Spare tire carrier?

[slc10844]

I have a 1987 Ranger with stock tires and wheels. The spare tire carrier, the part the tire mounts to, badly rusted, looks like Swiss cheese, and I’m reluctant continue to use it. According to the dealer, the carrier for my truck fits 84-90 Rangers. I have been unable to locate a replacement for what is correct for my application but have found carriers for 1991-up that appears to be the same design. Does anyone know what the difference is or whether the later model carrier will work?

 

[Grumpaw]

Are you referring to the stamped sheet metal part the tire goes up into, or any of the separate components like the hoist ?
This part ?

 

[97RangerXLT]

I believe that the carrier that you are talking about did not change much from 83 to 97. my eye bolt rusted to the carrier and snapped off and I got one from the junkyard off of an 80s Ranger and it worked perfectly in my 97.

Grumpaw's picture shows the 98+ tire carrier, it is a completely different setup than the 83-97 version.

AJ

 

[Grumpaw]

WHOA....sorry bout that. Didn't realize the pic was from a later year.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Are you referring to the stamped sheet metal part the tire goes up into, or any of the separate components like the hoist ?
This part ?

No hoist on a first gen.

Pics courtesy of @1qaz's build thread:

You remove that big bolt at the back and the whole thing hinges down. That bolt is on a hinged strap that bolts onto the very rear crossmember with the two diagonal bolts above the license plate in the second pic.

The actual tire carrier is only secured by four bolts, easy JY nab. That rear crossmember is riveted in, pack a lunch if you need that.

I believe that the carrier that you are talking about did not change much from 83 to 97. my eye bolt rusted to the carrier and snapped off and I got one from the junkyard off of an 80s Ranger and it worked perfectly in my 97.

Grumpaw's picture shows the 98+ tire carrier, it is a completely different setup than the 83-97 version.

AJ

Interesting, you can fit a 31 in yours? I can't get a 31 in mine.

 

[Grumpaw]

Sorry, I was not aware of the major differences between years...
I'm going to go stand in the corner now.

 

[97RangerXLT]

No hoist on a first gen.

Pics courtesy of @1qaz's build thread:

You remove that big bolt at the back and the whole thing hinges down. That bolt is on a hinged strap that bolts onto the very rear crossmember with the two diagonal bolts above the license plate in the second pic.

The actual tire carrier is only secured by four bolts, easy JY nab. That rear crossmember is riveted in, pack a lunch if you need that.



Interesting, you can fit a 31 in yours? I can't get a 31 in mine.

actually I cannot. the truck came from the factory with 31" tires but the original spare is the 28 inch tires that most rangers had. for my 31" tire I throw it in the bed if I think I will need it. right now I am uising th tire carrier as another frame brace stiffener. no tire in it, the original 24 year old spare is sitting in the driveway.

AJ

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

actually I cannot. the truck came from the factory with 31" tires but the original spare is the 28 inch tires that most rangers had. for my 31" tire I throw it in the bed if I think I will need it. right now I am uising th tire carrier as another frame brace stiffener. no tire in it, the original 24 year old spare is sitting in the driveway.

AJ

Darn, I was hoping the later ones could hold a bigger tire.

For trips I wouldn't mind carrying both my spares.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Darn, I was hoping the later ones could hold a bigger tire.

For trips I wouldn't mind carrying both my spares.

the issue is not only the bar that swings down, it is the tube frame that connects to the frame rails. Because of the narrow frame, I am not sure that you can make a tire carrier that would hold a 31" tire to fit under the truck between the frame rails.... I did note that I could stuff a 31" tire if I let the air out of it

the picture below is from 2012 when I redid my spring hangers. that 28 inch tire fits the carrier pretty snuggly... doubt you could get much bigger in between the frame rails.

AJ

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

the issue is not only the bar that swings down, it is the tube frame that connects to the frame rails. Because of the narrow frame, I am not sure that you can make a tire carrier that would hold a 31" tire to fit under the truck between the frame rails.... I did note that I could stuff a 31" tire if I let the air out of it

the picture below is from 2012 when I redid my spring hangers. that 28 inch tire fits the carrier pretty snuggly... doubt you could get much bigger in between the frame rails.View attachment 53070

AJ

I haven't had my carrier in the truck for years. I did try stuff my spare in it over the summer but I can't find any pics of the that failed experiment. Never got to measuring the frame width.

I think it would fit between the rails but that tube is bent to cradle the stock tiny little tire.

 

[slc10844]

Are you referring to the stamped sheet metal part the tire goes up into, or any of the separate components like the hoist ?
This part ?

.

 

[slc10844]

Yes. The stamp steel part the tire attaches to and is swung up under the bed. I think the newer one will and suspect it just different to accommodate a larger tire. My tires are 14”. Not sure when they switched to 15”.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Yes. The stamp steel part the tire attaches to and is swung up under the bed. I think the newer one will and suspect it just different to accommodate a larger tire. My tires are 14”. Not sure when they switched to 15”.

you could get 14" or 15" tires on Rangers from almost day one to 97 I think... I do believe that the 4x4's got 15" by default, but 2wd could have 14". I think after 98 they were all 15 or 16".

AJ

 

[sgtsandman]

I think I remember LMC truck having parts for the old carrier design. At least it looked like they did in passing when looking for other parts.

As far as a 31” fitting in the newer carrier design, it will. Sort of. It doesn’t tuck completely up in as it should but you can angle it so that it works and doesn’t pose a potential hang up issue. The bars in the front that keep the tire away from the exhaust and hitting the cables and other things on the driver’s side look like are the cause for the fitment limitation.

 

[gw33gp]

A 31" BFG AT tire fit in my carrier fairly well. It sit right up against the receiver and I adjusted the exhaust to get good clearance, but otherwise there was no problem. It did fit snug in the reliefs in the frame but did go all the way up. Having worn tread helped make it fit.

I have a worn 12.5x32" ProComp MT tire in it now. I can't say it fits well because the frame keeps it from tucking all the way in there. It still clears the exhaust but hangs down a little behind the axle, but is well above the bottom of the differential housing. I have it tucked all the way up near the receiver for clearance off road. I bump the receiver occasionally when off-road but have never hit the spare tire.

Once my 33" BFG MY tires wear out, I am going to try to fit the best one up in there but realistically don't think it will work.