Project ZU: Rear Tire Carrier

[VXorado]

I finally finished my spare tire carrier using a junked VX door I picked up over the summer. Over a year ago I had an idea to make a tubular spare tire carrier for the VX. The project was quickly ruined once I realized how funny it would look with the rear door bulge...which started the next project :)

Goal: use a VX rear door to make a spare tire carrier (like Tom4bren, Marlin, & eblank) but remove the "bulge" & have the bumper wrap the tire.

Last January I told Jack (PBkid) my plans at a VX meet & he told me "you don't want to do that" :p

In July I sourced a junked VX for the back door & met Mdwyer in the process :happyface

In September I cut the center of the door out and test fitted it.

In October I welded 1"x1" square tubing into the door & found a trooper spare tire carrier from the junk yard.

In November I welded in sheet metal without the "bulge" and began the long process of fiberglass/bodyfill work.

In December I pulled the glass & cladding from my old door and installed them on the custom door.

Overall I'm happy with the door. I finally don't need to worry about where to put the big spare tire ;)

And here we are:

Test fitting the door
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2131.JPG

(http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21860)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/IMAG0279-1.jpg

(http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21861)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2260.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21859)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2259.JPG

(http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21858)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2253.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21856)



http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2250.JPG

(http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21855)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2254.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21857)

I used a bump stop to take the weight off the latch. The bumper had to be cut for the tire to fit so I used sheet metal for the finish.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/IMAG0280-1.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21862)


I left some imperfections on the center of the door because I'll always have a tire back there. I also decided to make the cladding end under the tire rather than attempt to fit the cladding across the door.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2261.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21930)

I kept this project pretty quiet until the end. There were several members following the build so for my next project I will post a thread and keep it updated with progress.

[Ala5ka]

Sooooo great, I cant wait to try something like this with mine! Way to go and take the plunge. Do you have a picture of the back with the tire off? How is the HiLift mounted as well?

First!

[VXorado]

If you look at the pic with the square tubing you can see two bolts going through the tubing which go into the hi-lift jack & secure them to the door.

I don't have a pic without the tire but can take one if you want.

[vt_maverick]

Truly amazing work Jon! Too bad shipping something that size is so expensive or you might have orders already...

[LittleBeast]

Awesome job, looks great!!!!!

[Mile High VX]

Looks great...can't wait to see it in person.

[tom4bren]

Fantastic work. The end product is very clean.

If you haven't already, I recommend that you add a plate behind the upper hinge. The hinge is stout enough but the sheet metal of the door isn't & my hinge is tearing loose from the door. That bump stop should help but is only for vertical support. There will also be longitudinal stress applied to the hinge (especially during rock crawling).

[VXorado]

Thanks guys, I considered working on a second one with my old door & putting it for sale but the time (increased price) & size would be a major issue. I have smaller projects planned for the future & hope to offer those things for sale if there's interest.

Tom, I looked into reinforcing the hinges but didn't have enough room behind them to add strength. If I start having issues, I'll weld the hinge to the door... or something :confused:

[VX KAT]

It looks Amazing! I love the look of the tire on back, and reducing the depth makes it look proportionately perfect! :thumbup:
Plus, it's really cool to see something totally fresh and different.
I'm in awe of these skills many of youz guyz have! WoW!!

[Scott Harness]

Looks fantastic!! That 1st picture is scary though:yesb:

[VX KAT]

That 1st picture is scary though:yesb:
at least it was a spare door..

[JoFotoz]

WOW..this is ....:thumbup:...:thumbup:

Love it.

Jo

[eblank]

Dude... thats just... dude.......

I want.... :drool2::drool2::drool2::drool2::drool2:

Looks great. the black looks really good too. and this should be alot more solid than mine. I'll definitely be looking for an extra door to do something similar (preferably closer than Colorado) when I get some time.

Nice job :thumbup:

[pbkid]

nice job jon.. looks great.

and i said that you dont want to do that because the rear door is weak and if you get rear ended you have no support. Im all about modding the crap outta something :)

:thumbup:

now we need to go test it out, come spring.

On a side note, i might need to meet up with you before may to do some testing with fitting your tires on my Runner and see what happens (i got a hold of a saw and would LOVE 35's) :naughty:

[VXorado]

Looks fantastic!! That 1st picture is scary though:yesb:

I didn't want to risk my good VX door just in case the project went bust. The donor door was a mess from a rollover and required hrs of body work just to get the door good enough to torch a giant hole through it :laughing:


Dude... thats just... dude.......

