Suburban equipment rack

[Dieselboy]

Looking for a semi-permanent solution to storing a full size 35" spare and a full complement of trail tools, I used the base of a subrban 3rd row seat and built a carrier of sorts. About two years have gone by, and the rack has proved that, in fact, it was designed to haul people; not tires and tools. It's in sad shape. So began the redesign process.

It is a "double-decker" design. Two 29"x11.25"x12" storage boxes will occupy the lower deck along with the 15 lb CO2 bottle stored at an angle. The upper deck will hold the spare tire, Hi-Lift, and the shovel/axe combo. The rack will also have a spot for storing a winch bag, pintle hook, 2" ball hitch, and some other small stuff. It will also have a lot more bracing than the first rack did. I have kept the clips than use the floor mounts, so the rack will remain removeable. I chose 1"x1/8" square tube.

I'm nearly done, but here's some of my progress so far:
http://www.oliverdiesel.com/images/RearSeatCarrier/day1.jpg

http://www.oliverdiesel.com/images/RearSeatCarrier/progress2.jpg

[john8662]

Sweet! I like the idea, I don't have the 3rd seat in my 86 4x4 burb, so that sounds like a great idea, as this rig will be a trail rig when its done (if I ever get time to work on it again).

[Dieselboy]

I wrapped it up today. It's a little tall, but I have enough material left for a redesign down the road. The tire will probably be lowered a great deal, but I this is a good place to start.

Total time invested: 20 hrs. Total material used: ~60 ft of square tube.

Done for now:
http://www.oliverdiesel.com/images/RearSeatCarrier/painted.jpg

http://www.oliverdiesel.com/images/RearSeatCarrier/paintedfull.jpg

http://www.oliverdiesel.com/images/RearSeatCarrier/installedfront.jpg

http://www.oliverdiesel.com/images/RearSeatCarrier/installedrear.jpg

[john8662]

I like the rack! whats the CO2 going to be for?

[Dieselboy]

Thanks. The CO2 is for airing up tires. This 15 lb bottle can air up my 35" BFG from 10-40 psi about 30 times. And at $9 to refill, it sure beats the heck out of an onboard air compressor.

[cschneider]

YOU STOLE MY IDEA! That's really a cool setup you've got going there. I have been considering doing the same thing but have been so bogged down with other projects that I haven't had time (the instrument replacement has been a lot more work than I ever imagined). I may have to consult you when I start mine.

[dieselcrawler]

Like the rack, man... The mounting points look about the same as my K-5... I may also steal your idea for a removable cargo rack.
How bad does the spare time hurt your rear view, both while on the highway, and 'wheelin'? Aside from that, it seems perfect.

Greg

[Dieselboy]

Uh....what rear view? :(

Thanks for the compliments. The second phase will have a provision where the tire mounting will reside on sliders, so it doesn't have to sit that high all the time.

I was trying to make more cargo room behind the rack, and I had to use more vertical space to do so. It is going to take some getting used to.

[MJEasly]

Nice work!

I've been looking for a way to mount a spare tire in the rear similar to the Nissan Pathfinder's design from the late 80s. Add a jerry can and it would do the trick.