4Runner spare tire carrier on a Tacoma

[pray4surf]

Anyone ever considered this? What are the chances?

[Scuba]

Dude I've heard about a couple people doing it on the older pickups. But IIRC the 4Runner's with those on them had some sort of special bracing behind the actual sheet metal..

Id say go for it though, I actually saw that ad, and considered it for a sec cause it is pretty close, but decided it was more work then worth.

It would be kool to tie it into your rear bumper somehow, But then of course a welder would be needed..

[pray4surf]

Well, the tire carrier is in my possession. I'm pretty impressed with the 'external' fit of the rack to the bed corner. Yes, it will require some internal reinforcement. Willia described the bracing on the 4Runners.

It'll take some work, but it is not a project that I'm under any rush to address/complete. If anyone stumbles across any writeups on this mod, I'd appreciate being informed...

If not, I can always resell it on a 4Runner board or further modify it to mount to a rear bumper.

For what I paid for it, I can't go wrong...

Rick

[pray4surf]

Found a few threads over at Yotatech, including someone currently in the process of doing the exact same thing - It's all in the fabwork

[sparky]

This looks like a good project!! I was planning on trying to do the same thing had I kept my camper shell. But, the more you wheel, the more you get to look at your truck in a different light. Hope the fab work goes smoothly.

[pray4surf]

Have had plenty of time to let the mind wander on getting this installed.

I think the biggest issue is the lack of body rigidity on the pickups. The 4Runners are much more rigid as the body forms a 'box' - whereas the pickups are only a "U" shape. I believe that I can compensate for this lack of rigidity by fabricating/installing some bed stiffeners and fabricate/install a bedbar.

The writeup I linked to earlier showed a fabricated internal brace. I'm thinking that if I can address the structural rigidity 'externally', all that is needed internally is large area washers (or something similar) to prevent the fasteners from pulling through.

With the passenger side tailight removed, I have plenty of access to the backside of the sheetmetal corners. Which would negate the need to weld nuts to the internal brace/stiffener..

Thoughts? comments? concerns? - let me have them....

Edited: Thought I had previously posted up some links
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/4runner-s...tacoma-168598/
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/retrofi...arrier-155857/

[DennisDawg]

Personally, I wouldn’t do it. The area of the bed around the tail light is going to be weak. You might reinforce it enough for maybe being OK on the road, but off road, the forces can be huge on the mounting areas. More so with larger tires. It might survive the trip and then fall off on the freeway on the way home. Imagine the surprise of the guy behind you!

It is at that point it becomes a real safety issue and one you maybe should not mess with. You want that spare 100% secure. You might be better off with a good bumper and a swing out mount on that, such as those Demello could likely provide. Way better then some makeshit approach if you ask me.

[ShowStop]

I agree with Dennis. Unless its tied into a bumper and well built, or one of those angled bed mounts, I'd avoid installing anything else. I've even seen tire carriers built to replace the tailgate fail since the hinges and bed sides couldn't handle the stress.

[pray4surf]

61031 EXTENSION SUB-ASSY, QUARTER PANEL, REAR LOWER RH
61031-89101 RN13*, VZN13*..JPP 1 $316.14
61031-89102 VZN13*..JPP; W(10.5R15 7JJ TIRE) 1 $316.14
61031-89102 VZN13*..JPP; W(10.5R15 7JJ TIRE) 1 $316.14

Come on! this IS doable - I hear you guys, but have I done anything to lead you to think I couldn't do this?

Believe me - I'm not just going to slap this on and call it good

So, let's think positively, Now that you got the "Nope, don't do it" out of the system. How would YOU go about reinforcing the taco to accept this? And I'm not just talking about getting that sub-assy part above. The truck is going to have to have the entire rear of the bed braced...

Rick

[pray4surf]

For example, here's one thought...

The tire carrier has two hinges. These two hinges share a common rotational axis. IE the hinge pins are in alignment. Extend the lower hinge pin to the bumper. Properly install/reinforce the joint by penetrating both plates of the bumper, welding the hingepin to the bumper in four places. Then adding gussets as needed. Basically, the bumper would then be bearing the brunt of the weight/forces.

This is one of the more drastic approaches, and I wonder about the mounting the carrier to both the body and the bumper

[sparky]

Seeing that you'll never have opposing forces from either. . . . . . the idea of mounting the carrier to both the bed and bumper doesn't sound bad. Scratch that. . . . I just thought about situations where your departure angle could have you dragging your bumper, therefore pushing the carrier up slightly causing some damage where you plan to mount it to the bed. But, if in all the years you've been out on the trail you have yet to experience that. . . . refer to my first statement.

[BLACKHAWK250]

fab up a bumper to attach it with?? I would really look into that if i was you

[pray4surf]

OK, step one is done - a bed bar that ties the top of the R&L bed rails together

Hooked up with Brian (Beefed Taco) on this and other forums. And while we had the welder out, the CBI frame plates are finally installed



Ready to tack on the pass side barrel nut tabs. Used an extra long bolt during fab.


Welding on the frame plates


That's Brians little taquito on the right


Rick

Additional pics

[Scuba]

Looks tite !! Cant wait to see it at BB again !!