Need advice for tire carrier spindle

[randy88k5]

I bought a swing-out tire carrier a few years ago. Really good quality. Unfortunately, it sheared both mounting points when I was offroading (fortunately). I have been concerned about that happening after reading that post on Pirate a while back, so I guess I saw this coming.

Now I'm finally getting around to making repairs to it. I am going to go with a much beefier spindle. I think the one that was used is the 1000lb spindle. I found these at Northern Tool:



3000lb capacity

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326378_200326378


1750 capacity

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200314619_200314619


Anybody have any suggestions on which to use and how to securely mount it within the bumper?

Here is the currrent design:

 

[dontoe]

It ain't the same style, but it works really well. I have broken both ends of the center mount. Top point last year at Tellico and bumper mount of center link this year at Tellico. It is rougher than 'ell there though. I plan on installing another "top link" like the center mount. Mount the two about a foot or so apart.
Both times the center link failed, the tire carrier dropped (rotated) to the ground. Simply tied it back in place with a ratchet strap for the rest of the trail and welded it back when I got home.

 

[randy88k5]

Thanks Dontoe, I have always admired your design. I kinda wanted to keep my same design by just cutting out the old spindle and welding a new one, larger one, in its place.

Do you think one of the spindles mentioned above would be better than the other? I am trying to get an idea of which would have a stronger mount within the bumper.

I was thinking of the one with the square shank, as I can weld some square tube inside the bumper to give the mount more internal support.

Any thoughts?

 

[dontoe]

Well, my thoughts are;
Drill a hole through the top, out through the bottom. A sleeve slid through the hole. Grind to shape. Weld top and bottom. That should reinforce the area enough.............go with the biggest spindle ya can.
You're putting extra strain on the mount with the leverage of the tire so far from the mounting line, like I am.

Just off the top 'o me 'ead.

 

[jamber2541]

dana 44 spindle, cheap and strong

 

[4X4HIGH]

Give Kert at DIY4X a call, he makes a hinge and he has the spindle made to his specs and from the sounds of it is much stronger than the 1000lb spindle everyone else is using. I should have mine from him possibly on friday or monday.

 

[Mudstud]

Your problem isn't so much the mounting area breaking as it is the sheer point of the spindel itself. You have some serious stress on that spindle with a tire bouncing around back there. Though the square one looks like it'd be easier to fab with, I'm kinda leaning toward the round style just ciz of the weight factor.

Hey Dontoe. I like yours too but how do you gain access to the shackles without the tire rack falling down? I guess just unscrew it in place (don't remove the pin?)

 

[dontoe]

Hey Dontoe. I like yours too but how do you gain access to the shackles without the tire rack falling down? I guess just unscrew it in place (don't remove the pin?)

I carry three extra clevis'/shackles in my recovery box................they're used a lot and they're relatively cheap!