After all the haressement from friends I finally got around to building a tire carrier instead off tie downs.

Here is a few thoughts I had for designing the system
1. Tire size: Right now I have 37 but will probably going to 39.5 at tax time
2. Still be able to open the toolbox will tire mounted.
3. The threaded rod as to be removable so I can lift the bed floor up for maintaince and other crap.

Here is the threaded rod mount. There is a nut welded on the underside of the bracket then I just tighten the top nut down to keep the rod on. The rod I happen to get free from a bolt store since they were closing soon and didnt want to ring up a 1.50 bolt from their cheap bucket. There is no flex in the bracket after welding side pieces to it.
http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Tire%20Carrier/small/Rod.jpg

Here is the clamp speader I made out of some 1/4 Al diamond plate I recieved from work. This shit was a pain in the ass to cut. I dont have a plasma cutter that is nearly strong enough so I just had to cut down with a cutoff wheel then plasma in the groove. Hopefully I will find a better way to make it perfectly round at a later date.
http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Tire%20Carrier/small/spreader.jpg

Later on I need to build a better clamp handle and I'm going to add the lug sockets on the end of the handles like my buddy has. Maybe pick up some 1" or .5" rod this week for a new one. I had to build a tube spacer so I can clamp the tire down.
http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Tire%20Carrier/small/Mounting.jpg

At the end it looks like I screwed up on my design requirements. With a 39.5 tire the middle handle on the tool box will hit. I never use the middle handle, I just use the two outside ones.
http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Tire%20Carrier/small/clearance.jpg

Tire mount done.
http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Tire%20Carrier/small/tire.jpg


Items still left to build.
1. Mount for a 60in highlift. should be a pain to find a good spot.
2. Ordered the riv nuts to secure the AL bed floor down with flat head allen bolts.
3. rear tail lights. Ordering these also tonight.
4. mount airtank with powertank bracket I have.

nice! i shoulda mounted my 'handle' to the nut, instead of the all thread, like you did. my plate has two studs in it to keep it in place by going thru lug nut stud holes...

nice! i shoulda mounted my 'handle' to the nut, instead of the all thread, like you did. my plate has two studs in it to keep it in place by going thru lug nut stud holes...

I was thinking about placing studs in the plate but I was just so dam sick of working on the AL plate. Your carrier looks alot cleaner then mine. I did order the rivet-nuts for the bed tonight from McMaster. Should have a cool post on that next week.

rivet-nuts for removable bedsides??

rivet-nuts for removable bedsides??

Not that part just yet but for the Al bed floor. I had it blind rivet down but that got old real quick of having to drill them out each time. This way I can remove the floor real easy. Today I even trimmed it so it was no longer under the toolbox.

http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Bedfloor/riv-nut.JPG

http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Bedfloor/screw.JPG
http://www.nmtorra.com/truckbuild/Bedfloor/screw2.JPG

cool! if i had the time and motivation to chop on the taco again, id make a tube bed with those for sheetmetal mounts(like wyatt's four door demello tacomas bed sides)

cool! if i had the time and motivation to chop on the taco again, id make a tube bed with those for sheetmetal mounts(like wyatt's four door demello tacomas bed sides)

I know how you feel. I would love to make sides for the truck but I hate working with sheetmetal so if I'm really bored then maybe. I'm just finishing up these projects so it takes alot less time to get ready for trips. Rachet straps take awhile to setup.