I was browsing through El_Beautors thread and looking at his tire carrier write up. I realized that I didn't pull my tailgate apart to bolt the latch plate on, it still has the #14 tapping screws that I mounted it "temporarily" to the tailgate with! I have been wheeling with it several times and pounded it down miles of rough gravel road like this with no issues, its still tight. Out of curiosity, I'm going to leave it like this and see if it lasts(with a ratchet strap handy in case it comes loose)

 

Oops! If you do leave it, keep a close eye for signs it's pulling out. You don't want a 35" tire swinging out on you and slamming on the stops as you go around a left hand turn. There's more than a few people with dents in the side panel from that. The ZR2 my brother and I just sold had that exact dent from the tire coming unlatched and swinging on the previous owner.

 

my 96 2wd I put the tire rack on just has self tappers holding the plate on the tailgate. It's held up for 2 years so far and has no signs of giving up. I am even missing a couple, lol. Granted im not holding much more than a 235/75/15 on it

 

Well it's happening!!

More pics in my build thread

 

Lookin good Rex! Welcome to the club!

 

Atta boy Rex!

 

Well it's officially official!!

 

um...hate to point out the obvious, but your tire...it's on the roof.

Looks great!!

 

Hahaha!!! Yeah I still have to attach the latch plate but I ran out of time today. Then it will be going down in its proper new home. Except the mismatched rim is going I bug the crap outta me so I am going to need to order a match soon.

 

Spare Tire Cover 235 75R16 29" 30" 31" NEW 28 8" 31 7" Black Plain D00398G | eBay