I want.... :drool2::drool2::drool2::drool2::drool2:

Looks great. the black looks really good too. and this should be alot more solid than mine. I'll definitely be looking for an extra door to do something similar (preferably closer than Alaska) when I get some time.

Nice job :thumbup:

I wasn't sure if the black would look okay & actually painted the door victory white to match the rest of the VX. I paid quite a bit to get matching paint which didn't actually match so I decided to go with black truck bed spray paint instead. Now with the hood & tailgate black, its possible that my VX will be an Ebony after a few more mods.

[VXorado]

now we need to go test it out, come spring.

On a side note, i might need to meet up with you before may to do some testing with fitting your tires on my Runner and see what happens (i got a hold of a saw and would LOVE 35's) :naughty:

Nice, get those 35s Jack :thumbup:

I would like to take a trail run before Moab to make sure everything is ready for summer fun.

On a side note my next project will work on Yotas too. Belt driven on board air system with a york compressor powerful enough to fill large tires quickly, have constant air & run air tools anywhere. I'll make a VX engine bracket for those interested & we could probably fab something for your engine too.

[pbkid]

Nice, get those 35s Jack :thumbup:

I would like to take a trail run before Moab to make sure everything is ready for summer fun.

On a side note my next project will work on Yotas too. Belt driven on board air system with a york compressor powerful enough to fill large tires quickly, have constant air & run air tools anywhere. I'll make a VX engine bracket for those interested & we could probably fab something for your engine too.

hmm, interesting. I was looking into a smittybuilt or arb for the two air tanks i currently have. But they are both electrical.

guess we will see what you come up with. :naughty:

[WRBSTI]

I just saw this in person and WOW! It really does look stock and makes it very aggressive, especially with the hi-lift jack behind it. Well done!

[VXorado]

I just saw this in person and WOW! It really does look stock and makes it very aggressive, especially with the hi-lift jack behind it. Well done!

Thanks, it was nice meeting another local VXer. That good looking ebony you have should scoot once you get the V8 installed ;)

We put off the VX Denver meet from December, maybe we could try again before the Moab trip?

[vt_maverick]

Thanks, it was nice meeting another local VXer. That good looking ebony you have should scoot once you get the V8 installed ;)

We put off the VX Denver meet from December, maybe we could try again before the Moab trip?

Let me know if you guys do this, I'll be flying through Denver on the 13th and 17th of February if you'd be up for something then.

[2Bonthewater]

that looks badass.........

I have no skills.......:waab:
stock4Life ;)

I think the wife has put 1000 miles on the VX.........i'm such a noob

[JHarris1385]

Wow, looks great!

[Ldub]

WOW..this is ....:thumbup:...:thumbup:

Love it.

Jo


Dude... thats just... dude.......

I want.... :drool2::drool2::drool2::drool2::drool2:

Looks great. the black looks really good too. and this should be alot more solid than mine. I'll definitely be looking for an extra door to do something similar (preferably closer than Colorado) when I get some time.

Nice job :thumbup:

X 2...:thumbup:

VERY well done Sir...:smack:

Best idea I've seen in a while...:yesgray:

[Robbomaz]

Excuse the hijack, but where can I get on of those big outline style Isuzu badgeroonies? Like the ZU here but with the ISU as well?
Would look good on the bum of my Jackadeo Frankentruck

[VX KAT]

Excuse the hijack, but where can I get on of those big outline style Isuzu badgeroonies? Like the ZU here but with the ISU as well?
Would look good on the bum of my Jackadeo Frankentruck

You can get it thru Merlin (Isuzu), think they are around $75 USD. I got one for a Russian VXer a couple of months ago and they were available. Let me know if you want me to order one and get it to you.

[VXorado]

Excuse the hijack, but where can I get on of those big outline style Isuzu badgeroonies? Like the ZU here but with the ISU as well?
Would look good on the bum of my Jackadeo Frankentruck

I pulled the ZU from my old door rather than buy a new set. They were a real PITA to remove & glue to the new door but worth it :).

[vxcp]

Awesome work! *I want*

[WormGod]

Got any pics of the exterior of the hatch without the tire mounted? Curious to see what you did to mask the butchery that needed to be done.

[CoastieCosta567]

"SICK", I love it bro. Great Job. Love the black also. Again, :thumbup::thumbup:

[pbkid]

Jon- the rear door looks great, but im just curious, are you going to build some additional protection over that gas tank? it looks like it hangs down quite a bit more than factory because of the body lift.

I realize with bigger tires, it will touch less often, and the OD of the tire is technically closer to the rear of the vehicle, but it just looks vulnerable?


