Moved Spare Tire.

To help even out the weight and to simply get it out of the way of my new rear bumper; I moved the spare from the rear bumper to under the Cat between the landing gear. This gives plenty of room to plug what ever I feel like hauling into the receiver and balances out the added weight of the new and much heavier rear bumper/receiver hitch.

We first modified the existing carrier by removing the 5"x8" box from the upright support. We then welded a 2" wide strip of metal where the upright support was before. This gave me the same depth so the tire would snug up flat against the bottom of the Cat.


We also spot welded the studs the mount. Make for much easier alignement of the wheel on the studs without them flopping around.


Painted and ready to install.


In our front storage compartment there is a an upper and lower section. Where the upper section of sheet metal steps down to meet the lower section of sheet metal there is a about a 2" wide section of double metal. Its here where I measured to find the center of the compartment and drilled my first hole through the floor of the storage compartment. I also drilled a hole in the center of the new fabbed spare carrier and installed a 3/8" bolt through the floor and new carrier. After tightening the carrier to the floor I drilled two more holes. One on each side of the center hole through the floor and carrier at the same time. Installed two more 3/8" bolts with nyloc nuts.

Here is from inside the Cat storage. The center bolt is directly in the center of the carrier above the lug studs. The other bolts are on each side of the lug studs. I added fender washers after the pic.


Installed Spare. Fits snug as a bug right up tight against the metal floor of the Cat.


I can easily drill another hole for a cable and hand crank to lower the tire if needed. For now she's staying as is. Hopefully I will not be using it too often anyway. Hopefully!

This is a mod. I like very much.Gets that dang tire out of the way.Looks great MountainMan.

I really need to do this mod. Since I added a custom basket to the rear I now have nowhere to put the spare. Have you had any problems with the cargo floor flexing from the weight of the tire? I also have front stabilizers so I will have to check clearance before drilling.

I hate to say it but being and old broke d**k Vet I luv were my spare is. I can walk and grab it like I do my wife and off I go. Now getting it back up there my take my son, park employee, or any volunteer. Heck with that I got tire insurance. I just call the repair guy and let him bust one getting it taken care of. Also I would hate to try this mod since I have a generator installed.

Thanks very much for the photos. I plan to move my spare to this location and your information will be very helpful.

AWSOME !!!! Great job...My next project...

I did this last year. Had to use the spare shortly after I moved it. I will say you will be happy with it there. Nice Work

I did it last year too. Notice the date of my post.

Bayoudude - I've had no problems with the moved spare. I think its important to bolt through the double layers of metal to minimize flex. Also be sure your tire fits snug up against the bottom.

I added large fender washer after the pics as well.

We are loving the new rear bumper and relocated spare. Two mods that are a must for every 5er we own from now on.

I used two steel plates and some small angle iron to keep snug. Did you put in a crank yet. I was thinking of adding after having to use spare.

No. I haven't added the crank but I haven't needed the spare yet either. Now that I said that I'll have a flat next trip out.

I have a buddy that says he has the perfect little crank system for me to use on the Cat. I haven't seen it yet but he knows exactly what I was looking for. I'll post a pic or two when I get it and install it.

Sounds good. Thanks

Completed my spare tire move yesterday. Completed exactly as this mod was done and it worked perfect. Thanks for the pics and the ideas.

Do any of you that have done this mod have stabilizers on your landing gear? My rig came from the dealership with JT stabilizers and I think moving the tire as ya'll have done might interfere.

Sorry no stabilizers on my rig.

As soon as I get my strength back I will have a go at this mod then I could do my back bumper for my cycle rack.
Sean

I've had to use our spare so many times I don't even mount it on the bumper anymore! I just lay it in the back of the truck. Grace and I have tire changing down to an art - takes us less than 15 minutes with both of us working on it.
Hopefully the new Maxxis tires will put an end to all that.