My 48 burb came with dual exhausts and a trailer hitch that completely occupied the space of the original spare tire carrier. The hitch was welded to the frame. I cut and ground off the trailer hitch and removed the exhaust pipes. Starting from the same point that you are at, Christopher, I added the original spare tire carrier from my pickup (with spare tire) as a reference to use when running a replacement single exhaust pipe. You are correct to be concerned about a trailer hitch crowding out your spare. The mystery hole is to accomodate the top nut of a threaded rod that holds up the tongue of the spare tire holder. It serves the same function as the spare tire hook that fits into a hole in the rear bed sill of a pickup. You could easily fabricate one by grinding the rounded contour of the inside of the mystery hole onto the bottom of a large nut threaded the same as a 5-6" stud. 1/2-13 I think. Add a washer and another nut to the bottom of the stud and there's your mystery hole to spare tire holder connection. Unfortunately I don't have a digital camera so I can't snap a photo. I valued the stock spare tire carrier over the trailer hitch but I think that you are correct that it's one or the other. Good luck! Dave
1946 Chevy pickup, 1948 Chevy suburban, 1950 Chevy pickup, 1952 GMC pickup, 1957 Chevy pickup, 1939 Chevy pickup
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