Thread: Yes, another spare wheel carrier question

I'm not familiar with the chassis layout under the rear plastic bumper on a P38, but it might be possible to make a wheel carrier that fits up similar to a D3/4 where a steel bracket fits around and bolts to the chassis. This is the main support for the stub axle which pokes through the plastic bumper. It obviously depends on how strong the chassis is. It's a good idea to share the weight of the carrier, wheel etc between the stub axle and a load baring locator at the latch end.
Here are some pictures of a D3/4 wheel carrier which might give you some ideas.
If the P38 chassis doesn't extend to the end of the bumper, it might just be a case of making a more robust bracket.
If someone can take pics of the rear chassis with the bumper removed I would be interested to see it.

Cheers, Murray

Originally Posted by DT-P38

I have one (a through bumper stub axle type swing arm) that I am pretty sure was made by Hardy Neale (original HardRange owner). It came to me a few years ago via Willem (a fellow AULRO member) down near Geelong.

I even saw photos of it fitted up on a P38 (perhaps Paul's hardrangie, pre HardRange sill stickers?) on RR.net too from memory...

Anyway, I am pretty certain the setup is still somewhere under my house, will dig it all out and post photos tomorrow.

That kit has done the rounds... First with Hardy, then to me, then to Willem and now with Dave

yes it was originally fitted to my P38 and Hardy removed it before selling the car to me but gave me the bits. As I recall, he didn't like or trust it much but it did prove that it could be done, and with better bracing across the chassis rails could be a winner.
I should have a couple of photos in Hard Range archive if/when I can find them.

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

That kit has done the rounds... First with Hardy, then to me, then to Willem and now with Dave

yes it was originally fitted to my P38 and Hardy removed it before selling the car to me but gave me the bits. As I recall, he didn't like or trust it much but it did prove that it could be done, and with better bracing across the chassis rails could be a winner.
I should have a couple of photos in Hard Range archive if/when I can find them.

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

That kit has done the rounds... First with Hardy, then to me, then to Willem and now with Dave

yes it was originally fitted to my P38 and Hardy removed it before selling the car to me but gave me the bits. As I recall, he didn't like or trust it much but it did prove that it could be done, and with better bracing across the chassis rails could be a winner.
I should have a couple of photos in Hard Range archive if/when I can find them.

Right on the money Paul! A properly designed layout needs to include both chassis rails...
The installation in the photo of the D3 is really neat

The metal form of the rear bumper under the plastic shell on the P38 attaches to the chassis rails with just two bolts (one into each rail) from underneath.. needs further bracing to accept additional weight.

wondering if the bracing might fit inside the bumper ...or as Keithy suggests cutting metal part of the bumper but retaining the outer plastic cover so that it hides the upper surface of a brace which attaches to both chassis rails

Or build a new structure to acommodate the wheel carrier and fit the plastic skin of the existing bumper around it so it becomes a "faux" 'original' bumper....

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

That kit has done the rounds... First with Hardy, then to me, then to Willem and now with Dave

yes it was originally fitted to my P38 and Hardy removed it before selling the car to me but gave me the bits. As I recall, he didn't like or trust it much but it did prove that it could be done, and with better bracing across the chassis rails could be a winner.
I should have a couple of photos in Hard Range archive if/when I can find them.

I checked and what I have is incomplete. I only have the swing arm and none of the "interesting" behind the bumper bits. Sorry.

Bugger

I emailed my mate at Toyota. He says that Outback 4wd Accessories make one for the 100 series that they use. He couldn't get me a part number and from what I see their website is incomplete...

Originally Posted by DT-P38

I checked and what I have is incomplete. I only have the swing arm and none of the "interesting" behind the bumper bits. Sorry.

hmm, there was a complete one and a partial one that I gave Willem a few years ago. I guess he must have the complete one and you have the other bits.

Here's the Expo RR: