[mattsrevenge]

finally installed my hitch!

orig cond.

purchased hitch from squeek daddy http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=2683&start=20#p17515

sanded/wire wheel to get all the rust off (almost 3 hours worth), painted w/ rustoleum (sp?) rust converter 2x. then coated in rubberized undercoating 3x. then painted black paint 3x. pulled the orig bracket from the bumper and replaced- no sweat (alot faster than removal off the 92!). whats your thoughts? or does anyone have something to compare with? THANKS!

what i was wondering about...

and

(see comments attached to photos)

and lastly,

 

[tommckay]

The full size will fit where the donut is?

 

[mattsrevenge]

yup! i was surprised as well. when i dropped the spare tire, it was a "universal" (guessing it could have fit a 4-6 lug combo somehow, it had way more than 6 holes, huh, come to think of it- i never counted em. maybe later) spare under. dry rotted and more rust than paint. had to hammer the 'T' at the end of the wire line to get the rim+T separate (rusted together). the general cond of the winch mech and the fact that mine was coated in axle grease (thanks dad!!) there was no rust on the winch/pully (whatever you call it). so i decided to try it out. cuts a little ground clearance down but is still a few inches above the rear diff gear housing. my only other thought was the weight. there is ~7lb diff maybe, but im not sure from spare to full.

 

[tommckay]

Good to know!

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Nice work! Both of my Vans the spare tire holder is just junk. Too many WI winters. :lol:

 

[mattsrevenge]

any thoughs on the hitch? 3 bolts suffice, or 4 req? i wish i had the install inst. the label on the hitch was trashed (no model #) is why i ask.

 

[ghostrider1061]

never hurts to run a bead of weld when in doubt. better to be safe then sorry. i would weld all joints where hitch meets frame. :2:

 

[mattsrevenge]

kudos ghostrider, all i need to do is find a welder!

 

[fm-usa]

Had to clean out the garage this year, not enough space for my new-to-me GL1500.
After (disposing of) a few Astros in my past I accumulated a few spacesaver tires.
I got 2 stacked under the rear even with a class 2 hitch that I made.
Fits just like your fullsize tire, barely noticeable from the rear.

 

[astroturf]

Had to clean out the garage this year, not enough space for my new-to-me GL1500.
After (disposing of) a few Astros in my past I accumulated a few spacesaver tires.
I got 2 stacked under the rear even with a class 2 hitch that I made.
Fits just like your fullsize tire, barely noticeable from the rear.

That is good to know. Thanks, Jim
ps a pic of that would be cool.

 

[dentprone]

kudos ghostrider, all i need to do is find a welder!

PM me if you ever find yourself in FL

 

[tommckay]

Had to clean out the garage this year, not enough space for my new-to-me GL1500.

Another Winger!

 

[Uncle Fester]

The proper temp spare and a full size spare will be the same over all height, just different thickness, full size being thicker than the skinny temp.

As for the hitch, GREAT JOB cleaning it up ! I would add the forth bolt. My thought is, the factory, who ever it is, put it there for a reason , true? The welded bead all around would not hurt, and would stiffen up the frame side to side.... could be a frame saver in a wreck, was in my case. So, I would add the last bolt, even if you have to go to a hitch shop and have them do it. They can do the weld for you too if you go that route. . . .

Good luck and keep the pics coming ! :rockon:

 

[smokinjoe]

As for the full sized spare. The idea is right but the method is flawed. That cable can barely hold the donut & the full sized is substantially heavier. Check out my fix thread.
viewtopic.php?f=66&t=10940&p=117918&hilit=spare+mount#p117918
That cable system (on all vehicles) is sub-par for its intended job. They even had a whole segment on motor week addressing it. If (when) it fails you can imagine the catastrophic results. 70mph projectile on highway in the rain? Not a good scenario.

 

[throrope]

nice install.

I wouldn't worry about welding as long as all available threaded bolt holes are in use. GM put them there for hitches in the first place. I also suspect that the hitch rating as bolted exceeds the tow rating. The extra bolt holes on the platform may be there to fit both the shorty and EXT's. If you need greater confidence, next time you rent a U-haul trailer, compare their platform with yours.

If I get a moment, I'll check our OEM manual for specifics.