thread - retro fitting 2nd gen tire carrier on a 3rd gen 4Runner

[DirtDawg]

I would definitely add some kind of bracing to the back of that sheet metal if you haven't yet. It looks like it is already bending the sheet metal...

 

[revenantdead]

I like it. good work thor. reinforce it later when you get the chance.

 

[HCurphy]

props

 

[fightman80]

That looks pretty sweet man!

 

[thorridder]

thanks all, she is getting there

 

[JohnsD90]

Looks good all cleaned up!

 

[racerunner]

I'm just curious...... Why do so many of you hate on Thorrider so much for?

I was wondering the same thing. I can think of a few more annoying people on this forum, but anyways came out good thorrider nice 4runner.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I don't think I've ever "hated" on you before, Thor. I'm usually the type that if I don't have anything nice to say, I won't say anything at all. However, I was really looking forward to seeing you complete this project. I had a feeling you'd post some pictures, and as far as I know you're the first and only person who has ever done it AND documented how.

I stand by my comment that it looked pretty rigged at first. You drilled some holes and bolted it on. That is the very definition of "Just slapping it on there".

I still think it needs to be reinforced, and I hope anyone who follows in your footsteps will consider reinforcing theirs. With a little time and effort, I think the cosmetics could be cleaned up to where it would look pretty nice.

Again, job well done on trying something new, and on making it work with what you've got. Would I do it that way on my truck? Hell NO. But like others have said, it's not my truck.

 

[Chill will]

This is a great mod for the $ spent. Nice that it's all Yota looking forward to see the finished product.

 

[thorridder]

with what limited resources and time i had to do this, this being my first write-up, almost zero help from anyone, and this being the only write-up on it, i think it turned out pretty good. its not a science, its a reference.

and the fact of the total cost being so low. i picked up the carrier for $50 on CL and spent $20 at Lowes for b hardware.

and i am still trying to think how to make the reinforcement work, will probably do it when it warms up.

 

[hungryeddy]

Great work Thor! Will definitely consider doing this after its been on your truck for a while... i'm curious to see how you're going to reinforce it. I love how it looks!

 

[rickashay]

Props for making it work Thor, and venturing into uncharted waters....

I actually like the idea of a body-mounted swing out if properly re-enforced. I think the dual pivot points would hold up better to the leverage vs. single pivot swing-outs like on aftermarket rear bumpers. I was thinking though, it would be pretty slick if someone would just use the factory latch hardware and even the factory swing-out portion, but custom fab the actual pivot points/mounts to fit more snug to the body. Damnit, I dont need to start thinking like this.....

 

[thorridder]

Props for making it work Thor, and venturing into uncharted waters....

I actually like the idea of a body-mounted swing out if properly re-enforced. I think the dual pivot points would hold up better to the leverage vs. single pivot swing-outs like on aftermarket rear bumpers. I was thinking though, it would be pretty slick if someone would just use the factory latch hardware and even the factory swing-out portion, but custom fab the actual pivot points/mounts to fit more snug to the body. Damnit, I dont need to start thinking like this.....

hahahaha yeah thats what happens. the carrier contours to the hatch really nice like really. but the hinges have to be right on top of each other, but to mount it to the body, that part is angled, so when it opened it flexes some and im not sure if when i do a skeleton how well it will open. if you get that. i have noticed some small cracks in the paint in the little groove thats there, but they may have been there before and i just didnt notice. but it seem to be holding up still.

 

[absalom]

I like it! Well done

 

[GottaBeTRD]

Thanks for the kind words Thor, i admit that there are some things that you have done to your rig that I wouldn't do, and I apologize if i made that known in a negative way, but I think this goes for a lot of people's rigs on the forum. We all have our own taste and ideas and I expect people not to like things i have done as well. Of course there's nothing like people complimenting you on your truck, and for that i appreciate those have done so.

Thor I think this is a good way to do this mod on a budget for sure. I don't think i would have the balls to mount that to my quarter panel, I still trying to pump myself up for hacking up my grill lol! but I think this will be a good reference and we can see how it does down the road. It's a good prototype and a different way to do a very useful mod.

If there was some way you could fab up some sort of plastic or fiberglass piece to cover that metal, IMO That would make it way clean!
And your 4runner still looks like one of a kind, and props to you for pushing through all the negativity

 

[chimpy]

I don't know you Thorridder but hats off:hatsoff: to you for having a vision and following through on it. I think that's what you call being a pioneer.Gotta love the low cost. Thanks for posting this project.

 

[Stockwell45]

If I had 5 dollars for every post that said to reinforce the sheet metal...

Don't let them get you down, they just don't have the balls to do this project themselves. I like it, and who cares if it isn't showroom quality, you don't seem like the kind of guy who makes things for the purpose of looking good at the mall.

Those hinges should hold up nicely, I doubt you'll be jumping your 4runner or anything. Hell, I'd say it looks stronger than the hinge that's on my bumper.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Don't let them get you down, they just don't have the balls to do this project themselves. I like it, and who cares if it isn't showroom quality, you don't seem like the kind of guy who makes things for the purpose of looking good at the mall.

The fact that most people here won't just drill a bunch of holes in the side of their rig, and start bolting things onto it, has less to do with "balls" and more to do with the fact that most people do care about not only the appearance, but the resale value of their vehicle.

Not all people who want their vehicles to look good do it because they want to look good at the mall. And for those of us that wheel our rigs, the fact that we do doesn't mean our rigs have to look like crap.

Thor is a big boy people, let him stick up for himself.

 

[thorridder]

now thats stuff i like to hear guys :banana:

but im looking for a cover. need a plastic tray thing thats 3x4x20, and another 3x4x10. but they make them but the basket ones that have holes. im not greatly worried for now but im looking for sure.


on the other side, had this license cover that was broke in half when i got it all like they backed into a tree. used JB weld type stuff to meld it back together over night and was sanding it all down, hand got tired for now. but was super surprised to find it was ALL chrome. i knew it was plastic but them it turned shinny it would look SSSSOOOOO bad all chrome on the back... getting the lights and this on tomorrow. was super windy today and it wont fit in the garage.

 

[Stockwell45]

The fact that most people here won't just drill a bunch of holes in the side of their rig, and start bolting things onto it, has less to do with "balls" and more to do with the fact that most people do care about not only the appearance, but the resale value of their vehicle.

Not all people who want their vehicles to look good do it because they want to look good at the mall. And for those of us that wheel our rigs, the fact that we do doesn't mean our rigs have to look like crap.

Thor is a big boy people, let him stick up for himself.

I guess I phrased that wrong and put it a little bluntly, I didn't mean to put anyone down by that. I just meant that I admired his creativity with this project, and that most people wouldn't attempt it and I think thats really cool.