Got my side mount mounted

[Reg Evans]

I've always liked the look of side mounted spare tires so I installed one on Old Yeller this weekend. I stole it from Older Yeller. It was a tight fit with the low side box and the bigger tires. Only about 1/2" clearance between the cab and the rear fender after modifying the bracket a little so it could be mounted a little higher to clear the rear fender. Tires are 30x9.50LT M &S and are almost 30" in diameter.

Now all I want to do wheel wise is repaint the rest of my rims black so I don't have to cover up the Dodge Truck Cream colored rims with the wheel covers. Dodge Truck Cream just doesn't look right with an Armour Yellow truck.

AFTER.....I took Paul Flaming's suggestion of red rims. Just some "One Shot" on the outer part of the yellow rims.

[tinlizzy]

Hey Reg are those hood latches you are using for tie downs on the bed?

You have the same bed as I do, where did you get the spare tire mount? Got a pic of it? I was thinking of fabricating one as I have not seen one available anywhere.

Lee

[Young Ed]

I'll second that we need more pics and details. Think theres room for my 215\85R16 between the fender and cab? I'm sure it would be a tight fit

[Reg Evans]

Lee,

No, those are what I call dick head hooks. They were made in the 40's and 50's and are almost hand forged looking. No 2 are exactly alike. Here's a closeup of the hook and the tire mounting bracket.

I had another type of side mount bracket that was basically a 12" sq. plate,a section of 6" steel pipe and a smaller plate with 3 bolts to secure the tire to.

Ed,

I'm not too sure of the diameter of a 215/85R16 is but my tire size calculator says a 215/80R16 is 29.5" in diameter. My 15" tires are 30" dia. and they just fit on a low box. I would think you would have room on your W series too. You just have to raise it up till it clears the fender.

[Young Ed]

I've got a perfectly good under box mount I just always thought it was cool to have a sidemount. Do those 3 pieces just come together in a big flat section the tire mounts to? That doesn't seem too hard to fab

[Reg Evans]

Yes,the plate that is bolted vertically to the bed is one piese of steel with bends in it.

This design would be even easier to fab. No need for a brake to bend the steel in. Excuse the crude drawing.

[pflaming]

Really like the spare up there, going to do the same thing, good work. I agree black wheels will look better. You might get some red tape and tape one wheel red to match the door logo. Red might look good too.

See you at the BBQ?

Paul

[Reg Evans]

Hey yeah. I put some 16" maroon rims on the truck when I first got it. I pilfered them off of another 50 truck I use to have.

Here's what Ole Yeller use to look like with the maroon rims about 11 years ago before I repainted.

[grey beard]

My sidemount bracket came from an early 70's step side with the big well in the front of the fender to make room for the spare. Ed, I have the 215 x 85 16's on my Pilothouse, and the spare fits in there just like it was intended to. Had to move one stud to make the carrier fit the Dodge rims.

Reg, your side mount looks nice. Always lked them up there. Looks more "truckish" or old school, JMHO.

[pflaming]

Great maroon rims. It really a bit hard to make a pilot-house look bad! I am getting a bit partial to the sunvisor. May need one someday, but got to get mine on the road first.

[Young Ed]

My 46s fenders are a little bigger then the pilot house ones until 53 plus I've got the equivalent of a low side box to deal with. I happen to know of a junkyard with a 58 with a sidemount spare in it though....

[Allen I.]

I have a side mount for a 57 but do not think it will work on a PH because it hooks over the edge of the bed and the 57s had a wide, flat top edge.

I may dig it out and think about it ... oh wait, I don't have a bed yet. :p

I'll try to get pics. Mebbe it is not original....

[Reg Evans]

My 46s fenders are a little bigger then the pilot house ones until 53 plus I've got the equivalent of a low side box to deal with. I happen to know of a junkyard with a 58 with a sidemount spare in it though....

Young Ed,

Isn't the wheel base of your 46 around 116" ? My 52 is 108". What's the distance from the fender at the runningboard to the back of your cab ? I think you have the room.

[Young Ed]

I think you are right on the wheel base. I'll have to measure when I get home. Heres a side view though for comparison.

[Reg Evans]

OK....I took Paul Flamings suggestion and painter the yellow rims red with some one shot. I only painted the part that shows beyond the wheel cover.

Scroll to the top of this thread to see the before and after.

If it grows on me I'll sandblast all of them and repaint them red .....including the black powder coated spare.

[OLD DODGE]

Looks good Reg. I like it.

[Young Ed]

Ya the red wheels match your door logo

[Reg Evans]

OK thanks. So far that's two yes votes.

Next improvement........I'm going to replace that phony chrome fender welt with some black fender welt.

[Don Coatney]

Reg;

Everything you are doing to this truck is wrong. Suggest you toss the vacuum advance in the bed of the truck and ship the truck to me. It will take me 5-6 years or more to correct your mistakes but rest assured I will ship it back to you once everything has been corrected.

[Reg Evans]

Mr. C,

You know I was gettin ready to take you up on your generous offer and ship the truck to you until I rememberd

something you stated a few days ago about where your heart really lies.

Something about a Bee, or a Wasp, or a Hornet er something.

I wouldn't see my truck for at least 10 years cause it would take a back burner to one of these puppies.

[pflaming]

Looks vry good. Now put a very thin red pinstripe on the wood sides, only one per board. Neat truck, I like it!

[Reg Evans]

Paul,

Here's how the truck looked a few years back when I was using it daily in my construction bidness.

I think I got a little carried away with those red sideboards.

Now,I should probably go ahead and get clearance for the thin red line on the sideboards from The Don first before I try your suggestion.

[Don Coatney]

Clearance granted:rolleyes:

[Mario Loya B1B]

Like Reg, I too have always liked the side mounted spare tire. I can't believe I procrastinated for so long. Everything I need has been sitting in my garage for over a year now and the install took me less than an hour. What do ya think?

[Reg Evans]

I like it ALOT !