Some Questions from a newbie

[4yota93]

Quesion: 1
Hey guys, I want a rear tire carrier to go on my 93 4runner so I can move the gas tank to where the current spare is. I don't have money for a new bumper and carrier or the euipment to make one. I went to a junk yard today and looked at izuzu and bronco tire carriers. The bronco carrier looks solid and looks like it just might work. Has anybody had any experience or ideas concerning this or should I just get a roof rack?

Question: 2
Does anyone know if you can put an older runner roll bar in a newer (93')runner? Does it fit? Anyone try it?

Question: 3
My buddy has a rover and he has these spring "drop outs" or "retainers" so he gets about 6 inches more flex. Do they make those for yotas? Any body have experience with these?

[keyice]

question 3
pics please

[bbagwell]

A friend of mine made those for his old rover. I don't have a pic, but basically you allow the coil to drop down so it is not attached at the top anymore. You make a metal guide so it only drops down about six inches, and when it compresses it goes back in the spring pocket. Pretty simple setup.

[4yota93]

http://www.rockware.net/rover/
Its on this page.

[Kyron]

1. Get a roof rack....... or get a real carrier built with two hinges and two latches.......

2. they arnt that strong at all and it would only mount to the body....... get a real cage built.....

3. IMO those are pretty much like a double shackle... with no weight on the tire it's only good for being a ramp champ :thumbdown get real lockers instead, get a real link suspension built or swap to leaf's


???? Why do you want to move the gas tank? they take quite a beating and a strong skid plate might be easier to make than moving the tank?

[4yota93]

"???? Why do you want to move the gas tank? they take quite a beating and a strong skid plate might be easier to make than moving the tank?[/QUOTE]

I've just heard that they get smashed quite a bit. (depends where you go I guess) How would you suggest making a skid plate. I also want one for my t-case (it seems pretty vulnerable).

[Kyron]

t case is easy.......... http://www.budbuilt.com/new/index.html

I'd wait and see how bad you really need more protection for the tank....

[keyice]

Man that is a kind of iffy setup on suspension, to much shit to go wrong, missing the bracket and so on, even if you have a strong 4 link you are really pushing your luck with that set up, I was thinking z link type

[toymanator]

My friend just had some of those drop out springs installed on his rover. They flex like MAD! I am also curious about the rear tire carrier, anyone know if this would work?

[4yota93]

Is your friends vehicle a rover or a toyota?

[toymanator]

Yes, as stated in my earlier post... my friend drives a land rover. I am pretty sure they don't make the drop out springs for Toyota's. Did you decide anything about the tire carrier?

[4yota93]

Duh, sorry didn't catch that part. Im thinking im going to go for a roof rack. I found a cool one on ebay for 170 that includes hi lift and shovel mounts. And they are located in Kamus, UT so I could just pick it up.

[Elvota]

1: Why not put spare inside or look for a 2ND Gen factory tire rack... although that might be next to impossible.

2: 1ST Gen roll cages will fit with limited mods, but like others said, need to make sure your attachemnt is sound or it won't really add much safety.

3. A rear leaf swap isn't as hard as one might think. More travel, flex.

[KToy]

or get some land cruiser coils and see what happens.

[wyatt]

I've just heard that they get smashed quite a bit.

So you don't actually bash your tank when you wheel? If YOU don't hit your tank, then don't worry about it. If you are new to wheeling, the best thing to do is go wheeling and find out what mods YOU need to match where you go and what you do.


As far as the dropout for the springs go, they are exactly like a double shackle with leaf springs, which means they give you tons (too much) of droop, which in the wheeling world is not only pretty much useless, but also incredibly dangerous. It will make you look cool if you put one wheel up on a rock for a picture or something, but you won't be feelin real good when your 4 Runner is upsidedown. I learned this the hard way. Suspensions are designed to have spring force resisting up travel as well as downtravel.

[Spaceycayce]

My .02 worth:

1.) I myself and I also have a friend with similiar problems. I have asked around (including toyota) and was told the body can't support the weight of the tire racks and the models with them were built to hold the extra weight. I usually use the cargo area for mine until I can find another solution which is either a. pay about 600-1000 depending on shipping for one from Kennasaw (http://www.kenmtnac.com/McToy.html) It does require some small welding and the rest is bolt on or have one custom made locally like those from the junkyard, again it will probably cost a bit to have done. I hear the tire on the roof is highly unstable plus with me I tend to find low lying tree limbs over my truck and have enough issues clearing some stuff as it is. That being said my friend did weld one custom for his '87(?) p/u and he basically had to redo his whole rear tube bumper (he moved the license plate and removed 5-6" of tubin off it it to fit the other tire carrier). Lessee if I can remeber the rest he put the locking part with a reinforced steel plate on the rear tail gate and then also put two brackets and some spot welds on the side of the truck to hold the carrier. If I can get a picture for you of it I will I need to check on that. So if you do mod it make sure you reinforce the sucker or find a friend at the local community college who welds and might need to do a project for class or will take 100 bucks cause he's a poor college kid.
2. I think allpro has rollcages again see above for other options (local college).
3. I'm not sure more than whats said above
Anyway hope this helps and Goodluck
Andy