While I am waiting on parts, I thought I would work on some other stuff. I realized I can't fit a spare tire between the rear spreaders. Normally I like to have my junk centered, but I got thinking I could turn the cell sideways and slide the spare in next to it, and strap it down. What I would like to do while I am doing that is to drop my fuel tank down a few inches, and the spare even more. However, there is a crossmember in the way. Sooo, what are your thoughts on cutting it out? There is already a 2x4x1/4 bumper on the back, and there will be some tube running from side to side for the tire to set on.

go for it!
sounds like you got plenty of metal to take up the slack...if it looks safe, it probably is...rock that shit out:mr-t:

Move the crossmember wherever you want it.
A few inches either way won't hurt a thing.

On TC (Project 2) we sunk the cell into the bed and then built the tire carrier off the back of the cage so that it sat just about bed level. We made it so that you can put coolers and jerry cans beneath it ~ the tire kept them in place.

Here are a couple pictures where you can see the tire in the back. Not much, but between the tire (a 42" TSL) and the tailgate, things seemed to stay put.

I thought about leaving the cell against the cage and sinking it 8 inches. I would then have some room to lay the tire above it at an angle, but, there is only about 30 inches betwen the spreaders, and I don't want to have to wrestle it around to get it out ot put gas in.


I'm going to finish the in-tank pump while I think about it.

I thought about leaving the cell against the cage and sinking it 8 inches. I would then have some room to lay the tire above it at an angle, but, there is only about 30 inches betwen the spreaders, and I don't want to have to wrestle it around to get it out ot put gas in.


I'm going to finish the in-tank pump while I think about it.

run a filler hose:shocked:

ive really been wanting to use that new smiley