Rear Swing-away Tire carrier: Who has one installed?

[jakeslim]

I am a bit hesitant to install my swing-away tire carrier because of the possible rust problems. For those who have them installed or had them installed, do you have problem rust at the bolt areas? also, is there rust around the bracket area?
I think a coating of silicon sealant may help, and perhaps stainless bolts, but not sure. Any thoughts?

[blazerparts]

I took mine off due to the potential for tailgate / hatch damage if I ever get rear-ended. There was no real noticable rusting around the bolt holes or where the brackets sandwiched the body panels, but I think it is a good idea to always use silicone for any holes through sheet metal.

[jakeslim]

Originally Posted by blazerparts

I took mine off due to the potential for tailgate / hatch damage if I ever get rear-ended. There was no real noticable rusting around the bolt holes or where the brackets sandwiched the body panels, but I think it is a good idea to always use silicone for any holes through sheet metal.

blazerparts, thanks for response. I had not thought about the rear ending risk. I think i'll sit on it a bit longer and just mount the rear cab tire carrier for now.

[2wdBlazer]

I had one on my last blazer that I robbed off another blazer. The doner blazer was petty rusty but under the brackects was pretty decent. Just superficial stuff.

Not mounting for fear of damage is no way to go though. That's like never pulling it out of the garage for fear of a front end collision. Mount that sucker and drive it.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Mine had one OE when new, the holes were filled in for a in the
bed hoop spare tire holder, I agree w/ 2wd, gots to drive em

[bouncytruck]

My '72 has one that is original. No signs of rust. I have one to install on my '69. You should have some rubber pads that install between the bracket and the bedwall. I would gues they would help keep the mosture out of the bolt holes if it is properly tightened down. Maybe apply some sealer to both sides of the rubber padding as well as around the bolt.

[blazerslave]

I didn't like mine and had it removed. Having that big weight on the ass end of the Blazer caused it to squeek in the hatch something awful. There were no corrosion issues with the brackets mounted to the bed & tailgate.

I would much rather have the interior carrier . . . if I could find one for less than $150!

[bouncytruck]

blazerslave, you should be able to sell that swing away and cover a good portion, if not all, of the cost of an interior carrier.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

blazerslave, you should be able to sell that swing away and cover a good portion,
if not all, of the cost of an interior carrier.

Yours is worth at minimum even trade for an interior hoop

[blazerslave]

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

Yours is worth at minimum even trade for an interior hoop

I sold it to someone here on the board. My body man tossed 2 of the brackets. I was so P.O.d

[gjk5]

I just pulled my swing-away off to strip and repaint it, had to leave the upper bracket on the body as i have an aux. tank there, but no signs of any rust other than surface just below the bracket.

[BobbyK]

Originally Posted by gjk5

I just pulled my swing-away off to strip and repaint it, had to leave the upper bracket on the body as i have an aux. tank there, but no signs of any rust other than surface just below the bracket.

That upper bracket has a backing plate on the inside of the quarter panel.
That bracket is NOT accessed from inside the cab.
You remove the side marker light and on the inside of that hole,up and to the left should be a 1/4" rod.
Unbolt the top bracket's bolts while holding the end of the 1/4" rod and you should be able to pull that inner bracket out.

Inner bracket and rod.

[blazerparts]

cool, somebody put a handle on that rascal to hold it up there.

[BobbyK]

Exactly.
I believe that's how they were orig. installed.

[bouncytruck]

All the upper inside brackets I've seen have had the rod attached to them so you can install them. Without the brackets, the swing-away isn't worth much. On of the board members was installing a swing-away he bought without the brackets. I loaned him my brackets so he could look into getting some fabricated. They wanted around $100 each to fabricated just the inside upper and lower brackets. Apparently, the bends are quite complicated and would be difficult to reproduce. If you remove your swing-away, take the brackets out of the inside of the bed and save them!

[blazerparts]

My upper inner bracket didn't have that handle. Good thing I have long arms.

[tpi72blazer]

I removed the tire carrier on mine when I painted it. There were no signs of rust - I think this mainly varies as to where you live. In Colorado rust isn't that big of a problem. When I had my carrier off, I ended up color matching it to the body color instead of the usual black,

[bouncytruck]

My tire carrier is color matched to the body. My understanding is that it was a dealer installed item, but the owner could have had it painted later too. I think they look nice color matched.

[Blue4x4]

is there a inside lower bracket?

[BobbyK]

Not sure.
Mine didn't have one.Just this outer bracket.




I found another pic of the upper inside bracket.

[blazerparts]

yes, there is an inner lower bracket too

[bouncytruck]

Yes, it looks very similar to the lower outside bracket, but has no hinge point. Someplace, I have some pictures of the two brackets but I think they are on my home computer.

[70rs/ss]

I am really sick with myself, the first Blazer I bought had a swing away tire carrier on it and I yanked it and tossed it. I thought it was ugly, now on my third Blazer and I'd like to have a spare that is not laying in the back!! Does anyone have an inside upright mount? I have seen them in some picts. It looks like you give up some space in the back but at least I have a spare and it is not on the outside back (I'd put it there if I cannot find the inside spare holder).