An important mod on the list for my 100 was getting the spare wheel out from underneath and onto a swing out carrier of some sort. I decided on an OEM style carrier with a little modification because it would be independent of me getting round to building a back bumper so I bought one (260350795368) off e bay. For a comercial product I wasn't overly impressed with the welds but in the end decided to carry on and redo anything I didn't think would survive.
My 100 is a UK model so it would need some plates making for inside the body panels where the carrier would mount to add some strength. I rummaged and found some suitable bits of 6mm thick plate and bent and cut them to match the curves of the carrier hinge castings:
Then I drilled the holes for the hinges in the bodywork and bolted the carrier on for a tyre test fit:
oops, as anticipated there's a bit of a problem with big tyres obscuring the lights! With a standard size tyre this wouldn't happen but the 36" Simex is too close to the light, too low and too wide (had to let air out to get it mounted).
Off came the carrier and out came the grinder and the welder I cut the wheel mounting off, welded a couple of 100mmx6mm straps along side of the origional mounting tubes, a bit of 50mm equal angle went onto that and then the origional mount welded to that. That moved the wheel mounting point about 100mm towards the centre, about 75mm up and about 20mm out
I also added a couple of strengthening plates and some small mounting tabs in case I want to bolt any extras to it at a later date. For mounting the number plate I put a bit of 50mm box into the middle of the wheel mount with a hole through the end a bit like a hitch receiver. The plan is to be able to insert an extra section between the carrier and number plate to serve as a cycle carrier for my daughters bike but I haven't got that far yet
You might be able to see a bolt hanging from the bottom of the carrier. That's my ever so fancy stop to hold the carrier open. I drilled a hole through the lower hinge casting, the bolt is pulled out of the wire noose holding it in the picture and dropped into the hinge hole to hold the carrier open
Now the lights are plenty visible even with a 36" Simex mounted. The number plate light I got second hand off e bay, I think it's supposed to live on a Prado but it works for me on a 100
The Simex sits at a much better height now as well. It could have gone a bit higher but then it would have more of an impact on the view out the back which at this height isn't a problem.
My 100 is a UK model so it would need some plates making for inside the body panels where the carrier would mount to add some strength. I rummaged and found some suitable bits of 6mm thick plate and bent and cut them to match the curves of the carrier hinge castings:
Then I drilled the holes for the hinges in the bodywork and bolted the carrier on for a tyre test fit:
oops, as anticipated there's a bit of a problem with big tyres obscuring the lights! With a standard size tyre this wouldn't happen but the 36" Simex is too close to the light, too low and too wide (had to let air out to get it mounted).
Off came the carrier and out came the grinder and the welder I cut the wheel mounting off, welded a couple of 100mmx6mm straps along side of the origional mounting tubes, a bit of 50mm equal angle went onto that and then the origional mount welded to that. That moved the wheel mounting point about 100mm towards the centre, about 75mm up and about 20mm out
I also added a couple of strengthening plates and some small mounting tabs in case I want to bolt any extras to it at a later date. For mounting the number plate I put a bit of 50mm box into the middle of the wheel mount with a hole through the end a bit like a hitch receiver. The plan is to be able to insert an extra section between the carrier and number plate to serve as a cycle carrier for my daughters bike but I haven't got that far yet
You might be able to see a bolt hanging from the bottom of the carrier. That's my ever so fancy stop to hold the carrier open. I drilled a hole through the lower hinge casting, the bolt is pulled out of the wire noose holding it in the picture and dropped into the hinge hole to hold the carrier open
Now the lights are plenty visible even with a 36" Simex mounted. The number plate light I got second hand off e bay, I think it's supposed to live on a Prado but it works for me on a 100
The Simex sits at a much better height now as well. It could have gone a bit higher but then it would have more of an impact on the view out the back which at this height isn't a problem.