Spare tire ideas - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ABLAZN · 05-02-2007, 12:25 AM

Where is every one putting their spare tires? I really have never seen one mounted inside using the factory mount behind the seat, so I do not know how it would work with a 33 inch tall tire. I have a chance to get a factory rear swing mount, but they have their own draw backs. I am looking for other options or ideas (pictures would be great) Just throwing it in the back is NOT an option. I plan on hauling the family in this thing, and want to keep as much room as possible plus keeping things looking neat and tidy.

bouncytruck · 05-02-2007, 12:44 AM

Bobby K made a really nice swing away type for his rig. I have a factory swing away and personally I like it. The only downside that can think of is that you have to open the swing away to open the hatch and the tailgate and you can not haul anything long that requires the tailgate to stay down.

A while back someone posted an external carrier that tilted down to access the tailgate. It seemed ok, but not ideal.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 05-02-2007, 05:01 AM

Well I wouldn't recommend what I do --I have the 33x12.50R15 spare on the back deck instead of the rear seat. Kind of a redneck beanbag chair.

vtblazer · 05-02-2007, 06:46 AM

One option.

hotrodhomi · 05-02-2007, 10:00 AM

Aaa

bouncytruck · 05-02-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtblazer

One option.

Wow, that rig sure has changed!

cstanley · 05-02-2007, 02:03 PM

could you fab a box-hitch mount? a sort-of L-shaped bracket that slides into the receiver hitch? they may even make one that would lower out of the way for easy mounting or tailgate access. kinda like this?

cstanley · 05-02-2007, 02:17 PM

also take a look at these guys. pretty cool, don't know pricing, though. could probably be fabbed fairly easily.

http://www.tiregate.com/hg.shtml

LUV2XCLR8 · 05-02-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstanley

kinda like this?

Now that's different

VinceY · 05-02-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstanley

could you fab a box-hitch mount? a sort-of L-shaped bracket that slides into the receiver hitch? they may even make one that would lower out of the way for easy mounting or tailgate access. kinda like this?

My blazer came with one like this. I modified it to swing down out of the way when the tailgate was opened. It was a total pain to use. Now I have one that swings to the side which is way better. Kind of a copy of Bobby Ks design.

cstanley · 05-02-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinceY

My blazer came with one like this. I modified it to swing down out of the way when the tailgate was opened. It was a total pain to use. Now I have one that swings to the side which is way better. Kind of a copy of Bobby Ks design.

interesting to hear AFTER I DREW ONE TO SWING DOWN!!

here's what i whipped up a few moments ago...it's designed to swing down, but has an extra mechanism to hold the wheel perpendicular to the ground to make for easy mounting/unmounting...

if anyone wants to build it for me, i'd be happy to oblige with dimensioned drawings...

bouncytruck · 05-02-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinceY

My blazer came with one like this. I modified it to swing down out of the way when the tailgate was opened. It was a total pain to use. Now I have one that swings to the side which is way better. Kind of a copy of Bobby Ks design.

I think I remember pics of the old one you had and that's what I was think of.

BobbyK · 05-02-2007, 11:25 PM

Huck · 05-15-2007, 06:56 AM

The factory swing away design that holds both the tire and an extra gas can (u probably need 2-3 gas cans if yours runs like mine) is nice but you need 5 feet of space behind the blazer to get into the rear --to lift the hatch and/or drop down the tailgate. A 31-33 or 35" tire will give you a less visibility as well. BigJ--Jason made a nice drop down spare mount via the class 3-4 hitch but that too takes a lot to lift a 35" tire. Forget about the love muffin using that. Probably one of the best in terms of use is a roof mount or a front bumper mount but they all have shortcomings. The rear floor behind the rear seat has plenty of flat space for a spare. I would love to have a small 15" runflat spare to stick in the back with the right bolt pattern. No simple solution here~~~~.(:>)

ABLAZN · 05-15-2007, 12:36 PM

Well thanks for all the ideas everyone !!!! I have decided to make a floor mount behind the rear seat with the tire laying down. I am going to run an eyelet through the floor and then use a threaded J-hook to attach to the wheel. I plan on cutting a round board the size of the tire and putting a tire cover over it all. That will give it a nice clean look and I can stack any cargo on top of it if I need to. Since I am going to be running 33's I should be able to run a 30-31" for a spare and save on space too.

bouncytruck · 05-15-2007, 02:26 PM

My understanding is that you won't be able to run a smaller spare if the truck is/needs to be in 4wd.

**Yukon Jack** · 05-15-2007, 03:33 PM

I believe as long as the smaller wheel is on an axle with an open diff, you can get away with it.

