DIY Swing Out Spare Tire Carrier '4wd'
 

I've been trying to upload my DIY spare tire carrier on my van at the Delica club forums, but for some reason there a plethora of technical issues regarding the website....

So maybe someone here might find this interesting and or useful.

I have a 97 Mitsubishi L400 Delica Van 4wd.

Somewhat rare fruit over in the USA...but I am starting to see them get imported over there due to the 25 year rule...

Anyway over here in Australia they've been a JDM grey import.

However My method of design/engineering could be adapted to any vehicle.

So the criteria :

1)Running on 31's so don't fit under slung in the factory spare carrier. Free up space for a water tank in future...

2)Want to carry extra fuel 2x 25l shorty cans.

3)Mounting points for my recovery tracks..

4)Think I found a nook for a 2kg gas/propane tank...

5)And perhaps enough room for a fold down table one day...

I already have an existing towbar with a fixed ball and I am not exactly deep pockets...mostly lint lined. So buying off the shelf wouldn't achieve my goals and getting fabbed would cost to much especially in current economic times.

So putting my 160amp ebay welder to the test and burning through some discs and flappy sanding wheels along the way.

I went to my local Steel supplier and asked about getting tube bent...

He pointed me in the direction of precast bends....

then to make the structure function I needed 2 sections pipe...1 that fits inside the other...

So he helped source such pipe parameters...

40mm O/D was picked mainly as it matched the rest of the vans barwork. Yes i know the larger pipe is Gal...precautions are taken when welding...

I am starting with the lower base (U) shape which will seat on top of the current tow cross bar...

I had to grind down some of the inner support sections to fit inside the Bends for structural/strength support...yes this adds more weight but I don't want this thing to fail...

3 meters of 40mm gal and 1.8m of inner 32mm pipe plus the 2 sweep bends came to about $150aud total at the time.

When I read the subject line, I thought you were hanging a tire from a tree. Obviously not. Looks good.

is this what you were looking for Cheesy?
https://www.guidepatterns.com/ways-t...ire-swings.php

I'll tweak the title...

The title is fine.

Old motorcycle tires end up in my trees.

concept in practice
 

All coming together with the swing carrier.

1 side is the hinge with a fixed pivot made from the inner pipe.
the other forms the lock with a split section and the inner pipe forming a lock pin.

The points where the right angle bends are all reinforced with sections of inner pipe and pocket welds.

The tire mount is sourced from a factory Mitsubishi pajero/montero tail gate which has the same stud pattern and I am also using 15x7 rims from the same vehicle. I found the spare wheel mount online from a salvage yard.
So if you're inclined to make something similar you will need to procure a carry bracket to match your wheels...

Basic frame done now, might add another support strut to alleviate gravity force when swung out.

Still in thinking mode for the jerry can holders...also out of materials.

A little more progress
 

Just making some more sporadic progress on the spare wheel rack.

added threads from cut wheel down wheel studs.

the nut/washer/bolt is just another over engineer measure I need to weld another washer on the carrier arm section. But its primary function is to stop an easy lift off and keep elements out of the inside of the pipe...

Yes I drilled a couple of drain holes...

Sticking my DIY stainless exhaust attempt here.
 

The spare carrier is taking a backfoot.

I decided to attempt my stainless steel exhaust for the Delica van.

I've had the pipes, bends, resonator, turbo flange, band clamps and the flex joiner in storage for as long as the bike project...

Just didn't have the courage to attempt it welding skill wise...but the current exhaust is rotten so its a matter of putting what skill gained welding I have to the job at hand.

Paying the extra for push fit expanded pipe bends and fittings helped with alignment and made welding much more forgiving than but end joins...so that's my tip.

I just wanted to show what 160amp/240v gasless stainless steel welding wire can do...

Had to crank up the amps on the welder to 11. "its all she's got captain"
if your on 110v then I'd recommend a welder no less than 200amps..

Stainless steel needs heat for penetration and puddling.

Is it TIG fusion weld quality...heck no.

But its good enough for an exhaust pipe that wont be seen...yes.

Back To Stainless Steel
 

Having passed my XL185 custom header pipe and muffler tip apprenticeship.

And with the van getting a new alternator, while there was room in the engine bay it felt like picking up up where I left off on the 3" stainless steel exhaust system was due...

First was getting the old system out....not to much of a fight but I opted to cut it in half rather than attempt to undo the old flange...

Next was to see if my just guess, eagle eye on a half a chance, hope for the best with a pinch of luck dump pipe prefab would just bolt in and clear....

Well it did...but it fell short and the exit angle is a bit off... So Ive ordered some extra bends/extensions...

I'n not confident enough in making butt welds so opting to pay for slip over pipe fittings where pipe ends meet.

Prices have gone up...So I made the right move on preemptive material purchases...

Anyway its looking like a fairly straight shot to the rear axle with wiggle room. Just have to get the dump exit correct.

Also looks like all the original hangers should be reusable too...

Tail Pipe and tip
 

Still putting in time on the Van full exhaust.

Got the over rear axle and tail pipe to tip section arranged.

Started to finish the weld but my wire spool ran out...So ordered another 450gram .9mm blue demon stainless gasless mig spool...Which being a USA made product in Australian dollars now put a dent in my bank account.

Fairly certain once its done hoping the pipe will last longer than the van... and me come to think of it, so the whatever is spent now will pay for itself long term...

Going to be a while before the new spool arrives.

But I think I have enough left over pipe to mock up a snorkel.

And also the spare tire swing carrier could get a look see and I have some 2mm wielding sticks in the meantime while the van is out of action...

Lern'n to Weld Stick
 

First attempt at welding with stick.

Eventually figured out how to drift an arc and carry a pool.

Needed to use stick on the swing out wheel carrier for a more solid bead and weld penetration...

I'd call it well tacked for now need to add some gussets for torsional strength and an upper hinge mount/support.

But other than that the primary form and function is in place...

The swing rack can be removed when not required.

You’re a hoopy frood, too?

Don't worry Cheesy I wont recite any poetry...

Can't be any worse than Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings poetry.

I have read the books but my nostalgia resides in the BBC series...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5zT-3aFPOM

I first learned of it through the BBC Radio series in the early 80s. Something to keep me from going stir crazy while working nights.