The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1946 Chevy 1/2Ton - Spare Tire Mounting

I'm getting ready to install my spare tire carrier. What is the proper way to have the spare sitting on the carrier? Looks like tire/wheel faces up, but how are the two wheel studs located? If I use two holes on the wheel, the tire sits off center. If I put the wheel centered on the carrier, am I missing a part to hold down the wheel to the carrier?

John - It turns out I've been neglectful in my research on the spare tire carriers for 1950 and before. Sorry

Below is a screenshot snagged from fellow Bolter Harold46's reply in another on-topic thread that shows all the parts/pieces for the 1941-46 1/2 ton spare tire carrier.

Looks like you are missing #3 in his picture which sandwiches the spare between the lower strap and it, studs through the center of spare tire wheel opening and secured with the lug nuts.

It's been bugging me for a while that I was missing something. Finally dawned on me when I did a new Stovebolt search and that thread popped up. Hope I've fixed my oops.

PS - I moved your thread to the GTT as that's the better place for the topic.

John

I’ve spent about 45 minutes trying to get these pictures up. Not sure if it was me, internet, or my phone.

I’m going to leave them as is and see if you can figure them out

1 bottom rail
2 then sliding piece with studs
3 tire
4 top bracket that is over tire and bolted up
5 slide tire bracket and all up in place( heavy!!)
6 then up to to j bolt

Sorry about messy reply but hope it helps

I am unable to actually get my tire bolted to j hook because previous owner welded muffler hanger in the way

I can take other pictures which might be better than my library if needed

Glen

Looks like I have piece #3 and it is bolted to the frame. So I'm guessing this piece is used to secure the spare tire to the carrier and when you lift the carrier, you just line up piece #3 with the frame? Are you then supposed to crawl under and add the lug nuts? Or, leave piece #3 bolted to the frame and just lift the tire up and align the bolt holes? With bolts through the holes, I don't think the tire is going anywhere. I'm going to test fit it today. Thanks guys!

Glen, Your pictures where slow to come through, but I can see them now. Thanks!

Where in the world did this lucky person find that spare tire carrier?

Thanks Dan. I wasn't sure where it would fit.

Guess I was lucky. All the parts came with the truck 20+ years ago. I did have them sandblasted and powder coated though. I only needed to find a nut for the J-bolt.

John.

I’m not sure if the piece should be bolted to the frame as I got my parts from different places but that would secure the tire better. Glad you figured it out and also helped me. I’ll have to check if there are holes for that on my frame.

Glen

Frankly, I hated the original spare tire mounting - very clumsy arrangement to my way of thinking. All of it was missing on my '46, so I designed my own sidemount bracket and and had a welding fab shop make it for me. Got it powder coated black. Been on the truck for about 30 years now with no issues. Sure makes it simple if you need to use the spare. Not original, but I like the look.

I've always liked the way an old truck looks with the spare tire mounted on the side. Nice looking truck.

I do have holes in my frame for the top bracket. It will make it lighter to put up there plus the weight will be held from the frame instead of all the weight on the top sliding rail. And J bolt.

My truck came with the top sliding bracket. I do like tire on outside but since I have collected the parts I’m going under bed. I did buy a side mount bracket which it looks like there was one there also. Then I’m putting wooden rails on my box. Glad we have this figured out.

Nice looking truck David

Maybe these photos will help?

Perfect. Now a complete circle. Thanks

I believe the spare will be mounted with the valve stem down for easy access to check pressure? I'm still a little puzzled about the use of the two lug nuts. If the top bracket is already mounted to the frame (like mine), are the two bolts just used to line up in the holes or are you supposed to climb under the truck bed and add the nuts to secure it to the top bracket? Seems the J-bolt will hold things together and with the two bolts in the holes, it's not sliding anywhere.

Why the chain? Do you have a lock on the J-bolt?

The 1941-1946 under bed carrier is different from the 1947-1950 carrier....It consists of only the track, sling-strap , 2 rim support tabs mounted to the frame X member & J hook.....
I suppose you could adapt the 1947-1950 carrier assembly to fit an earlier truck though.

