Winter has put a damper on me getting after it. Also kind of waiting for my top install so I can get after the interior more. So I have been working on a couple little things. Collecting all my electrical hardware, Insulation on the way, Pop Out rear windows, and a few other things. Time to get busy.
This is a quick little mod I did concerning an Aluminess Spare Tire Carrier. First a big thanks to CaptainVo for selling me his old one and Skyl330 for kindly hooking me up with the spacer. So Captain had no hinge strap on this one so I figured no problem, I will just make one. After mounting it up and looking it over, I decided to put my bracket making skills to work. Brackets hold the world together, and I have made quite a few in my career, so off I went.
So this also avoids drilling out and hammering the hinge pin. Yes I have to drill some holes in the door frame, but those are hidden and can easily be filled and touched up. I also like the way this supports the upright better and actually opposes the force of the tire. Seems like the Hinge Strap would rotate if the tire bounced. The aluminum does flex a bit with the bend in it, which could be a good thing as it will relieve strain on the screws.
This one is 0.125 Aluminum and attaches inside the door frame. I used sheet metal screws forward where the metal is double and Insert Nuts at the back and some washers underneath. It just clears the door with no rub. It's dang solid and I put a bit of pretension in the upright. Time will tell if it handles vibration and bouncing. I figure I could remake it out of lighter gauge steel and beef up the inserts. It seemed very sturdy with the tire on it though. Time will tell.