Vanagon spare tire mount

[Beerhippie]

My original plan was to make some kind of swing-away spare mount. Then I realized where the license plate was. Move the plate. Then move the plate lights--Oregon cops are touchy about that.

Screw it. Mount the damned spare inside.







It's just tacked together in the last two pics. It got some nice, fat goober welds before final installation. The piece going to the floor get a couple of 1/4" bolts.

If that come loose, everyone in the rig is already dead, anyway.

Now to figure out what the mystery wiring, fuses and relays are for.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Is your licence plate mounted on the rear hatch or the factory position?
Normally the swing away carriers mount it higher above the rear lights and licence plate.

I think the relays in that position are for the air con.

 

[Beerhippie]

Is your licence plate mounted on the rear hatch or the factory position?
Normally the swing away carriers mount it higher above the rear lights and licence plate.

I think the relays in that position are for the air con.

That's a nice lookin' Van! I'm jealous of the rear-mount ladder, in particular. Mine has a gutter/jackpoint mounted ladder on the side, which has to come off for most driving.

To be honest, I can't afford a swing-away right now. I've pretty well shot my load when it comes to this project. This was a Q&D way to get the tire somewhat out of the way and safely secured until I can find, make or afford a swing-away.

The Vanagon gurus at The Samba have confirmed that that wiring is for the AC system. I intend to delete that, so I can use the fuse block and hot lead for lighting, etc.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

That's a nice lookin' Van! I'm jealous of the rear-mount ladder, in particular. Mine has a gutter/jackpoint mounted ladder on the side, which has to come off for most driving.

To be honest, I can't afford a swing-away right now. I've pretty well shot my load when it comes to this project. This was a Q&D way to get the tire somewhat out of the way and safely secured until I can find, make or afford a swing-away.

The Vanagon gurus at The Samba have confirmed that that wiring is for the AC system. I intend to delete that, so I can use the fuse block and hot lead for lighting, etc.

Its not mine unfortunately. Just a piccy off google. Mines just a 2wd 1988 caravelle cl which is now looking a little worse for wear around the seams.

 

[Beerhippie]

Mines just a 2wd 1988 caravelle cl

My previous Van, Ol' Blue, was an '85 GL 2wd. It took me everywhere I needed or wanted to go for about thirty years.



It got long COVID back in '20 and hasn't been run since. I swapped it with a friend for use of his shop, where I had my new Van, Moby Brick, on the lift for most of December.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

My previous Van, Ol' Blue, was an '85 GL 2wd. It took me everywhere I needed or wanted to go for about thirty years.



It got long COVID back in '20 and hasn't been run since. I swapped it with a friend for use of his shop, where I had my new Van, Moby Brick, on the lift for most of December.

I've had mine 15 years now.

 

[Beerhippie]

I've had mine 15 years now.

I'd have loved to keep Ol' Blue and fix 'er up, but for the price I paid for the Brick, I got ahead of work needed on Ol' Blue by about $25K.

 

[Beerhippie]

I just took the Brick over to the parts store and had them test the 110A alt that's in it. By their measure, it's fine.

I took the other salvage alt--90A--to the NAPA and had them bench test it. "Sketchy" was the answer--sounds like a dry bearing.

So, do I order the rebuild kit for the stock 90A to carry as a spare, or order one for the 110A upgrade and rebuild it? Ideally, I'd do both, but finances and the urge to get out and do some camping soonest make that unlikely in the immediate future.

 

[larry4406]

Remove the red bulb?

And carry a spare battery.

 

[rust in the eye]

I see you have a bed in there. Upholster the thing and call it a pillow

 

[WoodsTruck]

I'll contribute content but likely not very useful.
I had put a '67 Bus transaxle in with the gear reduction boxes and then the John Johnson "No-Hop" to control the torque hop.
Hydraulic steering brake and turned the front tubes. I built the roof rack out of scrap metal to carry lights and a CB antenna (removed for other reasons), the spare tire, or on a whim, my 15' fiberglass Herter's canoe that comes with it's own storied past.
1641cc dual port engine with a 2-bbl progressive Weber carb put it down the road. Not fast, but down the road.
3" body lift was added, cuz, why not? This then required a seat lift to go with it. All built with scrap pieces at that point.
Fun at the time, some ways I entertain what I would do with it if I still had it.
I'm having fun watching you "mod" your brick.

 

[Beerhippie]

@WoodsTruck : Nice lookin' buggy! I'll bet that was fun!

Storing the spare on my roof rack isn't an option. I'd need to make and mount a davit to get it on or off of the roof!

Boy, did that last post of mine end up in the wrong thread....

 

[larry4406]

@WoodsTruck : Nice lookin' buggy! I'll bet that was fun!

Storing the spare on my roof rack isn't an option. I'd need to make and mount a davit to get it on or off of the roof!

Boy, did that last post of mine end up in the wrong thread....

Day drinking?

 

[Beerhippie]

Day drinking?

Unfortunately, it's early-onset CRS.

 

[Wrench97]

early-onset CRS

Cytokine Release Syndrome?​

 

[larry4406]

CRS - can’t remember s#%t