My new addition

tyhuck · May 25, 2012

Spent the last few couple of weeks fabbing this up. I decided I needed a full size spare, but there was no way it was going to fit under my truck. I also wanted to clean up the rear and raise the departure angle a few inches. Thats why I came up with this.

The mounts are 1/2" plate and the large hooped "hitch plate" is also 1/2". Between the frame mounts is a piece of 3"x3"x1/4" wall square tubing that ties the receiver to the mounts. That should be tons stronger than the factory receiver hitch (not that Im gonna carry anything heavier than I did before). Everything else is 1/4" plate. The tire carrier is 1/8", 2"x2" square tubing.

I got the spindle kit from A to Z Fabrication, and it is supposedly rated to cary a 37" tire. It seems good and strong, as it should be for $75. Its tied into the 1/4" . but there is also a piece of 3"x3"x1/4" wall square tubing under there that is welded solid to the 1/2" frame mount. It aint goin nowhere...I hope.

I added a grease fitting and a locking pin from Synergy Suspension. I also moved the liscence plate and added a new light. The plastic sleeve is covering the wire to the LP light.

Everything clears the tailgate nicely.

I am not happy with the latching system, so I will have to change that some day. Ive only got about 3/16" of clearance with the tailgate down so a conventional lock that most people use on Jeep bumpers will not work. Its a work in progress. Im also not happy with the way the plate for the trailer light plug turned out. It looks bad to me, but I did salvage the factory trailer light plug.

demech23 · May 25, 2012

Looks awesome. Plus now there are no worries of the spair tire winch hanging up.

jdelrizzle · May 25, 2012

Nice man, I really like your truck it's real freakin clean!

KMGZ400 · May 25, 2012

looks different, but it looks really cool. needs a roof rack and lights and jack to top it off

jaredthomas27 · May 25, 2012

sweet!

kstruckcountry · May 25, 2012

Matches the front well. Which I could fab up something that nice

tyhuck · May 25, 2012

Thanks guys. My goal was to make the truck stand out, but not be over the top and excessively flashy, and still maintain some functionality as a worker/DD/hunting vehicle. I didnt want to go too tall because pulling a 250 lb wild hog into the bed of a truck much taller is a real job.

Plus it was built on a modest budget with a 7' garage door as a restriction. Thats why there are no lights or roof racks on it.

oldschool327 · May 25, 2012

Very nice indeed

jlr860 · May 25, 2012

What would a third brake light behind that spare tire look like? That wrie cover got me thinking you had that set up then I noticed it was the plate light.

BlackZ71Silverado · May 25, 2012

Looks good...Always good to have a full size spare, doesn't make sense not to.

tyhuck · May 25, 2012

What would a third brake light behind that spare tire look like? That wrie cover got me thinking you had that set up then I noticed it was the plate light.

There is one on the camper, so one on the carrier would be kinda redundant, I think.

KMGZ400 · May 25, 2012

id like to see what it looks like without the cap

99silveradoz71 · May 26, 2012

That's some nice work there to make it work for you

tyhuck · May 26, 2012

id like to see what it looks like without the cap

Right now the camper is painted with a gloss paint, but does not have a clear coat on it. Im probably gonna take the cap off and scuff and clear it within the next week or so. Ill snap some pics when we take it off.