alternative solution to spare tire after rusted cable?

[odoyle81]

Hi guys,
I have a 1995 4runner and experienced the classic rusted spare tire / cable issue and I had to cut the cable. Sooooo, I'm trying to come up with a cheap way to store a spare tire without running into this issue again, I couldn't find much when searching online for creative solutions to this. I can't seem to find a cheap chain assembly (and I never had the correct rod to slide into the slot from the tailgate to work the assembly anyways!), so I'm thinking I can just get some cable from home depot and clip around the tire and manually hoist into place and then secure chain with a lock to part of the frame?? Better ideas? Reasons why this is not a good idea?
I would appreciate any engineering insight etc, maybe an inexpensive pulley I could get at home depot etc?

Here is some photos of what I am working with:
the first one is the part that fits underneath the tire
the second and third are the undercarriage showing the many opportunities for threading some chain around parts of the frame..

 

[RogueGeography]

If you have roof racks and a way to leverage it up, you can put it there.

You could weld a bar or two on a hinge to put the tire on, then have a lock to keep it in place in the regular spare area while you drive.

I have seen people put a roll bar in the back end and put their tire between the bar and the wall either near the storage pocket or over the wheel well.

 

[odoyle81]

Thanks for the ideas - I am getting a roof box and the back is being built out to sleep in so there really isn't room other than the spare tire area underneath. I don't have welding skills, but that is an intriguing idea.
Anyone else have ideas??

 

[fourwd1]

You probably don't want the weight of a spare on your roof. That much weight that high will really affect your center of balance.
I have a 36" spare tucked between the roll bar and tail gate. With the back seat down I can sleep just fine.

 

[odoyle81]

What is an example of the roll bar you guys are referring to? I'm not picturing how that would work, thanks!

 

[fourwd1]

The stock roll bar over the rear seats.

 

[RogueGeography]

The tire in the one I saw goes between the diagonal tube and the wall. I don't think it was a first generation stock roll bar in the original position.

 

[4Runner fun]

Tire carrier

The old one survived how long? I'm thinking any other option would cost more and take time to configure. would asking for a factory replacement from members not be an option?
and then doing maintenance regularly


P.S. I have a clean California one I just removed from my 1997. as soon as I get 15 in I can post a picture. lol

 

[RogueGeography]

He doesn't have the rod to release the cable to get the spare.

 

[RogueGeography]

Looking at pics of what roll bars look like in 1st Gens, you can wedge it over the wheel well in between the bars, then use a rope, chain, or ratchet tie down to keep it in place.

But getting a 1st Gen roll bar is a second gen takes a little modification to the 4runner itself. I think you are looking for an easier solution, unless you started to think it would be cool to have a roll bar.

You can use two ratchet straps and a piece of rope if you are looking for a real quick and dirty.

• One strap from the rear seat belt holder up in he air by the ceiling down to the tie down loop by the wheel well
• Another from that seat belt loop to the far back tie down loop
• Slide the tire in there over the wheel well
• Use some rope to secure it in some way in there, maybe tying the ratchets on the ratchet straps together and tying the wheel to both ratchets?

 

[Dropzone]

Hi guys,
I have a 1995 4runner

The stock roll bar over the rear seats.

first post says 95, he would need to mount the rollbar froom a first gen...

 

[fourwd1]

My bad, read that wrong, thought it was a 1985.

 

[Dropzone]

if you don't want to add a 1st gen roll bar you could try finding a 2nd gen 90-91 factory swing out.
[MENTION=134144]1UZrunner[/MENTION] hooked me up with one I threw on my 94
4runner rack back by ocdropzone, on Flickr

 

[odoyle81]

Wow, thanks guys! Yup it is 95 so no roll bar - I like the swing out idea but I have a bike rack on the back and I don't think they would work together.
How much is the factory replacement? I couldn't find it (it sounds like they replaced the cable with a chain?). If anyone has one I would be open to that idea, it was just such a huge pain to cut that cable, I don't want to ever risk that again.

 

[Dropzone]

on ebay here is a new one for $149
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Pic...tTL0lH:sc:USPSPriorityFlatRateBox!97078!US!-1
ebay used $52
https://www.ebay.com/itm/90-91-92-9...741328?hash=item4d7cb558d0:g:3RwAAOSwfk9bauFB

and since you are in Colorado you have two big toyota boneyards
Jim's Used Toyota Truck Parts
Yota Yard - Toyota and Lexus Salvage Yard

 

[4Runner fun]

Wow, thanks guys! Yup it is 95 so no roll bar - I like the swing out idea but I have a bike rack on the back and I don't think they would work together.
How much is the factory replacement? I couldn't find it (it sounds like they replaced the cable with a chain?). If anyone has one I would be open to that idea, it was just such a huge pain to cut that cable, I don't want to ever risk that again.

I removed the whole setup off of my 97, and I have a setup for a first gen also.
1gens have a chain. my 3rd gen is a cable
I'll take a look and see what I have.

 

[sweetbeats]

My ‘89 doesn’t have a spare right now. It’s rolling on 35” tires. I’m thinking that won’t fit underneath. Does anybody make a swing-away for the 1st gen?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[4Runner fun]

Spare tire

Would this workout?

 

[SCZFZJ]

I always keep mine on the roof rack. Sweet rig!

 

[odoyle81]

Hi guys, want to close the loop on this (for now!). This is what I removed (after having to drill a rusted bolt out!!)



and this was my solution - cost about $25 and maybe 1.5 hrs of time. I didn't really want to trust one solution, so I used a chain, cable, and ratchet strap (the ratchet strap is mostly to make it easier to raise and lower). I'm actually not sure how long the ratchet strap will last being exposed to the elements.. but at least none of these components are susceptible to the issues that plagued the over engineered cable pulley assembly, and way cheaper!
not pictured but needed - a couple of these 1/4" steel quick links to attach the chain to itself, and run the cable through so it isn't rubbing against raw steel frame..

Here is it before I raised it up:


Here is it all tightened up:



The chain and cable are both attached to a padlock attached to the frame.


Hope this helps anyone who may be interested in something like this.

I will let you know if I see a spare tire on the road behind me soon, haha...