Tire Holder - Modified and should I replace

strathdaigeil · Post by **strathdaigeil** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:50 am

On my M38, I have this tire holder. As you can see, there was an additional support bar added to give three bolt locations per side instead of the shorter two bolt config on the originals. The three per side/longer support seems more sturdy but I'm curious if this was a military mod or a civvy after it was decommissioned.
Images:

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 10:07 am

I would guess civilian mod to carry a much larger wheel & tire for serious off roading. I would return to the short stock version unless I was going to run 10" to 12" width wheels and tires.

strathdaigeil · Post by **strathdaigeil** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 10:17 am

Thank you. Found one on ebay for $100 so not too awful.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:00 am

For the money I think I would employ my cut-off grinder and welder and re-work it back to spec. It's basically a hidden part when the spare is mounted. (.02)

strathdaigeil · Post by **strathdaigeil** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 2:30 pm

I have no cut off grinder or welder. The bolt holes on the original piece ( without the two angle irons welded on) has one that is fully ripped out.

For me, the $120 is a much easier expenditure than the grinding and welding.

I will, however, have to figure out of the military ever welded supports onto the tailgate to keep them from bending. If so, then I have a few pieces to either have removed or have smoothed out a bit.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:01 pm

YES!! The M38 tailgate is well reinforced. Go to Wes' foto album, find M38 body, 1st pg shows tailgate.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:17 pm

If you haven't noticed by now the mod on your carrier actually raised the tire mounting higher above the tailgate.

strathdaigeil · Post by **strathdaigeil** » Wed Dec 14, 2016 5:25 pm

Looks like someone went weld happy on the tailgate. Notice the several extraneous supports.

I'm guessing there is no harm in leaving these in place and still having it relatively original? I say that because it will be hidden by the tire when mounted.

and from the inside:

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 6:18 am

Looks like a repop tailgate without the spare bracket supports.

I'd cut off the junk and put the correct brackets on the inside.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:59 am

Good news is the hinge channel is not rusted out. There's a lot of good tailgate there to work with.

strathdaigeil · Post by **strathdaigeil** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:03 pm

RICKG wrote:Good news is the hinge channel is not rusted out. There's a lot of good tailgate there to work with.

So far that has been the good part of this M38. Looks like every time there was a scratch - even post decommission - someone would throw on another coat of paint. Took over an hour just to knock the paint off the blackout light mount.

Thanks again for the info. I will post pics as the project continues.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 5:26 am

Word to the wise, don't toss anything away, you'll regret it. Save stuff for reference, re-use, for sale, rebuild.......

G740 · Post by **G740** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 5:54 am

Midwest Military has brand new ones for $115, made in the USA.
John

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Dec 17, 2016 8:56 am

Bretto is right. Also. Go look at his photo pages or search tailgate.
He took one completely apart and repaired it.

strathdaigeil · Post by **strathdaigeil** » Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:24 am

Cheers. Will do. I have heard that the original body parts were more heavy duty than most of the remakes. Is this true?

Perhaps i will invest in some grinding/cutting tools. I have a pal who is a professional underwater welder who can do the further repair stuff.

Tire Holder - Modified and should I replace

Tire Holder - Modified and should I replace

Spare carrier