Since there doesn't seem to be any swing-out tire carrier bumpers for the 4-door sidekick, I was wondering if any of you 4-door owners came up with any mounting points for your spare tire?  Obviously roof rack or inside behind the rear seats would be the 2 easy places.  Has anyone tried to mount it on the back door using a bracket that lifts it high enough to clear the bumper?  Canthe back door take the weight of a 31" or 33"?

Well, From what I know and will be doing later is to modify the stock carrier to fit.
"say what " you say?
THis is what a friend did to his.
He cut off just the part that holds the wheel.
Placed it on his bigger wheel.
Set the spare tire on the bumper and rewelded it back together.
This way some of the wieght is resting on the bumper.
(his is a 2dr covertable)
He also said he hasn't had a problem with it.
BTW. Make sure the rubber tire stops (on the door)are tight against the tire so it doesn't wobble and bend the tailgate.
They may need to be cut shorter tho.

Kind've like so

Hope this helps alittle

ahhh. Yes, much simpler than a custom bumper.  A jeep-driving friend of mine said I should just put wheel spacers on there so that it clears (and hangs behind) the bumper.  Ridiculous.

Modifying the mount though...seems simple enough.  I may decide to go with the cheaper tube bumper then, and keep it mounted to the door.

Perhaps I shoule add some kind of plate on the inside of the door as a brace...

A jeep-driving friend of mine said I should just put wheel spacers on there so that it clears (and hangs behind) the bumper.  Ridiculous.

Friend don't let friends drive Jeeps. 

Here is a link to a home made swingaway bumper/hitch/spare tire ect that Heather's 4dr has.
http://www.granitepath.com/~kd7hcg/pictures/rearbumper/index.htm

Look at this.  It fits a 5 on 5 1/2 lug pattern so it will bolt right on a sidekick.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7993915415&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT

here is an Izook review

http://izook.com/reviews/dossparetire/dossparetire.htm

FYI:  I had a 31 on my back gate, when I had no bumper.  The weight of the tire BROKE THE WELD on the stock tire carrier.  I would not recommend any solution that includes the stock tire carrier.

FYI:  I had a 31 on my back gate, when I had no bumper.  The weight of the tire BROKE THE WELD on the stock tire carrier.  I would not recommend any solution that includes the stock tire carrier.

+1

Also, when we hard a 31 on our tire carrier, it weakened the hinges on the back door.

I have been running my 33 on the stock mount for years with no trouble. I think mine has held up good because my 33x12.50 and a 15x10 rim with 4" BS pulls the rubber tight against the door keeping it moving at all when tightned down.

Were your 31's spaced away from the door or pulled tight agains it?

Zig

Were your 31's spaced away from the door or pulled tight agains it?

As I recall it wasn't tight against the door.  Once the weld broke, it DEFINITELY wasn't tight against the door.

here's what i did to mine. i drilled out the spot welds and moved the carrier up 1" and bolted it back together and welded the crap out of it. i welded angle iron onto the tire mounting part to strengthen it and added the small piece at the top. so far so good.

derek

Well, From what I know and will be doing later is to modify the stock carrier to fit.
"say what " you say?
THis is what a friend did to his.
He cut off just the part that holds the wheel.
Placed it on his bigger wheel.
Set the spare tire on the bumper and rewelded it back together.
This way some of the wieght is resting on the bumper.
(his is a 2dr covertable)
He also said he hasn't had a problem with it.
BTW. Make sure the rubber tire stops (on the door)are tight against the tire so it doesn't wobble and bend the tailgate.
They may need to be cut shorter tho.

That's cool if you don't want to swing your door open. LOL

FYI:  I had a 31 on my back gate, when I had no bumper.  The weight of the tire BROKE THE WELD on the stock tire carrier.  I would not recommend any solution that includes the stock tire carrier.

x2 ... no way that mount has any business carrying anything more than a 27" tire.

my tire is on the roof now. after welding the crap out of it now the door creaks. i'm thinking of mounting it inside the vehicle because the plastic hard top doesn't seem to like the weight.

derek