Thanks! The two guys were there with a larger team doing some maintainance and repair to the buildings on the property.
From what I understand, there used to be sideways paddle wheel at the base of the tower. It was used to power an air compressor which supplied air the mining camp.
Regarding the spare tire and CJ tailgate, as much as I would like a drop down gate, I don't see it happening. Any spare I will run needs to be either on the gate or in the bed. I won't give up the bed, so the spare will hang off the tailgate.
On that front, after much thought I have almost certainly decided on the Exogate tire carrier. And the bumper will be a modified SWAG Big Hit bumper. This may be a Fall/Winter project. I think could lose at least 150lbs of weight behind the rear axle as well as shrink down the physical size the Jeep occupies back there. I can't get hung up on things that aren't there.