Tire carrier "situation"

[FMExplorer]

Hey gang,
A few points regarding the Explorer Express tire carrier. I just bought mine (courtesy of RAZOR - thanks guy!) and discovered they are not designed to work with a class III receiver-hitch frame. At first I was bummed - no wait - I was pi$$ed because it took me almost an hour to realize you need to loosen the bumper nuts from the frame - not the bolts. The bolts are welded to some little frame to keep them stable and therefore can't be turned. My knuckled are getting better... Dead Link Removed

Anyhow - the solution - have the frame brackets for the tire carrier cut to fit - bolt them on and then weld them to the receiver-frame. Now you have a receiver/tire carrier combo - 1 piece. Works pretty slick. Pictures and procedures to be posted in a few days on my site...

Jon M

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Jon McLeod
'93 XLT
K&N Drop-In
Modified Airbox
Kenwood Audio w/ 6-disc changer
31x10.50 Dunlop Mud Rovers
Rancho RS5000's

Next project: visit http://www.jonmcleod.com for more info!

 

[mattadams]

I ran into that when trying to remove my rear bumper too before I put my custom one on there. I thought "geez, these CAN'T be torqued this much as I had out my breaker bar and just about stripping the bolt, LOL. Then I said "well let met ry the other side",t ook about 50-75 pounds of torque to get it loosened... and I was probably putting about 150-200 pounds into the other side... ahh well, live and learn.

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Matt Adams
94 Explorer 4-door nick-named "Tippy"
http://bart.is-s.com/~explorers/madams/

 

[FMExplorer]

Matt,
Thanks - I feel MUCH better now - was kinda feeling pretty stupid and weak after not being able to remove the bolts - then seeing them welded. Oh well - experience is the best teacher!

J

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Jon McLeod
'93 XLT
K&N Drop-In
Modified Airbox
Kenwood Audio w/ 6-disc changer
31x10.50 Dunlop Mud Rovers
Rancho RS5000's

Next project: visit http://www.jonmcleod.com for more info!

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey Jon,
It's priceless little information like that, that will help make someones day alot easier.
Thanks for the post. I'll know what to look for when it comes time to pull my bumper off. Dead Link Removed

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[FMExplorer]

Ray,
Glad to be able to help someone else avoid the blood loss! Dead Link Removed I'll post a picture of what the bolts look like on the bumper so you everyone can get an idea of what to look for.

Mud***** - gotta admit - you have one of the best handles I have seen! Dead Link Removed The tire rack is rated for stock tires, although I will be putting a 31x10.50 on it. I'll let you know how it holds up. Maybe I'll be able to get an idea if it will hold a 33". The company may say stock only for liability reasons - who knows!

Jon M

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Jon McLeod
'93 XLT
K&N Drop-In
Modified Airbox
Kenwood Audio w/ 6-disc changer
31x10.50 Dunlop Mud Rovers
Rancho RS5000's

Next project: visit http://www.jonmcleod.com for more info!

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

well come on Jon put some fire under your a$$ and lets see the pics posted on your site. Dead Link Removed Dead Link Removed
Jon im in north FL alot where are you at in FL. ?

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1991 Eddie Bauer 4x4
K&N drop in filter, Modified air box.
3" lift 31x10.50's
Dunlop R/V's.
Sway bar quick disconects disc.http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/91fordexplorer/index.html

 

[FMExplorer]

A91EBexplorer,
I am in Fort Myers - south of Sarasota and north of Naples - HOME OF THE BOSTON RED SOX SPRING TRAINING FACILITIES (no - I'm not a fan Dead Link Removed). I have family in Jacksonville and make it to FSU for a couple games a year, so I get up north too. I would also like to plan a trip to Ocala National Forest for a weekend of off-roading, but haven't had a lot of time to plan it yet. Hopefully that seasonal traffic is gone down a bit I can look into it further.

JonM

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Jon McLeod
'93 XLT
K&N Drop-In
Modified Airbox
Kenwood Audio w/ 6-disc changer
31x10.50 Dunlop Mud Rovers
Rancho RS5000's

Next project: visit http://www.jonmcleod.com for more info!

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

Jon ,
keep in touch ive never been to Ocala before and id like to go. keep the info posted.
later

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1991 Eddie Bauer 4x4
K&N drop in filter, Modified air box.
3" lift 31x10.50's
Dunlop R/V's.
Sway bar quick disconects disc.http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/91fordexplorer/index.html