Rear tire carrier with stock bumper idea!

Thurlo76

Thurlo76

New member
I had an 87' 4runner and i went the whole lifting it with big bumpers and tires and such, i loved it but it got to the point where it was just to... "off road looking" for me. it sounds dumb but i just lost interest in it and i want to go a different route for my 97'. ive always loved the vehicles that are just clean and lifted a little bit.

that being said, i have also always loved the spare tire being mounted on the back of the rig and i made a hitch mounted carrier on my last rig (dont want to go that route again) but i wanted to keep my stock bumper for now. i saw this and thought it was perfect! I more than likely will make something like this next summer but i wanted to see if (before i start drawing stuff up) anyone had any ideas/tips they could give me on this subject.

Rear Tire Carrier

anyone with pictures of items on this subject are more than welcome to post them up!!!
 
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Oh that's a great Idea. I can't say I have any advice but I'll be following to see how it goes for you! Cause I would do that myself in time!
 
That is pretty clever. Only difference I can see is that I believe the land cruiser's bumper is mounted to the frame while the 4runner's is mounted to the body, so there may be some interference or rubbing when the body and frame are twisted up. I'm not really sure how much the body moves on the frame, but I think the concept would still work.
 
i didnt know that...... hhhhmmmmmm....... maybe then make the hole a little bigger to allow for a little flex. Im a college student and i dont have any intentions of taking this thing off road (nothing to crazy that is) until after i graduate. This tire carrier would be more for looks than actual functionality off road. If i ever go crazy 4x4 with this thing i will build my own bumpers.

right now i just want the damn tire on the back because i like the look of it haha thats about it plain and simple... thanks for the bumper/frame advice. i hadnt looked into it that much, i will go out and take a look at what i have maybe start the drawings next week.
 
i like the looks of this one...been thinking about it for a bit...
89b63ff1.jpg~original

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that is sweet! I thought about building the carrier off of my tow package also but i like the look of the carrier held tight against the vehicle, thats why i was thinking on the rear bumper. that would get it as close as i can and it would keep that "tight look" that i enjoy. as bad as it may sound i really like how the jeeps have the tire mounted strait to the tailgate. im shooting for something tight like that!

the ladder would be awesome! i might actually do something like that! i want a roof rack and that would sure help! thanks for that!
 
The bumper is a relatively thin piece of sheet metal. I personally don't think it will hold up to the weight of a tire without twisting/bending over time (maybe right away depending on the size of the tire and also the weight of the rim - steel vs.aluminum).. And yes, the rear bumper is only attached to the body and not the frame.

I have seen people retro-fit 2nd gen stock tire-carriers on 3rd gens (which are bolted to the rear quarter panel of the body). IIRC, most people reinforce the quarter panel behind the tail light for added strength on the 3rd gen.
 
brian2sun said:
The bumper is a relatively thin piece of sheet metal. I personally don't think it will hold up to the weight of a tire without twisting/bending over time (maybe right away depending on the size of the tire and also the weight of the rim - steel vs.aluminum).. And yes, the rear bumper is only attached to the body and not the frame.

I have seen people retro-fit 2nd gen stock tire-carriers on 3rd gens (which are bolted to the rear quarter panel of the body). IIRC, most people reinforce the quarter panel behind the tail light for added strength on the 3rd gen.
Click to expand...

The writeup in the OP has a steel arm welded to the frame that holds the weight of the carrier spindle. The bumper doesn't carry any weight other than the latching mechanism.
 
mien4x4 said:
i agree about the carrier tuck up as close to the body as possible. check out my tire carrier build i raised the hitch up to where my bumber is

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/129682-my-tire-carrier-build.html
Click to expand...

thats sweet! i like the hitch being tucked up like that. Ive seen that same thing but having the stock bumper over it. I would just be afraid of hauling something heavy and having the welds fail. Thats a lawsuit i wouldnt want... how has yours held up? do you haul heavy trailers and such with it?
 
Thurlo76 said:
thats sweet! i like the hitch being tucked up like that. Ive seen that same thing but having the stock bumper over it. I would just be afraid of hauling something heavy and having the welds fail. Thats a lawsuit i wouldnt want... how has yours held up? do you haul heavy trailers and such with it?
Click to expand...

no i dnt tow anything heavy like trailers r boats but i am plannin to renforce the hitch bracket in case i do but ill probly go out in the country side and test tow a bout or trailer to see if it can hold up
 
^ that is such a good idea! And that looks sweet! pretty much exactly what id be going for! I think i want to do something like this but try to keep the stock bumper there just for a skin over the main carrier. I have the chrome bumper so i think i could keep that there for the "pretty" factor of things... but yes... this is a great idea and if i didnt want to keep the chrome id pretty much copy this!
 
mien4x4 said:
no i dnt tow anything heavy like trailers r boats but i am plannin to renforce the hitch bracket in case i do but ill probly go out in the country side and test tow a bout or trailer to see if it can hold up
Click to expand...

ya thats what i was kind of worried about. i haul stuff way to often to take any chances. i have faith in my welds for bumpers and such but i wouldnt trust many welds with hauling something that could come off and kill people... i do love the look though! great job!
 
Have trust in the guy welding for you! I might just have to build one of these for my 93! Let me know Thurlo76 if i need to make 2.
 
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