The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 1965 Step-side Spare Tire Conversion

My truck is being restored and I am thinking about moving the spare from under the bed to the side. Other than installing a fender with the cut-out and the correct hanger, what other modifications are necessary? How does the hanger mount? Thanks.

Short bed or long bed truck? Restoration or custom?

The spare tire fender is different based on the truck wheelbase.

On a short bed the cutout is up higher and back farther. The end result is the spare tire up in the air higher.

Here are some photos:

Stock Short Bed Spare Tire Fender

Long Bed Fender I Installed On My Short Bed Truck

The spare tire bracket on the truck looks like this

The spare tire bracket off the truck looks like this

And there are also some factory reinforcement pieces factory reinforcement pieces that attach the bed upper rails to the bed sides.

If you are building a custom truck you might be interested in a custom hidden mount for the spare tire. See post #11 here

Hope that helps

John

Thanks so much John. My truck is a long bed restoration. In the photo of the installed hanger I don't see the angle iron brackets. Am I correct to assume that one mounts on the outside of the bed and the other on the inside? Thanks again. Rob

Rob,
The angle iron brackets attach to the outside of the bed.

John

Thanks for the photos John.
Rob

On my 64 the spare is down low in front of the right fender, in that space I think it looks nice tucked away. It sits on the step and on top the tire is about an inch above the bed rail.

I have a 63 1/2 ton 4x4 stepside with the factory spare on the left fender. I decided it would look interesting to have one on the right also. Just copied dimentions from one side to the other, cut it out with a 1 in lip to bend at 90 deg. and filled with fiberglass. Fabricated supports, angles and tire mount. Turned out pretty good. I'd send pictures if I could figure out how to attach pictures. Be happy to send them directly to you.

Jim, is your spare a stock or custom installation?
Rob

Is there a difference between the short-bed and the long-bed spare tire brackets? Is it the same bracket, just mounted differently?

First week of April I can take the spare off and take a couple of pics. to figure it out if you want. Here's an over view
https://www.flickr.com/photos/77478750@N05/16099351693/in/set-72157651179443285
I think Hotrodjohn had some pics. of how the scooped out section in the fender were at a different height for 6' and 8' beds. It's not so much where the bracket is mounted the fenders are different.

I think I have figured it out now and I have found the right fender and bracket. Thanks anyway Jim.

Cape65

I wouldn't make that conversion. IMO and all due respect too all side mount owners but I think the under mount leaves a truck with a cleaner look.

I'd follow through with the side mount conversion. While admittedly they do not have a cleaner look as mentioned by jb66ss396, they sure do add character.

Bob

I do agree that the under bed mount is cleaner but I want the character look as Bob mentioned. Besides, I wasn't able to find a good OEM DS fender without the spare tire cut-out. Go figure!

It's all a personal preference thing... there are features to these trucks that are unique and the side mount spare certainly qualifies. It's my favorite feature of a step side, a feature from days gone by.

Not to mention it is very handy, for changing out a flat and for making sure the spare tire is inflated.

It will be alot more handy in case of a flat. It is like bench pressing to get the spare in or out from under the bed. I'm not as young as I once was!