definitely given me some things to think about.