i have a 85 4 runner and i am looking for an exterior spare tire rack to attach to tailgate.i know this was not a factory made product but surely there is one out there that with a little modification would bolt up. SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE!

 

We had an '86 4Runner way back then, and I can't recall whether there were even such spare tire carriers available back then.

One of the issues is that you can't just bolt that puppy on like it was a piece of trim or something. Given all the weight that the carrier will support,you need LOTS of support for the body panel (tailgate)to keep it from bending. WIth the power window in the tailgate, this could be a challenge. Even some of the factory carriers from the late '80s/early '90s had problems with metal fatigue, cracking & bending around the attachment bolts, etc. and this was from Toyota!

Another issue is that your truck is now over 20 years old, and I doubt that many after market suppliers of such carriers will still have anything like that in stock. If you get lucky, someone may still have a template or pattern for one and might be convinced to build one for you. If so, be prepared to pay a premium for it.

Another option for you might be some sort of roof rack that would allow you to carry your spare up there. Awful heavy getting the spare in or out, but that could work.

 

I am facing the same problem I love my Toyotas but what wre they thinking when they designed the spare tire carrier
Mounting one one the rear door isn`t gonna work The roof is out on the front??
It looks like I am gonna have to fabricate one underneath
Maybe in Japan they get flat tires a whole lot more often so all the spare tire mounting hardware stays free

 

here is some info... Its in the new guy section too...

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/RearBumper.shtml

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_bumpers.shtml#Rear

Look around a little too. good luck..

J

 

hey i have a 86 and i tore some parts off a 85 down out of the scrap yard and the spare tire was underneath the bed and its hooked to the rear crossover member on the frame