Spare Tire Swing Out?

[Adam]

Anyone added a spare tire swing out to the back of their Deli? I found a custom site for Vanagon units but I haven't seen anything that would work with a Delica.



I'm planning on sticking a veggie oil tank where the spare is currently and for fuel economy sake and ferry over height rates I'd like to keep spare off the roof.

[BCDelica]

Considered a front mounted spare, I am.



How about a swing out bike carrier, moded to carry a spare and one bike.Was scoping this one out at cambodian tire, it could be done.



Cheers

[Adam]

The front mount would work if I could do it without blocking my fog lights. They are too cool looking to hide. I like the swing bike rack idea, but I'd have to get a hitch then. Any stock hitches out there that would work, or all they all custom jobs?

[josh]

Kev,

I like that picture of the Delica crossing that river, I like the tail pipe being bent up like that. Makes me think he has crossed a lot of water in his day!

Josh

[Green1]

I like the tail pipe being bent up like that.

I doubt that's the tailpipe... I think it's a rear bull-bar of sorts...

[surferboy]

yeah, i think that i have mentioned that before, i'm sure there is a way to custom fab a swing-out spare tire bracket for the deli, i in fact was thinking about one for a jerry-can for long road trips such as Baja... i don't like the idea of a tank of gas inside the van and i'm not sure about the roof either..i will talk to a buddy of mine at four seasons auto racks on george in Victoria, they specialise in custom roof racks and off-road outer cages fortrucks and stuff, i'm sure they can fabricate a swing out spare tire rack or jery can bracket for our delis, i will inquire abour prices and see if i could get a deal for a few units made up if you guys are interested....my opinion though is that any fabricating shop should be able to make something up that would work.. Cheers

[docsavage]

I am planning to build a new bumper with a swing out tire carrier and rack similar to this one I built for my old Range Rover:





To make the bumper take the weight I'll have to build frame rails around the unibody rails and bolt through to a plate in the floor. I don't think the unibody is strong enough.

James

[Adam]

i will inquire about prices and see if i could get a deal for a few units made up if you guys are interested....

I'd definitely be interested. The swing gate looks like the most elegant solution if it's affordable. The bike rack option is a close second, but for the cost of a hitch and the rack I'm sure I could get a swing gate. The drawbacks I see with the bike rack are that the weight of the tire has to be lowered and lifted every time you want in the back. Fine for me, but I'm sure it will end up being a royal PITA for my wife when she is trying to load groceries. The other drawback I see of the bike rack is that it will stick out farther than a swing gate. It might not make much of a difference, but I don't want to compromise the parallel parking ease of these beauties by adding anymore more to the rear end than is required. This thing is way easier to parallel park than my Safari van, those front and rear mirrors, combined with the tight turning make all the difference.

[Adam]

I am planning to build a new bumper with a swing out tire carrier and rack similar to this one I built for my old Range Rover. To make the bumper take the weight I'll have to build frame rails around the unibody rails and bolt through to a plate in the floor. I don't think the unibody is strong enough.

Now that is a sweet solution. Too bad it couldn't be tagged on to my original chrome bumper, but you are probably right, not enough strength there.