A cool product for those who have re-located their spare tire- by BudBuilt

[MeBe4running]

When I was at Bud's shop three weeks ago getting the final fitting's for the passengers side battery tray done he mentioned a product he'd made for the underneath of the 5th Gen for those who have relocated their spare tire. It is basically a skidplate that holds three 4 gallon rotopax fuel cells that is recessed into the preexisting spare tire location a hosted up and down via the factory spare tire pulley system.

I was intrigued to find out more and asked him to kindly send me some images... well I got them yesterday and thought I would share with people here to see what their thoughts are? Its pretty neat huh!

A few observations I have made:
Pros: Great Security- Great use of space- Durable-
Disadvantages/Possible issues: Pulley system could cease up- Kind of a pain to lower and put back up if re-filling is required frequently (long trips)

What else....?

Either way I must say Bud and the way he thinks is pretty ingenious!

I am not sure when these will be available to purchase.

 

[kowski49]

That's pretty sweet. I'd like it even better if it was flush with the underbelly, but of course you couldn't carry as much.

 

[adio3x]

I love the idea. Think that could work with our hefty fabs, I haven't really looked under there lol? I would go with 2 and make it more flush with the rear bumper. It would clear up some space on the rack, so I could get an autohome:hungry:

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I would rather put in a 10 gallon auxillary tank with a skid and maybe a small air tank, if there is enough room. From the pictures I agree about it being flush. Good idea though, just needs some tweaking in my opinion.

 

[Okki]

maybe a small air tank.

^^^^ THIS ^^^^
with as little room as there is for an air tank on our trucks, I'd rather see an air tank up there. If you are planning on moving the air-chuck to the rear like Jangoforhire did and I've got the parts laying on my work bench for.. that location would be VERY easy to plumb. Being able to drop it would make it easy to swap out the tank or perform maintenance on it.

Maybe one Rotopax and 1 tank (or two smaller cylinders in parallel to keep the height down).

Okki

 

[MeBe4running]

kowski49- That's pretty sweet. I'd like it even better if it was flush with the underbelly, but of course you couldn't carry as much

Agreed

adio3x- I love the idea. Think that could work with our hefty fabs, I haven't really looked under there lol? I would go with 2 and make it more flush with the rear bumper. It would clear up some space on the rack, so I could get an autohome:hungry:

Good question. I don't see why not but wouldn't be able to confirm unless I bought one. Side note and off-topic, Chris at Hefty told me he has sold 3 more rear bumpers. I'm curious to see them as I know the only marketing done for it was here on T4r. Yet I haven't seen any pictures. Have you?

Yes on the Autohome, thrilled with mine. I wish you the best of luck with their SHOCKING customer service though. I felt like a school teacher during our transaction, consistently having to remind them and chase up what was going on with the order. To be fair it was dealt with correctly in the end but boy.... what a pain in the A** and 8 months later! So if your going to get one for the summer you might start exploring options and doing your due-diligence.

mikey2010sr5-I would rather put in a 10 gallon auxillary tank with a skid and maybe a small air tank, if there is enough room. From the pictures I agree about it being flush. Good idea though, just needs some tweaking in my opinion

Fair enough. Question, how does aux- fuel tanks work for you out in places like CA where the EPA are so strict? Is there a guideline in order to pass SMOG etc...? I'm curious....

^^^^ THIS ^^^^
with as little room as there is for an air tank on our trucks, I'd rather see an air tank up there. If you are planning on moving the air-chuck to the rear like Jangoforhire did and I've got the parts laying on my work bench for.. that location would be VERY easy to plumb. Being able to drop it would make it easy to swap out the tank or perform maintenance on it.

Maybe one Rotopax and 1 tank (or two smaller cylinders in parallel to keep the height down).

Okki

Well I agree, and when I finally get around to it, mine is going up under the front left fender and possibly a 1.5 on the right side. So ruleing out the space for a tank back there for me.

 

[STLDAVE]

^^^^ THIS ^^^^
with as little room as there is for an air tank on our trucks, I'd rather see an air tank up there. If you are planning on moving the air-chuck to the rear like Jangoforhire did and I've got the parts laying on my work bench for.. that location would be VERY easy to plumb. Being able to drop it would make it easy to swap out the tank or perform maintenance on it.

Maybe one Rotopax and 1 tank (or two smaller cylinders in parallel to keep the height down).

Okki

Something like this? http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/118502-narks-tinkerings-build-thread.html#post1103480

 

[NorthWest 4R]

I am interested in how he thinks the factory spare tire pulley system will handle all that weight offroad. Looks to be made out of 1/8" steel, with some 3/16" bracing in spots, and am just guessing the weight to be around 30 lbs if not more.

so roughly,

30 lbs storage box
15 lbs weight of three dry RotopaX
72 lbs in 12 gallons of fuel

117 lbs total

The spare wheel/tire it is designed to hold, weighs around 70 lbs. Can it take almost double the weight while being slammed around offroad, and dropping of ledges? :shrug:

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

Clever design!

 

[Jeremy556]

The spare wheel/tire it is designed to hold, weighs around 70 lbs. Can it take almost double the weight while being slammed around offroad, and dropping of ledges? :shrug:

Duty cycle also. Spare lift is no doubt only designed for occasional use.

 

[wbpolk]

I know this is a old thread, but i was doing a google search and this came up. this is a great use of the empty space, has anyone done more leg work on this?