Anybody know about this rare blazer tire carrier?
 

When I bought my 1985 S10 Blazer 4x4 for a measly $1,200 last year, I knew I'd be hard pressed to find most of the parts for it. After investing a lot of time and money into my build, I have come across one item in particular that I can't even find one Google image of.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...9455c5f38c.jpg
(Photo credit: myself)
The original mounting hardware for the bumper mounted spare tire carrier, covered with a piece of plastic installed by the previous owner.

I've heard rumors that it was a dealer option made strictly for the '85 4x4 Tahoe trim level, to which I have read nothing to confirm. My Blazer was manufactured in Shreveport, Louisiana and I doubt the original dealership still exists to call and find out. I've tried countless Google image and web searches to no avail. I'm guessing if I had the part number to it I would have a better chance of locating the manufacturer; but of course, I can't find that either!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...af009f51d7.jpg
(Photo credit: also me)
The original hardware for the bumper mounted tire carrier, I suppose this would have held the bracket that locks it in place.

I had a small stroke of luck finding one in a parts yard last summer, still attached to its original Blazer. I hadn't done the research to figure out exactly how rare it freaking is so after not bringing the right tools for the job (I was looking for a carburetor) and trying to remove it in the hot sun for over an hour, I went home without it. I went back a second time to the same parts yard to remove it and the entire blazer was gone (@#$!). All being said, I'm hoping this post will shed some light on this hard to find part and maybe I'll finally be able to add the only missing piece of my (mostly original) '85 4x4. Thanks for reading!

I've seen aftermarket tire carriers that attach to the bumper, but never a stock one on an S-Series.
Very interesting. I'll keep an eye out when I'm at the man mall for this.

Without the tire carrier, where are y'all placing the spare? mine is just laying resting against the drivers side in the "trunk" area as the person I got my '84 from didnt even have the attachment for the spare to be kept inside of the vehicle.