[url=http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21855]

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/106_2250.JPG

[VXorado]

Got any pics of the exterior of the hatch without the tire mounted? Curious to see what you did to mask the butchery that needed to be done.

I'll take a picture this weekend for you & Ala5ka ;)


Jon- the rear door looks great, but im just curious, are you going to build some additional protection over that gas tank? it looks like it hangs down quite a bit more than factory because of the body lift.

I realize with bigger tires, it will touch less often, and the OD of the tire is technically closer to the rear of the vehicle, but it just looks vulnerable?

Its on my list.

I've been waiting for Tom4bren's custom hitch to become available. The design is a perfect way to protect the gas tank.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_03811.JPG

In addition, I want to raise the gas tank 2-3" so I have more rear ground clearance. It shouldn't be too difficult.

[pbkid]

knowing you, i figured you had something brewing, i was just curious if it was re-designing the brackets or a new skid plate....

[VXorado]

knowing you, i figured you had something brewing, i was just curious if it was re-designing the brackets or a new skid plate....

So many projects, so few days to Moab :smilewink

[VXorado]

Do you have a picture of the back with the tire off? How is the HiLift mounted as well?



Got any pics of the exterior of the hatch without the tire mounted? Curious to see what you did to mask the butchery that needed to be done.

I posted a pic today of the rear door without the tire, it's in the first post.

[djvx]

Looks alot better then the bulge imo. That rounded bulge is a little femmish, don't wanna say gay and offend anyone but the term really fits that female like curve on our vx's posterior. It's just not rugged enough looking. Plasma cutting it off and mounting that meaty tire back there is bada$$. Extremely awesome.:evil: I'm on the hunt for a back door to chop up!

[VX KAT]

Looks alot better then the bulge imo. That rounded bulge is a little femmish, don't wanna say gay and offend anyone but the term really fits that female like curve on our vx's posterior. It's just not rugged enough looking. Plasma cutting it off and mounting that meaty tire back there is bada$$. Extremely awesome.:evil: I'm on the hunt for a back door to chop up!

Contact our buddy Vic and drive down and get the Foxfire rear gate! He'd probably sell it separately.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250979098149?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1316wt_1187

[djvx]

Thanks guys, I considered working on a second one with my old door & putting it for sale but the time (increased price) & size would be a major issue. I have smaller projects planned for the future & hope to offer those things for sale if there's interest.

Tom, I looked into reinforcing the hinges but didn't have enough room behind them to add strength. If I start having issues, I'll weld the hinge to the door... or something :confused:

Glue or adhere support shims onto the cladding so as you shut the door it slides up onto the shim supports. Then the door is held up by the hinges, the latch, and the shim supports. It aint goin anywhere.

[VXorado]

Glue or adhere support shims onto the cladding so as you shut the door it slides up onto the shim supports. Then the door is held up by the hinges, the latch, and the shim supports. It aint goin anywhere.

The bump stop I installed seems to be doing a good job supporting the door. I also installed a safety strap to the tire carrier just in case something really broke. I was a little nervous when I first installed the door that a "weak link" would show but now I'm confident the door will hold up.

[djvx]

The bump stop I installed seems to be doing a good job supporting the door. I also installed a safety strap to the tire carrier just in case something really broke. I was a little nervous when I first installed the door that a "weak link" would show but now I'm confident the door will hold up.
Im starting a thread looking for a back door.

[VX KAT]

Im starting a thread looking for a back door.

Did you read my post #36 and click on the link? There's one in Lake Villa, that's like what 2 hr drive tops?

[Triathlete]

With the body lift you need to find a way to lift the gas tank...it really hangs down and is more noticeable without the hump.

[vt_maverick]

That rounded bulge is a little femmish, don't wanna say gay and offend anyone but the term really fits that female like curve on our vx's posterior. It's just not rugged enough looking. Plasma cutting it off and mounting that meaty tire back there is bada$$. Extremely awesome.:evil: I'm on the hunt for a back door to chop up!

O/T, but how is a woman's curvy derriere a bad thing? ;) I guess if you personify your VX as a man rather than a sexy lady perhaps... :bwgy:

Just joshin' ya! :)

[Ala5ka]

Question? Do you ever think of your HiLift as a samurai sword? Because that's how I feel about it. Also thanks for the rear door pic, I've got some ideas for when I do this :)

[VXorado]

With the body lift you need to find a way to lift the gas tank...it really hangs down and is more noticeable without the hump.

Late to the Party :bwgy:



Its on my list.

I've been waiting for Tom4bren's custom hitch to become available. The design is a perfect way to protect the gas tank.

In addition, I want to raise the gas tank 2-3" so I have more rear ground clearance. It shouldn't be too difficult.

