'85 Ranger Restomod

[85_Ranger4x4]

I wonder how it would look molded into the gate.

The world will never know, I want it to be removable.

 

[Ramcharger90]

The world will never know, I want it to be removable.

Well whats the point if it isnt?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I just got the last two pieces for my tire carrier today... the poly ramp and the carrier plate. Hopefully tomorrow I will get to start on it. I got the passenger side hinge also... once I get the cross bar together I will see exactly where the tire will go. My current plan is pretty much off to the passenger side just as yours is. I would like centered and I don't think the hinge will care less where the tire ends up. These hinges are really robust. It all depends on how much real estate there will be on either side for other things I want to do.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well whats the point if it isnt?

I don't care for the look of a rear spare tire on a truck that doesn't have a topper. So I want it to be easlily deletable if I take the topper off. Right now with my current setup I unlatch the latch and remove one bolt and the swinging spare tire carrier is off the the truck with only the hinge bracket and latch lug remaining on the bumper.

I just got the last two pieces for my tire carrier today... the poly ramp and the carrier plate. Hopefully tomorrow I will get to start on it. I got the passenger side hinge also... once I get the cross bar together I will see exactly where the tire will go. My current plan is pretty much off to the passenger side just as yours is. I would like centered and I don't think the hinge will care less where the tire ends up. These hinges are really robust. It all depends on how much real estate there will be on either side for other things I want to do.

It is less force on the hinge, the crossbar, the bumper... everything to have the tire offset. It may help with rearward visability somewhat too (ideally it would be better to have it to the drivers side for that though) Having the jerry can sit flat to the tailgate rather than perpandicular is less stress on it too, it isn't hanging off the back of the swinging carrier as much. I may be overdesigning it but when it comes to that much weight and with 40# of that being gasoline I do not want it breaking off my truck.

It is still somewhat in flux. I have decided to go to a EFI low pressure in-tank fuel pump which will fix my fuel sender and largely negate the need for a Jerry can. I still kinda want one though... it would look neat, be a period accessory and may still come in handy on my adventures.

It also would be nice to have a table on the back side of the spare I could flip down to make roadside sandwich or if I need a workbench on the trail too. Having the tire and jerry can supports to build off of would also play into that. Something like this:

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

One of my old F350 work trucks had a 1/4" thick steel plate on the tailgate so that when it was open it was a workbench. Absolutely loved that.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I don't think there is a wrong way...

I noticed the drop down table too... I like it. Mine will probably stay on all the time as will my cap.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't think there is a wrong way...

Nope. That is the neat thing about building your own, it can be however you want it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well I did it, I ordered the blank to make this:



I will have to cut the notches out of the top and the angles on the sides... and everything else. But I will have an oddly sized piece of channel iron to build off of.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That should look good.

What thickness did you get?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

7ga, just a hair thinner than 3/16”

 

[Uncle Gump]

There is a little weight trade off... but it should be a nice heavy duty bumper.

 

[ericbphoto]

You're off to a good start.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There is a little weight trade off... but it should be a nice heavy duty bumper.

Yeah, this whole thing is going to add a fair amount of weight hanging off the back.

Combined with the heavy topper I have already dragged my Explorer springs out of the barn...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

"we might get it worked in this week"

Two days later: "its done!"

 

[Uncle Gump]

Nice… the sparks will fly.

It just hit me why your render looked off to me... no step pad.

You planning for clevises and/or hitch receiver?