05-02-2007, 12:25 AM	#1
ABLAZN Oh..never mind.... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 588	Spare tire ideas Where is every one putting their spare tires? I really have never seen one mounted inside using the factory mount behind the seat, so I do not know how it would work with a 33 inch tall tire. I have a chance to get a factory rear swing mount, but they have their own draw backs. I am looking for other options or ideas (pictures would be great) Just throwing it in the back is NOT an option. I plan on hauling the family in this thing, and want to keep as much room as possible plus keeping things looking neat and tidy. __________________ 1972 Blazer -6 inch lift -35 inch BFG A/T's Turbo 350 NP-205 454 BB (for now) MORE TO COME !!!!!! Now going to 2WD!!!!! Sold. I got it back after 22 years and did not even know it !!! THE STORY HERE Project Low Down Dirty Rat

05-02-2007, 12:44 AM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: Spare tire ideas Bobby K made a really nice swing away type for his rig. I have a factory swing away and personally I like it. The only downside that can think of is that you have to open the swing away to open the hatch and the tailgate and you can not haul anything long that requires the tailgate to stay down. A while back someone posted an external carrier that tilted down to access the tailgate. It seemed ok, but not ideal. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

05-02-2007, 05:01 AM	#3
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,506	Re: Spare tire ideas Well I wouldn't recommend what I do --I have the 33x12.50R15 spare on the back deck instead of the rear seat. Kind of a redneck beanbag chair. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

05-02-2007, 06:46 AM	#4
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: Spare tire ideas One option. Attached Images

05-02-2007, 10:00 AM	#5
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	Re: Spare tire ideas Aaa __________________ '72 2wd blazer, bagged w/ watts link & EDC '72 C10 "Lowered Farm Truck" STOLEN 5-18-11 '66 impala ht

05-02-2007, 02:03 PM	#7
cstanley Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,229	Re: Spare tire ideas could you fab a box-hitch mount? a sort-of L-shaped bracket that slides into the receiver hitch? they may even make one that would lower out of the way for easy mounting or tailgate access. kinda like this? Attached Images __________________ "Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/ Last edited by cstanley; 05-02-2007 at 02:05 PM.

05-02-2007, 02:17 PM	#8
cstanley Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,229	Re: Spare tire ideas also take a look at these guys. pretty cool, don't know pricing, though. could probably be fabbed fairly easily. http://www.tiregate.com/hg.shtml Attached Images __________________ "Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/ Last edited by cstanley; 05-02-2007 at 02:19 PM.

05-02-2007, 11:25 PM	#13
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Re: Spare tire ideas __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

05-15-2007, 06:56 AM	#14
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Re: Spare tire ideas The factory swing away design that holds both the tire and an extra gas can (u probably need 2-3 gas cans if yours runs like mine) is nice but you need 5 feet of space behind the blazer to get into the rear --to lift the hatch and/or drop down the tailgate. A 31-33 or 35" tire will give you a less visibility as well. BigJ--Jason made a nice drop down spare mount via the class 3-4 hitch but that too takes a lot to lift a 35" tire. Forget about the love muffin using that. Probably one of the best in terms of use is a roof mount or a front bumper mount but they all have shortcomings. The rear floor behind the rear seat has plenty of flat space for a spare. I would love to have a small 15" runflat spare to stick in the back with the right bolt pattern. No simple solution here~~~~.(:>)

05-15-2007, 12:36 PM	#15
ABLAZN Oh..never mind.... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 588	Re: Spare tire ideas Well thanks for all the ideas everyone !!!! I have decided to make a floor mount behind the rear seat with the tire laying down. I am going to run an eyelet through the floor and then use a threaded J-hook to attach to the wheel. I plan on cutting a round board the size of the tire and putting a tire cover over it all. That will give it a nice clean look and I can stack any cargo on top of it if I need to. Since I am going to be running 33's I should be able to run a 30-31" for a spare and save on space too. __________________ 1972 Blazer -6 inch lift -35 inch BFG A/T's Turbo 350 NP-205 454 BB (for now) MORE TO COME !!!!!! Now going to 2WD!!!!! Sold. I got it back after 22 years and did not even know it !!! THE STORY HERE Project Low Down Dirty Rat

05-15-2007, 02:26 PM	#16
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: Spare tire ideas My understanding is that you won't be able to run a smaller spare if the truck is/needs to be in 4wd. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

05-15-2007, 03:33 PM	#17
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: Spare tire ideas I believe as long as the smaller wheel is on an axle with an open diff, you can get away with it. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

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