The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop dual spare side mounts

Our '55.1 GMC has a side mount spare. We'd like to put one on the right also. Finding an original right side fender looks to be impossible so we've looked at the left side mount and think we have a plan. The indentation on the left side appears to be vertically symetrical. So, it looks like we could cut one out of an old rusted left fender, rotate it 180 degrees, and weld it into our right side fender. Has anybody done this? Is there another way? Better way? Any thoughts? Looking for ideas. jerry

When it comes to sidemount spares, the Metal Man is the expert. He has written a tech article that will help you. Click here.

don't you also need to put a "dip" in the running board?

Here's a picture of the right side only spare on our 51 1/2 ton.Its hand hammered by someone in the past,apparently no welding was done..When I refinished the truck, I left the fender cutout as is, I like the hand done look.The original tire carrier was home made.I cut it off and used regular GM tire carrier, but had to modify it so the tire fit into the fender well. On AD trucks, the tire is some distance from the running board.
Farmer fender well

Tony, do you find having the tire on the right side to be a driving hazard? View blocker?

Bill, I like it! ! ! One question: do you suppose it ends up looking the same as the original indentation on the stock fender? I guess I need to converse with Metal Man.

jerry

I have seen the fender well in Metal Man's fender. It looks like it came stock from the factory..

Hardwareguy, no the right side tire isn't a problem with the rear view , I never look anyway lol.My fender well may not be for everyones taste.

Some 3/4 and 1-ton trucks had to have the dip in the running-board as the tires were bigger and mounted differently.
I have a friend who has a 49 chevy with the dual spare mounts.The passenger side was a hammer job but was done extremely well and the outside surface was filled and smoothed.Looks really good.

The factory assembly manual shows the proper procedure for half, three-quarter, and one-ton side-mount tire carriers.

To me, placing the spare tire on the driver's side never made any sense. When you have a flat, you have stand in the traffic lane and remove a spare, further endangering your life! The "curb side" mount makes a lot more sense for sure.

I think that the Metalman uses the stock fender and then with the aid of a template, he cuts the fender oval out, flips the metal over, welds it back in place and viola!, you have a side mount spare fender. You can always send your fender to him and have him do the conversion for you. That's what he does!

Here's his webpage:
Wheelwright Restorations Home Page

The passenger side mounted spare is only on the wrong side 50% of the time.

What is funny is that you can't lock the truck from the driver's side but that is where the tire is. It sure looks cool though and since none of us have original jacks we just call AAA anyway.

Hello, The side mount was used in 53,54 and 55 1st. It is correct only on those years but can be use on any post war GM truck to 55. The 54 carrier is differant from the 53 the 2 vertical supports are changed to fit the new bed design and a tie in bracket is added to the top left of the front bed panel.The most common carrier was for a 6.00 x 16 tire,next is the 6.50x16 carrier then the 8 lug for the larger trucks. The 1/2 tons need the rear fender with the indent. 3/4 and up did not.A 6.50 tire on a 6.00 carrier will rub on the fender. I have never seen a original mount on the right side. Runningboards do not need any modifications.
When buying a used kit besure to get the under bed support (the bottom holes in the vertical attach to it and it is also mounted to the bottom of the bed.) This part is often missing. If you are buying a kit for a 54 besure the front bed panel tie in bracket is not missing. It only can with the side mount spare option.
When I add the indent in a fender I flip the cut out 180 and weld it back in.
If have any questions on any thing I might have missed please email me at my new email address [email protected] Thanks Ray