Modification of spare tire bracket on rear Geo door.

[sully2030]

Any suggestion on how to modify a spare tire bracket on a rear door to support a 235-75-15 spare tire or do you have any suggestions?

[baumbr]

Try mounting the spare backwards, the inside of the rim is usually deeper than the outside (pretty side). Get a tire cover that fits to dress it up. The face of the rim may get messed up where it rides against the carrier, but its a spare, right?

Be careful of the wieght hanging back there, Trackers don't have much internal bracing on the tailgate and the tire mount can warp the gate or break off.

[sully2030]

Thank you so much for your reply. Sully2030

[baumbr]

Actually its a rather old idea. The early dune buggy fans used to put their wheels on "wrong way around" to get a wider stance and fit a wider tire. (I'm not certain whether they were really the first ones to do it, but that's when I became aware of it.) Naturally it was a little hard on the coined seats for the lug nuts and the lug bolts as well as suspension, etc. This idea eventually evolved into the "chrome (or other) reverse wheel" and "deep dish wheel" sets that were/are offered comercially. Folks like Dick Cepek and others built a lot of their business on these wheel and tire sets.

[sully2030]

Originally Posted by baumbr

Actually its a rather old idea. The early dune buggy fans used to put their wheels on "wrong way around" to get a wider stance and fit a wider tire. (I'm not certain whether they were really the first ones to do it, but that's when I became aware of it.) Naturally it was a little hard on the coined seats for the lug nuts and the lug bolts as well as suspension, etc. This idea eventually evolved into the "chrome (or other) reverse wheel" and "deep dish wheel" sets that were/are offered comercially. Folks like Dick Cepek and others built a lot of their business on these wheel and tire sets.

Thank you for sharing that with me. Very interesting. Sully2030

[coopdavillage]

Originally Posted by baumbr

Try mounting the spare backwards, the inside of the rim is usually deeper than the outside (pretty side). Get a tire cover that fits to dress it up. The face of the rim may get messed up where it rides against the carrier, but its a spare, right?

Be careful of the wieght hanging back there, Trackers don't have much internal bracing on the tailgate and the tire mount can warp the gate or break off.

you can prevent messing up the rim by getting an inflatable tire tube and cutting it then you can glue it to the mount and it will keep the rim from getting torn up

[sully2030]

I have come to the conclusion based on your input and the advise of others that it is not practical to mount a tire as large and heavy as I have on the spare tire bracket. I really appreciate all of the advise that I have received. Thanks, Sully2030

[coopdavillage]

Originally Posted by sully2030

I have come to the conclusion based on your input and the advise of others that it is not practical to mount a tire as large and heavy as I have on the spare tire bracket. I really appreciate all of the advise that I have received. Thanks, Sully2030

the weight isnt the issue its the size that is posing the problem. if you reverse the tire that will work and it wont be to much for the mount unless the back door is all rusted out or its missing bolts. i currently have 205/75r 15 AT's on my spare and it poses no problems what so ever. but if you still dont wish to do this you can always use the suggestions before about putting it in the back or on top

good luck

[sully2030]

Originally Posted by coopdavillage

the weight isnt the issue its the size that is posing the problem. if you reverse the tire that will work and it wont be to much for the mount unless the back door is all rusted out or its missing bolts. i currently have 205/75r 15 AT's on my spare and it poses no problems what so ever. but if you still dont wish to do this you can always use the suggestions before about putting it in the back or on top

good luck

Thanks, I really appreciate your advise. Sully2030

[coopdavillage]

thats what we are here for just hope you can find something that works