new addition to the spare tire swing

[ForOffRoadDriving]

im just copying this from my build thread -

so over my 4 day weekend i managed to make a few more mods to the ranger, unfortunately they dont included finished tail light guards. the first mod was an interior mod, i was lucky enough to match the interior almost perfectly.

after i played around with the car seat for a while and got side tracked from what i was really doing (helping my dad trouble shoot his stereo and speakers in the purple ranger); i made up a template for my bumper and tire carrier so that i can keep it open when i need to use the bed extender.

after driving up to work with the gate bolted in the open position i decided that id like to be able to remove the bracket without needing 2 9/16 wrenches, so i stopped by the hardware store on the way back home and picked up some clevis pins and wire clips (after i removed the driveshaft in the parking lot at work so that i could use our press to replace the carrier bearing which was growling, which also lead to replacing a worn out u-joint).

i bought a different pin for the bumper anchor, but i didnt like how it fit so i picked up another wire pin today that im going to drill for a hair pin clip like the others have.

on my lunch break i added a pair of gussets and drilled the short pin to accept the hair pin clip. when i was showing my co-workers the pics earlier they commented that i needed some kind of flag on the end of the swing to avoid any unwanted attention from johnny law, so being a hi-tech redneck i had a solution!

 

[02RangerXLT]

Maybe throw a couple stick-on reflectors on the thing...?

Looks good!

 

[BONES]

Cool idea!

So that plate that captures the carrier when it's open attaches with the one clip at the swing out pivot bearing? How stable is it, does it move around much when driving?

I like this idea, would love to do something like it on my 1ton tow rig so when I have the 8.5 foot camper on and the tail gate is down, I'll still have the spare with me.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

its got a little bit of play in it but i plan on using some fiber washers or maybe some rubber washers between the bracket and spring to tighten up the pins and isolate the bracket and swing from eachother. ive got all the paint stripped off now so it will soon be in the paint stage.

 

[lethal-threat-b288]

nice, im still waiting on my bumper/tire carrier and light guards from you!!!

 

[lethal-threat-b288]

what seats do you have in that thing?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

im still waiting to get a little extra money to spend on refilling my torch gas, then i will be able to bend up the guards. the seats are out of an escort zx2, i got them excellent condition from a friend at work for $50. i had to make up some adapter plates since the seat frame was narrower than the base of the seat, but they fit nicely and theyre comfortable.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

got some more pics from my lunch break, i decided i wanted to make one last change before i sprayed on the paint, so i took the angle grinder to it again and clearanced the braket so that it can swing closed without having to take all the pins out. its kind of hard to see in the pics, especially since i didnt take any pics with the swing closed to give you and idea of what it looks like.

the bracket is hanging up in the shop right now and the flat black paint is drying, so i guess i can call this mod finished? on to the axle regear now!

 

[BONES]

You certainly got me thinking now.

I'd make the swing out carrier short for my rig so I can tow the car trailer without interfering with the spare when it's out the side too. Right now I have no place for my spare, it sits in the bed when the bed is empty or stays home when I need the bed space, like when I have my 8.5 foot camper loaded up, sucks cause I would hate to get a flat without my spare and I really dislike the front bumper mounted spares I see around. Having it under the truck is ridiculous IMO, worst place for it and the 33" tire wont fit under there anyways.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

its painted and pinned in the travel position, i guess i can call this mod finished! now over to the axle section for my gear swap........

 

[Steeda04SVT]

Where did you get that rear bumper from?

 

[Surrey]

Where did you get that rear bumper from?

Taking a guess here... From his welder and some metal.

 

[bilzy7]

BTW nice tires lol

 

[Steeda04SVT]

Taking a guess here... From his welder and some metal.

Whatever it is, I like it.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

yeah. i built it from a piece of channel and some flat diamond plate. same for the swing and the rest of the truck. the bracket proved itself very useful the other day, when i had to move a queen size bed to the ex-father-in-laws new appartment!

i also added another light tab to my front bumper