Spare Tire Storage

I just started another thread asking about sagging after putting my spare under the bed and adding a Decked toolbox with about 100 pounds of recovery gear. My Icon leaf springs was installed March 2021. They didn't last long or hold up. I didn't really haul anything. May look into Alcans, Old Man Emu, and Ironman 4x4.

 

It’s a truck bed tire carrier that I mounted inside by welding angle iron to the seat mounts.

 

Alcans are expensive. Got a quote for about $1300 for leaf springs with a 700lb load and shackles. I think that would bring it up to 3inches. And I think they said 7 weeks to get done. Are they pretty rough on the bumps?

I'm going to add a add a leaf to my Icons and see if that helps with sag. If not I'll be calling around for prices. I like the higher clearance for when I go off road.

 

The Alcan’s are smooth. That’s the beauty of them over the pre made HD springs. The pre made HD springs are rough and ride high when unloaded. Alcan’s sit at the same height regardless the load and provide more wheel movement for a smoother ride. Yes, they are expensive, but if you carry a heavy load, they are so worth it.

 

Thanks for the info. Think I should go with the 800 or 700 which they recommended? If I get a fan bumper it'll take the weight load to almost 700.

 

I’d pad it a bit for any future load. That’s what I did and the cost is minimal difference. I did +800 myself.

 

Who makes that tire carrier? Did you have to relocated the rear view camera?

 

Consider running the spare under the bed deflated to get you a little more clearance. You could also use a ratchet strap with it deflated to compress the diameter if you just need a little more space.

 

That’s the Dirtcom Trail Swing HD. Been very happy with it and it is superior to the other 2 brands that make these.

I also mounted the fold out table behind the spare so my rear camer is completely blocked. I do plan on getting a relocation kit.

https://dirtcomusa.com/products/trail-swing-hd

 

That's a good idea! I have a air compressor if needed. Thanks! I may try that when I upgrade.

 

I am this close to pulling the trigger on one, had wilco on my last 4Runner and loved it. Dirtcom seems to be a better design IMO, just that pricetag is soooooo hard to swallow.

 

I agree, the price is a gut punch but is a buy once, cry once situation. Dirtcom basically improved on every flaw that Wilco and Rigd has. A key improvement is the departure angle of the Dirtcom. I have been on trails where I scraped the trucks hitch receiver but the angled up Dirtcom did not get touched. The Rigd one would have suffered damage since their hitch extension is straight out.

 

I squeezed a 315/70/r17 underneath and turned the rim upside down. I didn't trim the tabs, but they fit between the treads on the STT pros.

 

Any chance you might point us to the specific truck bed tire carrier? I know there are a bunch. Yours looks very nice and I'm trying to sort something out for in bed storage since I don't have much cab space

 

It’s the ADD carrier. Not cheap and looks like the price went up.

https://www.addictivedesertdesigns.com/products/universal-tire-carrier_t99918na01na

 

@daveeasa, since you are in the area and serious, check these once in a while.
https://classifieds.race-dezert.com/

 

Ran 295/70/18 spare underneath with no issues, but I recently installed a new high-clearance bumper that required me to move the spare back an inch or two which got things a little messed up (tire wouldn't fit inside the two tab locations under the truck. I was able to pop one of the tabs off with a crowbar, but the other one had to be cut w/ an angle grinder.
Now the 295/70/17 STT Pro fits perfectly again. Seems solid, but will try adding a ratchet-strap just in case.

 

How do you like that RCI rear differential skid plate? I was going to get it but got their rock sliders instead. I had some rear differential weeping and has Toyota verify there was no leak. So I'm kind of up in the air to get it now.

I have RCI's engine skid, LCA skids. I just got their transmission skids and cat guards I'm about to install.

I got my 35s up in there but had to cut off the guides with a air hammer and angle grinder.

 

I'm about to get Chassis Unlimited rear bumper since I have their front. I'm worried about my 35s fitting back there with the bumper. I asked them if it'll fit and they said yes but it was the kind of yes that had a "I guess so" at the end.

 

Here are some more photos of how I bent the brackets. I just banged on them until they were flared out enough to fit my 285/75 18 tire snug.

 

Anyone know what the mac weight load is on that chain and housing that lifts the spare?

 

Love it, best I've found for the money and minimal lead time. Took a beating at windrock and didn't shift or budge. I've now got all the RCI skids except the Cat guards and Lower control arms(let me know how you like them).

I have Bash Fab Sliders welded on (Local shop in Columbia, SC) but have heard good things about the RCI sliders.

 

I still like my RCI diff skid even though it got jacked up. The part that wraps around the 3rd member got bent forward enough to hit the bolts (and mess them up) on the joint with the driveshaft. Had to bang it back in place. Contacted RCI and they said they can sell me the parts I need to replace the damaged ones.

 

I'm hoping to install the trans skid plate and cat guards this weekend. RCI is going to be setting up a new set of trans skid plates with the holes predrilled for the cat guards. I got mine without the holes predrilled. So ill have to measure and make the holes.

I like the lower control arm plates. Easy to install. I just like having the protection there in case I drop off somewhere and a rock jams up in that area.

The sliders are pretty solid. Took a day for me to install because the holes in the frame towards driver's rear is flushed against gas tank. I didn't want to move the tank around so I used a magnet and a wrench that bends to feed the washer to the bolt. Allowed me to get into that small area without unbolting the gas tank.

I think the gas tank skid and rear differential is all I need to compete the full set of armor from RCI. I think they need ro sponsor us for spending so much money. Lol

 

So I have 285/75/18 tires (34.8" tire) on stock TRD rims and been looking at getting that same tire size on my spare rim. I dropped my spare tire and took some measurements.

Coachbuilder shackle to shackle is only 33 inches
Back of truck (bumper/license plate area) to resonator location for BA midpipe is 33 inches

How have y'all been able to get a larger tire to fit? I don't want to bite the bullet and mount a brand new tire on my spare rim just to find it not be able to fit anymore?

 

I have Icon leaf springs and was able to fit my 315/70/17 up under there. I had to cut away the guide brackets but they fit. Some others banged the brackets out so theirs could fit.

Someone earlier in the thread told me to air down the tire and it may fit better. That was a good idea.

 

Sorry, for bringing up the old thread, but are there any options for 37's outside of the rear bumper swing out?

 

Chain it down in the bed.

 

A friend of mine built me this out of T6 aluminum. Bolts to factory bed rails and holds a 37 and Badlands jack.

I'm sure you could find someone in SoCal to fab one for you.

 

I am typically fully loaded with a family of 4. Not an option for me.