Time to make room for a full size spare

[83Eagle!]

I also tried mounting an RV spare tire carrier to the Eagle.  I did not think the bumper was strong enough to support the weight of having something like this bolted around it.

The bumpers are meant to support the weight of the entire car, hence the design of our jacks, so it wouldn't have a problem holding that. Just make sure you can still see out the back window reasonably well, for backing up.

Interesting.  When I went to buy one last summer the guy at the RV dealer brought one out to see how it would fit.  He was pretty insistent that it would crush the bumper after it was tightened and load-bearing.  He was so insistent that he refused to sell me a mount.

If I were driving mostly around town and/or to the trails, I'd use a roof rack, but I can't compromise my mileage or driveability. 

Agreed

[tougeagle]

It's because that guy is an idiot. And as such, don't patronize that place again . You should have shown him your jack, maybe it would have changed his mind. HOWEVER... the plastic trim gets in the way of where you want to mount it, you would have to cut some of the trim above the bumper and below the license plate.

[mudkicker715]

Gas goes where?  Meaning whatever is there needs to swingout or down that rvthing needs heavy mods to work

[tougeagle]

i made a ton of progress yesterday, ill post pics up tonight. youll be quite surprised at how little extra room the fullsize would take up, and tons of other cargo space becomes available without the shelf.

[83Eagle!]

It's because that guy is an idiot. And as such, don't patronize that place again . You should have shown him your jack, maybe it would have changed his mind. HOWEVER... the plastic trim gets in the way of where you want to mount it, you would have to cut some of the trim above the bumper and below the license plate.

I don't plan on ever going there again. I have 2 different RV places I get parts from.  One online and one in a different part of town.  The other place in town the parts manager just cracks her knuckles and says let's see if we can find something that'll work for ya.  I like that.

Gas goes where?  Meaning whatever is there needs to swingout or down that rvthing needs heavy mods to work

it would stick out far enough to get to the fuel filler. it would justr obstruct the view for the law man of the plates.

It would have to be mounted off center then, so the plates would be in view.  That sucks.  I guess I'll have to see if what Tougeagle comes up with and see if that will work for the larger tire.  I did a photoshop of what it would looke like with the mount on the back, and I am not sure I like the look either.

[wagoneerhauler]

Gas goes where?  Meaning whatever is there needs to swingout or down that rvthing needs heavy mods to work

it would stick out far enough to get to the fuel filler. it would justr obstruct the view for the law man of the plates.

It would have to be mounted off center then, so the plates would be in view.  That sucks.  I guess I'll have to see if what Tougeagle comes up with and see if that will work for the larger tire.  I did a photoshop of what it would looke like with the mount on the back, and I am not sure I like the look either.
[/quote]

Unless you relocated the plate to a new holder on the spare tire carrier.  And 83Eagle what tire are you using that is larger than tougeagles?  His is full size too?

[83Eagle!]

Mine are from an 06 Jeep Wrangler. P215 75r/15 Mud and Snow

[wagoneerhauler]

I see.  My SX/4 came with a full size spare that was in use when I picked it up.  Seems as though one of the tires would not stay aired up.  Anyway, it has Jeep XJ rims with 215/75 15s and fits inside the SX ok.  So yours should definitely fit in the wagon.  Like has been said here already though, I'd be more concerned with making sure it can't move in a wreak.  Will be good to see what Tougeagle comes up with.

[83Eagle!]

Agreed I can't wait to see what tougeagle comes up with.  Definitely important to make sure it doesn't move in wreck. 

I looked at my cargo area a little bit ago.  I opened the hatch and moved all the stuff I have stored in it (roadside emergency stuff) and I set the spare in the opening.  Mine seems to have a long way to go for it to be able to fit.  I hope I am overlooking something that tougEagle did.

[wagoneerhauler]

Yeah, I don't believe he is going to be using that space at all for the spare.  But putting it on top of it with the plywood (or whatever he decided to use) covering over the original locations hatch door. 

[tougeagle]

Here's the progress... It is still in its rough stages, I will be using expanding foam to cover what the blanket doesnt, along with all seams between wood pieces, and the area underneath where the spare will fit. Notice the bracket with loop in the floor in the first few pics... I will be mounting my spare to that, using a cherokee rod and nut, they hook exactly the same way, just standing upright. I will drill a 5/8" hole through the board right where that bracket is, and place the rod in the loop. Expanding foam will go in the space underneath. I will also use some thin gauge steel for the edges of the wheel wells to match it up with the bottom of the interior panels. expanding foam will go behidn that too, and the top edge will be folded over and drilled to accept the christmas tree clips on the bottom edge of the panels. Same with the ones covering the tail lights, though I obviously won't foam that area. Above all of the wood and foam there will be carpet or diamondplate, I haven't decided yet, probably carpet though, for acoustics. I just need to find something very flexible. I wish I would have kept my old interior carpet, even thoguh it was trashed it would have made great insulation.

After a full can of brake clean in attempt to remove all the past gear oil spills, and with cargo tray gone.


Fuel sending unit wire on the right, fuel pump mount bolts on the left. The rear washer line is to the right of the fuel sender wire

I took a wheel off and laid it in to get an idea, since it's the exact same size as the spare I'll be getting, 205/75/15

Only rises about an inch, maybe inch and a half above the bottom of the panels..

Started off with some OSB, and did my best with a jigsaw to cut it to form

Fuel filler must be taken into consideration, thoguh this will be hidden behind wood when finished. The wood will meet up with the bottom of the cargo area panels cleanly

Here's how it looks so far. I hav ea few pieces left to trim down, and the gaps will be filled with expanding foam. I also need to make the pieces that will match up with the interior panels. All of this will eventually be covered in carpet, so any gaps are no major concern. The area underneath where the spare will sit will also be filled, though I will come up with some way to to keep access open to my fuel pump bolts.

There's what I have so far. For now, since I'm out of cash thanks to acquiring another eagle (was supposed to happen today, but maybe tomorrow), this will be on hold for two weeks or so, but I'll get right back to it.

[83Eagle!]

I like it so far.  I do not think I have the ability to duplicate it, but I really like it so far.  Nice work.

[tougeagle]

I like it so far.  I do not think I have the ability to duplicate it, but I really like it so far.  Nice work.

Thanks... I realized today that I cannot simply secure the wood with bolts through the floor like I had planned, at least, not without dropping the gas tank and drilling up through the bottom, otherwise I'll swiss cheese the gas tank. So, I will drop the tank, and I will drill through the floor with the wood in place. I will probably just lay the blanket over the top of the wood instead, and use expanding foam on the bottom, so the blanket will provide a bit of a buffer between the bolt heads and the eventual carpet for a cleaner look. I need to also consider ease of removability of the rear most panel that will cover access to tail light lamps, I'm thinking probably some small furniture hinges.. They won't allow teh board to open flat to the floor, but should provide enough space for me to stick my hand in there and change out bulbs when needed, and still be covered by carpet.

[83Eagle!]

Yeah I wondered how you were going to be able  drill through the floor.  I remember someone on here awhile back having water in that cargo area and punching a hole through the floor only to have it fill with gasoline.  I wish more of you guys on here were closer to me.  I would love to have this done in the back of my Eagle, but I doubt I'd be able to do it.

[tougeagle]

Project is temporarily on hold, I gotta finish putting an engine in a 2000s suburban at the shop, then i have a bunch of work to do to an Audi S4, so I won't have any time to use the lift for another week or so, since i have to drop the tank to drill the floor.