Homemade remedy or recommendations for side spare tire carrier hat channel?

Hi guys,

I have been wanting to put my right rear fender spare tire carrier on my '58 for awhile but when the rear sheetmetal panels were replaced in the 70s, no hat channel was installed. I need to weld up something to reinforce the right rear to the frame, box of the body etc to support the weight. Not really concerned about originality regarding this specific issue so has any one made up their own cross member or other reinforcement that welded in place and worked just as well?
Any one got suggestions or caveats if we went off the grid and just welded something in there? should it connect from the side of the fender to the rear of the fender diagonally? Or over to the inner body panel? or both?? Anyone got REALLY good shots of a hat channel in place so we could copy it?

 

Here you go.

 

In the picture there.
Not a hat channel, but what I would call for lack of better vocabulary maybe, a bulwork. Thick metal plate folded to 90º on the edges and bolted then spot welded to the inner rear of the fender and the side wall of the box. Also maybe welded to that seat-like area on that side. The tire mount is then bolted through that bulwork and fender/body panel so that one bolt is at the top and one at the bottom. The other two bolts have big fender washers on them to keep from pulling through the body panel.

Although if you try to go through an area that is just wide enough to clear your front fenders and wheels ( and steps if you have them mounted), you will rub that tire and mount right off the side of your jeep. My '60 had a large hole there where the mount was when I got it. Then the Bozo PO welded the mount to the tailgate. Be better to make or get a rear bumper mounted tire mount. The tailgate must be bolted in the closed position, because it won't handle the weight any other way. Stock size spares only.

 

Thanks for the great info and pic guys. Factory spare, factory carrier, my spare used to be on a massive home built spare carrier on the back but I like to see that 'Willys' tailgate and it had a side spare originally so I'd like to redo it. I am not a trail rider so my biggest issue is not whacking the garage door frame with the spare when backing in!

 

Might check out Classic Enterprises. They were manufacturing the supports for the spare tire mount iirc.


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All good info, but I want to make one, not buy one, I am looking for anyone who did a DIY job on this, that's why pix would be great I want to copy something that worked.

 

Try a search, either here on on the web in general. Should be lotta write-ups on the subject.
I've seen them advertised on Craigslist.org around here for $350 to $400.

 

$350 - 400 for a hat channel???

 

A rear swing away style spare mount does work well. There are styles that swing down which are light and simple. The side mounted spare was constantly sticking out and hitting things. A whole lot of bent right rear quarter panels resulted from that side mounted spare.

 

I have that inner squarish piece with the hole in it ,are you looking for that ?

 

CJ5/442 Yeah i think that is the hat channel, can you shoot a photo of like every possible angle of how that is mounted?

 

Guys, he's asking about reinforcing the body to use the side mounted spare. He removed a rear mount style. Please keep this in mind when replying.


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Just for my own info, I looked at my brothers '71 cj6. It has both the hat channel, (the horizantal piece that runs from the tailgaste opening,around the corner, then ends close to the wheel opening) and the squareish piece that is spot welded to the fender/body on both sides and the top of the wheel box.
Scott Milliner sent you a good pic of most of the hat channel.
As far as how to make one, find some 1/2 x 1 1/4 c channel or square tube, bend it to fit the radius and weld it in unless you are going for the full stock resto.
Check the CJ2a site and the 3b site, there might be something there.

You know how we feel about pictures, that might have helped.

John

 

http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/Tech/Spare.html
http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/Photos/Tech/Spare/SpareBracePosition.jpg
http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/Photos/Tech/Spare/SpareBraceLeft.jpg

Maybe this will help you some.

I can't remember what mine looked like when I got it. But I know the fender was a mess. I say my uncle forgot it was over there pulling it out of the barn one day lol.