Need Stock Spare Tire Carrier

fortop · September 30, 2003

I need a spare tire carrier assembly for my 1983 Chevrolet longbed C20 fleetside longbed pickup. Looks like any carrier from 1973-1987 will work. I just need the standard one. Does anyone know where I can get one? GM Parts Direct (Flow Chevrolet) responded that the part numbers were obselete and I would have to try aftermarket.

I am planning on converting my bed to a dump hoist and need to get the spare out of the inside of the box where I have it now.

Thanks

mjsmith1223 · September 30, 2003

You could try your local boneyard to see if there's one available that's not rust-welded to the frame. LMC or Chevy Duty have reproduction spare tire carriers. One of them might even have NOS, but it'll be more expensive.

www.chevyduty.com

www.lcmtruck.com

You could also check the 73-87 parts board at 67-72chevytrucks.com If you post a "wanted to buy" there might be someone able to come up with what you need.

Mike

Grand Haven, MI

tgdiver · September 30, 2003

Are you looking for one under the bed, or in the bed?

I need to get one as well.

My spare is just in the back end, not attached to anything.

I am not sure if I can get one under the bed, with the aftermarket bumper and hitch, probably just mount it to the inside of the bed.

fortop · October 1, 2003

tgdiver - Under the bed. I currently have mine on a cheap threaded rod mount attached to the inside lip of the bedrail behind the right wheel well. I plan to use the bed as a dump, so I neet to get that tire out of there. Plus, the tire blocks visibility.

I ordered a set of parts for the "standard" underbody spare tire carrier from LMC today, after hearing from one to many GM dealers that the parts have been "discontinued". The price was $108.95 with S&H - (I had the upper cross bar, you probably do to) so I just ordered everything else.- The junk yards don't have a complete set of parts, and what they do have they want about $50 for.

BTW, your truck is beautiful.

fortop · October 1, 2003

I forgot, you mentioned an aftermarket hitch and bumper. I hoisted my spare up into the cavity between the frame rails and it looks like it will fit, even with my aftermarket hitch. I think I may have to turn the mounting bolts on the hitch facing outward on the frame rails to gain some space. I might have to modify/replace the rear dual exhaust hangers to get those bolt ends out of the way. I will let you know how it goes - should have parts in 3 days - install this weekend with luck. Stay tuned.

I don't think the bumper will matter, since they tend to mount to the outside of the frame rails and the spare is inside the frame rails. I did take my bumper off in preparation for the dump conversion. I will have to get another narrower bumper or have the installer seriously modify my monster step bumper in order to have a space for the bed to tip back. Stay tuned on this one also, although I'm sure you wouldn't hack your rig up like I will with my 83 beater.

fortop · October 11, 2003

I installed the LMC Taiwan aftermarket spare tire carrier today. I ordered everything on the catalog page (except the upper bracket) and ended up with 3 extra sets of bolts, washers, nuts. I could not remember exactly where the rear long swing out bolt goes (had two previously but don't remember - maybe somebody can tell me.) I put that bolt in the last hole (oblong hole) on the right rear frame rail. Seems to look OK. I could not find an appropriate lock for the big looped turn nut - so I used an old small long shackle master padlock - the shackle was just narrow enough to go through the top of the bracket hole and loop through the eye of the turn nut and still secure with the key end of the lock pointing up toward the bed. The body of the padlock was just a little too big to drop back down through the bracket slot - so the looped nut should not move much.

BTW - I highly recommend installing a lock. I had a 76 Chevy 3/4 ton and someone apparently tried to remove the spare but didn't quite get the job done. I made a turn at a busy intersection at rush hour and the spare broke loose and went on it's way - narrowly missing a plate glass store front window.

Once I get the bumper and hitch back on I will have to "feel" for the padlock key slot by reaching under the bumper if I ever need to change the spare. I did mount the spare "face down" with the air valve at the rear so I can check the air periodically. I took the hitch off since I think I will have to have it relocated once the dump bed conversion is done. Looks like if I have the hitch modified to mount entirely on the undersurface of the frame rail C channel, or buy the kind that hooks over the top of the frame rail, then it should clear the tire.