Here's a pic of Matt's Trooper from Indy4x for reference. With the skid plate off I should be able to cut the 2 inner mounts & weld the tank higher. Looks to be a fairly easy project & the result will look much better with a tucked gas tank. I also need to make a rear bumper plate to cover up the frame below the cladding.
http://independent4x.com/encapsgallery/rwx_gallery/93RSrear6.JPG

[VXorado]

Question? Do you ever think of your HiLift as a samurai sword? Because that's how I feel about it. Also thanks for the rear door pic, I've got some ideas for when I do this :)

:laughing: I was thinking red squirrel tail when I first put the hi-lift on because I had it mounted above the roof line & visible from the front. Samurai Sword... much cooler :thumbup:

[Triathlete]

Fashionably Late to the Party :bwgy:


Fixed it for you:bwgy:

[tom4bren]

With the skid plate off I should be able to cut the 2 inner mounts & weld the tank higher. Looks to be a fairly easy project & the result will look much better with a tucked gas tank.

A little more than that. IIRC, the shield at the back of the tank is welded to the tank and to the rear crossmember. That's a cutting/welding job that a pro would hesitate on. It can be done but be careful. Don't want to lose any family members in a blaze of glory.

[djvx]

Contact our buddy Vic and drive down and get the Foxfire rear gate! He'd probably sell it separately.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250979098149?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1316wt_1187

Kat, awesome, thanks for the link. I started looking last night and there was a couple in Illinois too.

[djvx]

Contact our buddy Vic and drive down and get the Foxfire rear gate! He'd probably sell it separately.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250979098149?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1316wt_1187

He listed his cell number on Ebay, its too late to call tonight, thanks for the info!!!

[VX KAT]

He listed his cell number on Ebay, its too late to call tonight, thanks for the info!!!

My hubby grew up in Lake Villa, tells me it's really far far North Chicago, maybe 10 miles from the Wisconsin State line, so it's only 55 miles total for you from Milwaukee... good luck, Vic has been real good to deal with and good prices. He really wants to just get rid of them, so he'll probably be great on price.

[Ldub]

After seeing this in person...:_wrench:.:thumbup:

All I can say is WOW...:yes:

This will be done to Suzy, but alas, won't be NEARLY as well done...:slap:

After grindering & reinforcing what's left, I'm-A gonna do out the whole dealio with diamond plate...:naughty:

Of course...DON'T hold yer breath...:rolleyesg

[VXorado]

After seeing this in person...:_wrench:.:thumbup:

All I can say is WOW...:yes:

This will be done to Suzy, but alas, won't be NEARLY as well done...:slap:

After grindering & reinforcing what's left, I'm-A gonna do out the whole dealio with diamond plate...:naughty:

Of course...DON'T hold yer breath...:rolleyesg

Right on Dub!!!

I can't wait to see your take on the tire carrier... And diamond plate should look real good. Let me know if you need anything along the way. I recommend learning from my mistakes :naughty:

[Ldub]

Right on Dub!!!

I can't wait to see your take on the tire carrier... And diamond plate should look real good. Let me know if you need anything along the way. I recommend learning from my mistakes :naughty:

Yeh Buddy...:thumbup:

Any pics "in process" that haven't already been posted...:smack:

THAT would help...:smilewink

[VXorado]

Hmmm, I'll know I have some... not sure how useful they'll be but i'll look through them and let you know. I can take some close ups of the inner framework as well.

The only thing I want to fix/change is the cladding under the tire. I hate how the cut off is visible. Maybe fiberglass will fix that?

Sue's pics from Moab:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MOAB%20%202012/DSCN1309.jpg

[Thatguy]

This is kind of an old thread, but how did your hinges hold up? I was recently rear ended and interested in doing this to my VX. Did you have to beef up your hinges or have any problems with the latch?

[VXorado]

This is kind of an old thread, but how did your hinges hold up? I was recently rear ended and interested in doing this to my VX. Did you have to beef up your hinges or have any problems with the latch?

No problems at all. I've even tagged the tire on a few rock ledges without any repercussions.


I think this has helped a lot to keep stress off the hinges and latch.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3294/IMAG0280-1.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21862)

[Thatguy]

Thanks for the response! I hope to have this done in the next few weeks. Where did your bump stop come from?

[VXorado]

It's from the front suspension, upper bumpstop. I had the bumpstops lying around after replacing them with a low profile set from indy4x.

[Boonetown123]

Awesome idea man! Honestly one the best looking VXs! I actually took your idea of the snorkel and ordered one myself and put it on.