The j hook will probably hold but if the stud nuts are on everything is secured to the frame I believe and yes tire upside down to check pressure

I also have the lock. There is a special nut with a grove in that goes with lock. The other nut that came with my j hook is longer.

Spare tire carrier installed. I'll test fit the tire in the morning when the garage is a little cooler. Thanks for everyone's help!

The J bolt has a lock for the nut to not back off. I went out and took a picture of mine. It fits into the oval recess.

The chain is not on the original assemblies. It was added as a “belt and suspenders” precaution to avoid loosing the lock on the J-bolt. The chain was a copy cat application from a long ago contributor, I think here on the SB. Locks were an accessory available from the dealer. There are several different versions. They occasionally show up at the e auction site.

Edit: The chain attached to the lock keeps the lock from being lost in the grass/dirt during the frustration and hassle during a tire change process. I understand that a big reason parts of these spare tire carriers are so few now is because many of them were launched across the country side in frustration.

So, are there any thoughts as to the correct way to store the spare?

1. Place tire on carrier, bolt on piece #3 with two lug nuts and then raise spare into place with piece #3 aligning snuggly with frame. If this method, do you crawl under and add the two bolts to secure piece #3 to the frame? I guess one advantage is if the J-bolt nut comes loose, the carrier would not fall?

2. Have piece #3 bolted to the frame, place tire on piece #4 on carrier and raise spare aligning the two bolts on piece #4 with the holes in piece #3. If this method, do you still try to secure the two lug nuts onto piece #4? This looks to be difficult reach.

Just wondering how others handle their spare. I'd prefer not to crawl all way the under the truck on the side of the road if I don't have to.

I just tested the lock I have on the spare tire on my flat bed trailer and it fits! Not that anyone would take my spare, but maybe it would give me security in not thinking the J-bolt nut would back off.

The lock looks like it will be right at home!

If you go to Jim Carters page and click on tech articles, then click on the 46 truck catalogue and then comes articles on accessories and under that is the story about the lock. Fun read. I would post a link but that challenges me.

Here's the link to the Jim Carter Tech Blog on 1937-50 Chevy/GMC Spare Tire Locks that Ponchog! is referring to.

Getting back to the sequence.

I thought it maybe easier to have the bracket bolted to the frame. I have a muffler hanger in the way so if you say it would be easier to bolt everything together then bolt to the frame. I do know the whole thing is heavy for me too. I had put it together with bracket bolted to the studs and tried lifting it up. When I did this I didn’t see or realize the hanger was hindering me nor did I realize the top bracket gets bolted to frame either. Sooo. Maybe someone has the answer🤔. I have the correct rims but without tires on them. My spare has a 50 yr tire on it to test fit. But not quite ready for spare to be placed.

Gemini AI search

This may be helpful. Not sure if correct info but it all makes good sense putting up and not having to try bolting to crossmember. I did the search for 46 1/2 ton truck.

Upon another question to AI as to why the holes on top bracket are there and not used on our truck was in different applications that piece was used to hold spare to bed front wall or side wall if you didn’t have the sliding rail.

Glen

Update with factory picture this shows the bracket just bolted to lower bracket

Here is a photo showing the carrier assembled off the truck that should help explain how the pieces fit together. Note the end piece on the left is bolted or riveted to a flat steel strap that is attached to each frame rail. The center curved “V” shaped piece is bolted to the frame cross members.

Thanks for picture. I think the U shaped piece in your picture is the question and I believe your picture missing tire but when it’s all attached to the truck the proper method holding it to truck would be the roller pin and the J hook. Is that how you attach?

Thanks, Glen

Thanks Glen! That is great information. I'm going to re-bolt mine and re-install properly. I did notice in the last picture the bolts/nuts are going side-to-side and mine go front-to-back. Should be OK though.

Yes, that’s how the tire fits on the assembly. Here’s more pictures showing just the assembly and tire not attached to the truck.

John on mine they also are front and back of u scroll up u can see that. Same with Sparky. So for some reason John, yours was bolted to frame when not needed. I m not getting different tires tell next year but at least I know how to put it up. Thanks all