Rear spare tire thoughts

[seventwozero]

Originally Posted by guruerror

While it met my needs at the time I've since moved the tire to a modded external carrier and am most pleased with this configuration as I'd just rather have more internal space available.

One other thing to consider is that when I did this mod I was running the stock 35s. I believe it would work with a slightly larger tire (37 or 38) but can't say for sure.

If your referring to the modded carrier working with a 37+ sized tire, it does, although the extra width of the tire causes it to bump up against the carrier and not sit flat around the bolts.

I had a local shop chop mine and add 8" to the 'A' frame of it, the also angled it back towards the truck a couple degrees. I'm at work now, when I get some free time later I'll post a couple photos.

Coming from a truck that had the internal carrier, I'm pleased with the rear carrier. Up here, in the winter, the last thing I want to do is take a salty/sandy flat tire and throw it inside my clean interior, not to mention having to wrestle it onto that carrier inside. The added space is what I was after, and have accomplished that so I'm fairly content. Although, the swing out is a PITA if you are in and out of the back much, give and take I guess.

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by seventwozero

If your referring to the modded carrier working with a 37+ sized tire, it does, although the extra width of the tire causes it to bump up against the carrier and not sit flat around the bolts.

I had a local shop chop mine and add 8" to the 'A' frame of it, the also angled it back towards the truck a couple degrees. I'm at work now, when I get some free time later I'll post a couple photos.

Coming from a truck that had the internal carrier, I'm pleased with the rear carrier. Up here, in the winter, the last thing I want to do is take a salty/sandy flat tire and throw it inside my clean interior, not to mention having to wrestle it onto that carrier inside. The added space is what I was after, and have accomplished that so I'm fairly content. Although, the swing out is a PITA if you are in and out of the back much, give and take I guess.

Actually I was referring to when I had the tire inside, lying flat in the cargo area...that worked well with my stock 35s, I was saying that I don't know if it would have worked with a larger tire 'cause I don't remember how much space I had left around it once it was in.

I eventually nixed that idea and went with an external carrier which I had modded as you described. One of my favorite mods...and cheap...

[seventwozero]

Originally Posted by guruerror

Actually I was referring to when I had the tire inside, lying flat in the cargo area...that worked well with my stock 35s, I was saying that I don't know if it would have worked with a larger tire 'cause I don't remember how much space I had left around it once it was in.

I eventually nixed that idea and went with an external carrier which I had modded as you described. One of my favorite mods...and cheap...

That's almost exactly what mine looks like, the mod is nearly identical, my carrier is the older style with the pin that drops in instead of the latch. I also made a receiver like 'hitch' for a license plate holder, right in the center of that center tube support for the wheel. It pins in place and has a disconnect for the plate lights. Are you running a 37" tire now? Does the tire touch your carrier when you bolt it up?

[guruerror]

Yeah...I was running BFG MT KM2 37x12.5x17s on the stock rims and it fit perfect; both the tire and rim made contact with the carrier.

37 with stock rim:


I've since moved to Rockstars and BFG MT KM2 37x12.5x18s. The shallower backspacing on the RSes moves the tire out further. The rim makes contact with the carrier but the tire does not...I meant to snap a pic this morning but forgot.