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I'm trying to figure out what all is missing for my spare tire carrier on my '78 Bronco. The carrier itself is there along with the bracket that's attached to the tailgate. It had no spare on it when I got it, so the hardware isn't there to attach a tire to it. Does anyone have a picture of a factory setup, so I can see what I'm missing and start sourcing those parts? All the pictures I've found via google are for later swing out carriers and they simply have three lugs on the carrier that your rim bolts to. I'm thinking this setup must have some type of plate/bolt setup.
Here's the only picture of mine that I have at the moment.
Excellent, thank you! You wouldn't know a good source for those would you? Every place I've looked at online so far has the bolt and plate for the spare mounted inside the Bronco only. The biggest difference I noticed between the two is the cutout for that piece the spare slides onto. I'll keep looking.
Junk yard is most likely the only place you will likely find those pieces.
I found one of these pre 1987 style retaining assembly for a buddy of mine a few months ago in a yard.
Good luck.
Junk yard is most likely the only place you will likely find those pieces.
I found one of these pre 1987 style retaining assembly for a buddy of mine a few months ago in a yard.
Good luck.
That's what I'll be doing. I haven't had luck finding anything intact or old enough when it comes to parts in general for this Bronco at the local yards. I have some parts from my 73-79 F-Series trucks that I'll be using when I can, but it obviously isn't an option when it comes to this spare tire situation.
If you find the Ford issue pad lock you have a rare specimen. I would try to save it if I found one.
I am pretty sure (but not 100% certain) that the 78-86 are the same except for the hinges at the body corner due to different body profiles of the 78/79 -vs- 80-86.
Slight changes were made in 87-91 (tire mounted to a pad instead of being retained by a threaded rod)
1992-96 had a different release handle to swing away from tailgate.
There may have been other differences between them too.
Here is an exploded diagram of the early tire carrier and the related part numbers:
Thanks for the diagram! That really gives a good view of everything. I'll have to bundle this search into the one I'm making to find all the innards for the tailgate. Mine is missing a lot of the parts to make the rear glass functional in the way Ford intended.
Schwim - did you buy this new or refurbed somewhere?
It looks fresh.
My carrier and hardware came with my truck. I sandblasted then painted the hardware. It looked really clapped out prior to that. The metal is pretty heavy and cleans up well.
Well, sirs, I appreciate the pics and info. I not only was able to finally find a set for my Bronco, but I found 3 at an unfrequented local yard and bought them all. lol
I found the "holy grail" of spare retainers by actually finding one with the factory Ford padlock on it. Unfortunately it's locked with a spare on the carrier and everything. I spoke with the guys who run the yard and they actually let me unbolt the carrier from the Bronco, spare and all, and let me take it to a locksmith to see if I could get it unlocked without paying for it with the intention of bring everything back once I got it off. The guy was like "I can cut it off for you no problem!". I said no! I want the lock! I think he was a bit surprised by my enthusiasm for wanting a 40 year old lock. Long story short(er), the locksmith wasn't able to make a key for it or able to pick the lock to get it off. He cleaned it out and soaked it with some penetrating oil and I took the carrier back to the yard and tucked it away. He said he'll try again later if I want to bring it back and see if the pins inside will free up for him. I'm gonna get that lock... lol
There she is, finally mounted, my 35" spare. I let it swing open to see how it handled the weight of it. I don't think I'd leave it there all day, but it seems to hold it fine. I was actually more nervous about it fitting on the carrier with the J hook. The threads barely went through the plate in order for me to thread on the nut. Once it started spinning on though it pulled enough thread to hold it nice and snug. I think anything wider than 12.50 wouldn't fit, but don't quote me on it.
Did you check throughout the vehicle that had the lock to see if the key was in it? Glove box or console or perhaps tied up underneath on the frame?
lol you have no idea how hard I looked. I was like ohhhh shiiii... where's the key! I looked in the glove box. Under the carpet. Behind the seats. Under the seats. Between the seats. Under the seat covers. In the ashtrays. Like anywhere that made sense and places that didn't. Ashtrays were full of butts, so they got proper use. I checked all around the rig outside of it as well. I was bummed. I may go back and try looking again, but my setup is working and the lock is just a bonus item.
AbandonedBronco, you must have gotten that from Rich huh? The lock I found looks just like that, with the little spacer thing on the shackle and the little keyhole cover that swivels back and forth to expose the keyhole when its not protecting it from dirt. The locksmith said he didn't have any Ford keys that were one sided like that. I thought that was kind of odd that he wouldn't have a key that would fit a padlock. I mean, did Ford do something special when making these padlocks that would make them different than any other as far as function?
Oh and if you guys know anyone who needs a set of this retaining hardware, let me know. I didn't grab extra sets for myself, but for others who might need them.
03-30-2018, 03:47 AM
