Hood Mounted Tire

[Greg French]

What size wheel do the hood mounts hold? I am thinking about mounting my spare on the hood of my classic. The only problems I have come up with are visibility and weight. The visibility isn't really cut down that much (I strapped one on and drove around the neighborhood) and the weight will only be a factor when opening the hood (Which seems to be all the time)
Do they make them to fit these wheels?

 

[Blueboy]

my spare on the hood of my classic.

classic what??

the deluxe hoods for Series trucks have a dish in them plus some other bits to hold and support the tire on it.

main reason I did not mount mine there is it would be a total pain in the ass to get it off when I needed it. that plus it would make the hood really heavy to open.

kept mine on the rear door.


Jaime

 

[Ian95rrc]

I think he is refering to his range rover classic.....

 

[john]

I say go for it, Greg.

 

[kellymoe]

Greg,

I say go for it also. You get used to the visibility issue real quick, it is no big deal. The weight is kind of a hassle but also no big deal. I have considered getting a piston type lift for my hood just to help. You can find all kinds of stuff for lifting hoods in hot rod magazines. Good luck.

 

[Iron Boots]

On a series rig you do get used to it, but with modern tires and sizes it's hard to find one that works ok...the SIIa I drive daily has a 33x9.5 on the hood and visibility is restricted because of it.

On a rangie it would be compromised more...a while back someone did it here and said it blocked a lot of their view. One a series or D90 your windshield is raised a bit over the plane that the tire mounts on so you're looking out over the tire in a sense...on an RRC you'd be looking at the back of it.

Functionality drawbacks aside, the RRC hoods are pretty flimsy to begin with and often the bows rust out from the shell and barely support themselves.

Honestly between the visibility sucking and the hoods being flimsy from the get go, I say don't bother.

Tom Fields also ran one on his '72 RR Camper out of necessity (no where else to put it) and didn't like it on the hood.

When I see him next I can ask about some pics with the tire on it and maybe drive it with a tire there.

RJ

 

[Iron Boots]

I just ran out and snapped this...

That is a 33x9.5...I think a 235/85/16 would be a tick better but still a little invasive...a rear door mount is in my future....as far as my Rangie? Just going to use my rack.

 

[dmcfarlane]

What about a side mount? A lot of the UK hardtop Wolfs now use one or even two side mounts, and they look like a pretty decent option unless you're going through tight terrain a lot. I guess it really depends on where you are going... personally, I'm sticking with one rear mount plus another two spares on either end of my trailer's axle.

 

[Greg French]

Right now I have it on the rack. It is a PITA to get down, and takes up all of my room if I want to carry my kayaks & surfboards, or make a quick run to Lowe's to pick up some plywood. I would LOVE to be able to put it on the rear like my Disco, but that doesn't seem to be an option. The cargo spare area has been converted to tool storage, so that is out, too.
I have always liked the look of the series models with the tires on the hoods. The classic's hood is recessed in the middle unlike the series in the picture above. The visibility wasn't really that bad. I am getting bigger tires (245/75) for Christmas (Santa Please!) and want to see if anyone knows if they will fit on the carriers from a series, or will I have to fabricate something.
Also, does anyone know where I could get a series tire carrier? I imagine Rovers North, but didn't see any there. I would like a used one.
dmcfarlane: What is a side mount?

Thanks

 

[p m]

I say go for it, Greg.

you're mean, John!

 

[Trey & Melissa Burns]

I have mine on my roof rack for now as well and you're right it's a major pain.
I agree with all RJ's reasonings for not going with it on your hood.
Do you have means to build a rear carrier?

Trey

 

[nosivad_bor]

If you want to get hard core about it. You could reinforce the hood as needed and then get an ATV winch and mount it to the back of your rack and jerryrig the two cables thru the rack, one on the left and one on the right. have the cables come down and attatch to the sides of the hood so as to appear like limb risers. when you need to open the hood just winch that biatch open. BAM

or you might want to consider putting that tire back in the rear of the car and finding a better place for those tools like in a pelican case strapped to the floor.

rd

 

[Ian95rrc]

Maybe you should just go all the way and mount it on the front bumper.

 

[DiscoveryXD]

Probably overheat if he did that...

 

[p m]

Not quite - there is a stagnation point in the airflow near the front of the vehicle; if you put a spare tire near it, it may not change anything. As long as there is a lower-pressure zone inside the engine compartment, there will be airflow for cooling.

 

[Iron Boots]

Not quite - there is a stagnation point in the airflow near the front of the vehicle; if you put a spare tire near it, it may not change anything. As long as there is a lower-pressure zone inside the engine compartment, there will be airflow for cooling.

It's funny how we normally perceive air flow on a rig isn't it? I had a twig fall onto my hood overnight a few weeks ago...drove a few back roads and then on the highway for 10 minutes to work and back two days straight and I finally removed the stick. One would think that thing would have blown right off. Also on my RRC the washer fluid that flows down the windscreen just pools on the hood and even runs towrds the front of th ecar at 75mph because of the low pressure spot at the base of the hood. Neat.

 

[rmuller]

It's funny how we normally perceive air flow on a rig isn't it? I had a twig fall onto my hood overnight a few weeks ago...drove a few back roads and then on the highway for 10 minutes to work and back two days straight and I finally removed the stick. One would think that thing would have blown right off.

It's funny that you say that.. because right after I read your post, my sister calls me to tell me that she thought she lost her cellphone, but upon careful inspection, it was sitting on the hood of her wrangler while she was going 50 down the highway

 

[p m]

It's funny how we normally perceive air flow on a rig isn't it?

yes, I always have to talk myself into thinking "properly"

 

[FIVESPDDISCO]

hey french i am doing this on my D1. i just bought the hood so ill let you know how it work out. I want 2 spares, and dont want to put it on the roof.

 

[Iron Boots]

. The classic's hood is recessed in the middle unlike the series in the picture above.

Yes but the series windscreen is begins a bit above the hood...same effect as the RRC hood might have being recessed.

Grab a spare tire and toss it up there. Have a seat and tell me what you think. I could be wrong.