Spare Tire Carrier

2809 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by ewalberg, Feb 23, 2005

saigonsmuggler

Discussion Starter · Feb 22, 2005

Hey all,

I may be putting on BFG AT KO 285/65/18 onto my stock 18" ET43 rims. Apparently, BFG AT KO in this size is on national backorder.

If i can find one, then i will be putting them on. One question: where can i find the spare tire adaptor so that the spare will face outward (rim face outward)??

Gelaendekraft used to sell one...but it closed down. Anywhere else???

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Braingears

· #2 · Feb 22, 2005

saigonsmuggler - 2/21/2005 11:20 PM

Hey all,

I may be putting on BFG AT KO 285/65/18 onto my stock 18" ET43 rims. Apparently, BFG AT KO in this size is on national backorder.

If i can find one, then i will be putting them on. One question: where can i find the spare tire adaptor so that the spare will face outward (rim face outward)??

Gelaendekraft used to sell one...but it closed down. Anywhere else???

I would be interested in buying a set too...

Chuck

Maxwell Smart

· #3 · Feb 22, 2005

saigonsmuggler - 2/22/2005 4:20 AM
One question: where can i find the spare tire adaptor so that the spare will face outward (rim face outward)??

Gelaendekraft used to sell one...but it closed down. Anywhere else???

Doesn't MB make them? My rim faces outwards and I've got a few inches to spare.

ewalberg

· #4 · Feb 22, 2005

mb makes them but they're designed for the old narrow rims of the 460 so even a stock g500 tire will hit the door.

You guys want me to look into the cost of making a few more sets of mine? I can take pictures when i get my truck back.

Erik

Chazbo

· #5 · Feb 22, 2005

The BFG AT KO 285/65/18 has been on "national backorder" since September of '04 -- That is why I went with the Nitto's. A BFG rep told me that BFG was in the process of "re-designing" the tire in the 285/65/18 size and that they were going to do a national roll-out with the new tire. Did your sales rep give you an idea of when the tire would be available?

Maxwell Smart

· #6 · Feb 22, 2005

ewalberg - 2/23/2005 7:59 PM

mb makes them but they're designed for the old narrow rims of the 460 so even a stock g500 tire will hit the door.

You guys want me to look into the cost of making a few more sets of mine? I can take pictures when i get my truck back.

Erik

I'm on a 463 with alloys. I'm sure you could probably get at least another inch if not two wider rim on it too.

ewalberg

· #7 · Feb 22, 2005

Maxwell, is it you that has the reversed mercedes tire carrier? We went through it, and i thought the consensus was that it wouldn't work with the new wheels... maybe it doesn't work with the ET63 wheels but might work with the et43 wheels which stick out an extra .8"

found the thread. it's all about searches isn't it. Good thread and it's got the MB part number of the reverser if anywone wants to try it out.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1187890&posts=9&hl=spare

Intersting that they're re-designing the 285/65r18 tire... wonder what for.

saigonsmuggler

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 22, 2005

Ok, i just got an email from BFG:

"BFGoodrich's All-Terrain T/A KO tire in size LT285/65R18 will not fit a
7.5"
rim because its rim width range is a minimum of 8" and a maximum of
10".

This tire size is scheduled to go into production during the 2nd
quarter of
this year."

There you go...so, we should see it soon.

DUTCH

· #9 · Feb 23, 2005

saigonsmuggler - 2/22/2005 6:00 PM

Ok, i just got an email from BFG:

"BFGoodrich's All-Terrain T/A KO tire in size LT285/65R18 will not fit a
7.5"
rim because its rim width range is a minimum of 8" and a maximum of
10".

It'll fit just fine. They may not recommend it, but it'll work A-OK.

GwagenLover

· #10 · Feb 23, 2005

How many want one??????

I have gathered up the Tap and Drill bits to make one of these. Winter set in and the machine shop is too cold to work in during the cold weather. I wanted one for my 02 but let the project slide.
So here is the question....Who all wants one?
I have not made the drawings as of yet. When I do, I'll put them on the forum.
Those interested can drop me an email, but be sure to identify your email very good.
By the way, the Bolts will have to be changed also as best I remember because the present setup uses nuts.

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ewalberg

· #11 · Feb 23, 2005

i've already drawn it up.

I've got the drawing for my et63 wheels, and it works, the tire sits in the same place as before. It's shamefully bad dimensioning technique, i shouldn't even put my name on it, but the info is there and i know it works. For et43 i'd remove 20mm from the overall length... but maybe not for bigger tires. I put a taper on the side that faces the original bolt to interface near the outside diameter of the ball seat. That'll reduce the stress on the mount and avoids interference at the fillets on the original mount that taper into the threads. I have some extra wheel bolts for holding the tire in place. With 5 bolts and 2 nuts you can make it look factory all the way around.

I would be tempted to cross drill vent holes into the bottom of the tapped holes because it felt a little like it was getting air locked when screwing on the adapters.

But at precision wheel, they have studs so you could screw those in and use the original nuts (or aftermarket if you desire). It'd be a little easier to manage the tire removal and replacement that way too but you might want some nut/bolt covers if your a cosmetic freak.

http://www.prestigewheel.com

Hey! Anybody have a valid sellers permit number? THey'll give me (or you) a good discount if i sign up as a distrubutor but i don't have a # to give them... i'm looking into it for the purchase of 25 bolts for my new 16" wheels.

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GwagenLover

· #12 · Feb 23, 2005

RE: Your drawing...

Ewalberg,
I think I would use Hex stock, put it in a lathe and drill the tap size hole all the way thru the stock.
Then tap it as deep as the tap would go. Three of these would tighten up over the present bolts that are sticking out of the present tire mount. I do not think there would be any problems with this and 3 adapters would work just fine. The cost would be far less than making an entire mount. Only a bout an hour of lathe time and some hex stock would be required I think.

ewalberg

· #13 · Feb 23, 2005

RE: Your drawing...

It sounds like we're basically thinking about the same thing. hex or even square stock would obviate the need for the 1" flats i used. I considered using it, but what i used was "free". What took the most "thinking" was how to manage/accomodate the ball seats on the original mount and to get the spacing right in doing so. They're pretty rounded. I didn't want to crank onto the small filleted front face of the ball seat, although doing so would otherwise make life easier on figuring the lengths.

One other thing. If you want to use studs, i wouldn't tap as deep as you possible, in fact i might only tap 1 inch deep or so on the tire side to give them something to lock up on. If you have a jobber bit you can drill all the way through for sure. Either way, they still go on fine.

GwagenLover

· #14 · Feb 23, 2005

Sounds like we are on the right track now. I take it you have already made your adapters and have checked them out for reliability. I will have to purchase the hex stock and of course that will be some expense, but my buddie will let me use his lathe to do the work. The only other time will be me standing in front of that lathe. I'm going to look around and see if I can find some stock.

ewalberg

· #15 · Feb 23, 2005

yeah, i've been using the design shown for a while without any issues. THe door feels lighter and closes easier/quieter and keeps the tire in the same spot with et63 wheels... 20mm shorter for the et43 wheels unless fitting big tires, then i'd leave it alone or make it longer potentially. I really cranked down on them (more than i needed to) when i tighened them onto the original mounting posts and in doing so they shifted slightly so it was a little tricky getting the 3rd bolt in place, but manageable.

The rear-seat removal tool is working well for me. I've used it a few times to re-install my rear seats. Without the tool i have no idea how i'd get it back in. I just use it to re-install the shock rather than for removal also.

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