When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am not clear on what I am seeing here? Is this the stock carrier, in the original configuration yet the tire is moved up and using only 2 bolts instead of 3?
Correct. You can see the third post in the void between the two wheel spokes at the bottom. As I said (and Alex_M reiterated), this puts additional strain on the bracket due to the wheel being mounted by two side by side bolts, which allows the wheel to flex top to bottom when you shut the rear door, as well as through normal road vibration. As far as it falling off and going through someone's windshield, while certainly possible, I think that's a little extreme. Anyone who's driving their trucks for weeks at a time without doing a walk-around to ensure that everything is ship shape, checking tire pressures, etc, is probably at risk of lots of dumb stuff happening. Mine's been on for a year and about 12k miles and it's not moving around at all, but I think of it flexing every time I shut the door and wouldn't want to take the chance of it coming off so I keep an eye on it. Flipping the carrier is the safer approach if you want to avoid spending any money on a solution.
As for flipping the carrier, I have done so twice and am about to do a third one. I've got up to 33" tires this way with minor bumper contact. I've personally never had an issue this way.
Personally not a fan of the plate because a) it's expensive, and b) by spacing the carrier out 1.5" or so, you are moving your weight further out and therefore adding more stress to the, frankly, already fragile stock carrier.
To be clear, the plate moves your tire out 1.5 inches if you use the spacers. If you trim the existing bolts, the plate moves your tire out by 1 inch.
I saw this on a tacoma yesterday, and after replacing my hinges, and my cargo door lock (and telling my 7 year old not to climb the ladder when the door is open....I am giving this idea a look to see if it will work on a Landy.
Those hurt departure angle quite a bit and they will rattle no matter what you do to try and stop it. But are effective if those two things don't bother you.
Only using 2 studs to hold the spare is incredibly dangerous especially when there are much better and free options to solve the problem correctly.
Only using 2 studs to hold the spare is incredibly d̶a̶n̶g̶e̶r̶o̶u̶s̶ stupid, especially when there are much better and free options to solve the problem correctly.
There, FTFY
12k miles without anything loosening or cracking or falling off does not sound incredibly dangerous to me. I'm not going argue that it's a great idea, just like I said in my first post. But is not a guaranteed failure if you are of average intelligence. That said, I'll be swapping my carrier tonight...
It's dangerous due to the fact of the age of these vehicles and who knows the condition of those studs. It's not out of reach to consider that by putting the type of stress of just using two that you could break off a previously weakened stud. Of course that is not guaranteed to happen.
I made a plate from 1/4" steel and added a 14mmx1.5mm bolt for the upper wheel nut and a lock nut for the lower stud. Since I can't weld, I tapped a tread for the upper bolt, so it doesn't fall out when I take the spare wheel off. The plate is more than strong enough to prevent wobbling and I don't have to trim or drill anything on the Discovery. As one would guess from the thickness of the plate the spare wheel moves out 1/4".
New by name but an avid reader for years. I am installing 2" terrafirma HD extended shocks with new HD coils, extended brake lines and of course excited. Short of opening up a can of worms I purchased 5- 285/75R16 tires (32.8") and 50mm terrafirma spacers. Not sure if I will even need the spacers. That was some reading with limited knowledge in that field. My reason for writing is to see if anyone has installed that size tire and did it require trimming and if so how much. And any other words of wisdom would be very much appreciated.
"Speed is fine, but accuracy is final" Wyatt Earp 1892
New by name but an avid reader for years. I am installing 2" terrafirma HD extended shocks with new HD coils, extended brake lines and of course excited. Short of opening up a can of worms I purchased 5- 285/75R16 tires (32.8") and 50mm terrafirma spacers. Not sure if I will even need the spacers. That was some reading with limited knowledge in that field. My reason for writing is to see if anyone has installed that size tire and did it require trimming and if so how much. And any other words of wisdom would be very much appreciated.
"Speed is fine, but accuracy is final" Wyatt Earp 1892
The amount of trimming will depend on your front bumper and what you have installed.
Stock front bumper, if you use those spacers, it will rub on the bottom of the bumper with no articulation. If you have side steps, front tire will rub the as well.
Additional trimming will be based on how much articulation you are looking for. Those are tall and wide tires for a 2" lift.
