Inside spare mount solutions

Tob

Tob

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I'm relocating my spare off the tailgate to the inside of the tub. Securing it face-down onto the tub floor is simple enough with a few straps, but I want to explore some options. I like the idea of standing the tire up directly behind the driver's seat. That would be out of the way, easily accessed, and leave a lot of floor space for other cargo. I'm not aware of any spare mount brackets sold that accomplish this, but I'm not desperate enough to seek to get what I'm picturing fabricated.

Any other ways you've seen a inside spare mount done well?
 
I have had my spare strapped down to the cargo area face down. It’s a fine place for it but it is not the most efficient use of inside space. I have been contemplating drawing up a bolt-together design in CAD that holds the spare standing upright behind the driver seat and ties into the existing bench seat bracket mounting holes, then getting the pieces made by sendcutsend. I haven’t made any real moves toward this, but if I do go through with it, I will certainly post it here.
 
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One option, though not cheap, is this mount from Excessive:

https://excessiveindustries.com/store/p39/Jeep_TJ_and_LJ_GateKeeper_Tire_Carrier.html

He used to be local in CA, I wheeled with him a few times. So there are quite a few that have this installed, though mostly the JKU version around here.

A less expensive option is the N-Fab mount that is designed for a truck bed. I do have this one mounted inside my LJ. I was using it with a 35" tire. I now have 37's and haven't adjusted it to see if the 37" will fit. Also not sure how it would fit in a TJ. It fit fine with my back seat folded up in the LJ. Probably need to completely remove the back seat in a TJ.

https://www.amazon.com/N-Fab-BM1TSBL-Rapid-Strap-Universal/dp/B076ZZY5KF/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Something like this might work for a vertical mount:

https://www.roughcountry.com/produc...BCc4Us4QjhXwBUpxHc39uqz_h61E8q4RoCARAQAvD_BwE
 
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Just off the top of my head, I think that I'd try something like this: Get a piece of about 1X1 angle iron. connect one end to the Sport Bar bolt behind the Driver's seat. Connect the other end to the Rear Seat shoulder harness bolt. This should give you a diagonal bar along the Driver's side window. Set the tire on the wheel well, and see where the bar runs closest to a lug nut hole. Run a long bolt, (3/8 inch maybe), from the bar and through that hole. Put a fender washer on the bolt and holt it with a wingnut.
I have no idea it that would work, but sitting in front of my confuser it sounds like at least the beginning of a plan.
 
suicideking said:
One option, though not cheap, is this mount from Excessive:

https://excessiveindustries.com/store/p39/Jeep_TJ_and_LJ_GateKeeper_Tire_Carrier.html

He used to be local in CA, I wheeled with him a few times. So there are quite a few that have this installed, though mostly the JKU version around here.

A less expensive option is the N-Fab mount that is designed for a truck bed. I do have this one mounted inside my LJ. I was using it with a 35" tire. I now have 37's and haven't adjusted it to see if the 37" will fit. Also not sure how it would fit in a TJ. It fit fine with my back seat folded up in the LJ. Probably need to completely remove the back seat in a TJ.

https://www.amazon.com/N-Fab-BM1TSBL-Rapid-Strap-Universal/dp/B076ZZY5KF/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Something like this might work for a vertical mount:

https://www.roughcountry.com/produc...BCc4Us4QjhXwBUpxHc39uqz_h61E8q4RoCARAQAvD_BwE
Click to expand...

That last one is interesting. Slap a couple nutserts into the floor and call it a day.

Trying to find actual weight/dimensions for it.
 
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C.J. Roberts said:
Just off the top of my head, I think that I'd try something like this: Get a piece of about 1X1 angle iron. connect one end to the Sport Bar bolt behind the Driver's seat. Connect the other end to the Rear Seat shoulder harness bolt. This should give you a diagonal bar along the Driver's side window. Set the tire on the wheel well, and see where the bar runs closest to a lug nut hole. Run a long bolt, (3/8 inch maybe), from the bar and through that hole. Put a fender washer on the bolt and holt it with a wingnut.
I have no idea it that would work, but sitting in front of my confuser it sounds like at least the beginning of a plan.
Click to expand...

I've thought of something similar, but instead a round bar connecting to a modified stock tire carrier (so you can use all 5 lugs).
 
https://www.etrailer.com/Spare-Tire-Carrier/Demco/DM15851-52.html

This is somewhat what I had in mind, except I would add lateral bracing, bolt to the seat bracket mounting holes, and possibly even reuse the stock spare tire holder that I took off the tailgate. I feel confident I could figure out a way to rig it that would be secure, relatively inexpensive, and space-efficient.
 
Tob said:
https://www.etrailer.com/Spare-Tire-Carrier/Demco/DM15851-52.html

This is somewhat what I had in mind, except I would add lateral bracing, bolt to the seat bracket mounting holes, and possibly even reuse the stock spare tire holder that I took off the tailgate. I feel confident I could figure out a way to rig it that would be secure, relatively inexpensive, and space-efficient.
Click to expand...

That one looks sturdy.. But from my screen, it looks like it takes up unnecessary cargo space. I could be wrong.
 
This is close to what I have in mind:

1707422738544.png


1707422746995.png



One of my goals is to keep a single rear seat (I often carry 2 passengers), so maximizing cargo space is important.
 
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I met a gut about 3yrs ago that had his 37 spare inside behind drivers seat. The bracket tied into roll cage and also had a leg that went thru the wheel well and tied into the frame..
 
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PNW_LJ said:
That last one is interesting. Slap a couple nutserts into the floor and call it a day.

Trying to find actual weight/dimensions for it.
Click to expand...

According to Amazon, 45 lbs and 39.5 x 23.62 x 7.37 inches.

Heavier and slightly larger than I would like, but it's a solution.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
I don't think it would be very fun sitting next to a large tire all day. :unsure:
Click to expand...

I don’t think the 9 year old sister going to school gets a say in the matter. 😂

Only somewhat kidding… I haven’t done any mockup, but I imagine there should be plenty of space for a child.


C.J. Roberts said:
It wouldn't be very fun in the back seat of a TJ all day.
Click to expand...

LJ means it’s ever so slightly better.
 
I fabbed a bracket that bolts to the fender wheel well and supports a lateral threaded rod that uses a nut through the wheel lug hole to hold it from moving left/right, and a strap over the tire to hold it from moving forward/backward.

It held no problem for about 6 hrs of wheeling, then worked its way loose. I tightened the strap and it was good to go again. I suspect a 3” strap with cletes would hold it better.

Was mounted behind drivers seat and so it did not impede visibility and still had floor space for storage.

It took 39sec to remove the tire.

IMG_6901.jpeg


IMG_6906.jpeg


IMG_6908.jpeg
 
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