The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Side-mount spare bracket

Considering moving the spare on a '50 3100 from beneath the bed to the side. (would like to eventually add a hitch, and I think the addition would make accessing the spare too challenging in the event I'd actually have to use it.)

Does it matter what side of the bed the spare would be mounted? Would like to keep as much of the truck 'proper' as possible, but wondered if there was a correct side, and why. Leaning towards the pass side, unless there's a reason it *must* be on the driver's side.

Will probably end up having a bracket made locally, as these seem to be pretty scarce. Mabel isn't a show truck, so it doesn't really matter that much.

Any opinions/advice will be appreciated... still a novice at this, and you all are very kind to tolerate my ignorance. ~ michelle

Side mount spares weren't offered until 1953 and they were on the left. Many earlier trucks were modified for side mounts and I've seen them on either side and both sides.

I've read of people cutting a piece out of the fender and inverting it and welding it back in.

The side-mount spare became available in 1953 on Chevrolet trucks. The mounting bracket is different that year, due to the different slope in the top edge of the bedsides.

The Blue Funk has a carrier mounted on the right side. Of course, it was an add-on. I've not seen another like it. It rides rather high compared to the others I've seen. I added a bed rail and it caused me to have some more aesthetic pleasure.

Olblu49 made an interesting point: He thought the spare on the passenger side might equal out the weight distribution. I don't know, but it looks cool. And it's as the old saying goes: It doesn't matter if we win or loose. It's how we look playing the game.

Good luck in your endeavors, AbleMabel.

My '56 3100 has the spare tire on the left fender/bracket, and I get quite a few comments on how cool the tire looks mounted there. I don't think it would make any difference where you mount it, it would look nice. ONE note to consider, and I notice this on my truck, it is harder to get a clear field of vision in your left hand mirror with the tire mounted (probably be the same with the right side mount). I kind of wish they had originally put the tire on the right.

Pictures when completed please. (In fact, you might want to take pictures as you go thru this addition, in case others would like to see what you did.)

I don't remember where you side mirror is but putting your spare on the side will impede your vision to the rear. If you make this change you may want to change to the peep mirror that attaches to the top of the door.

I found this out with my 55 2nd.

Best of luck

I do not recall my rear-view vision being impeded on a 1954 Chevrolet truck? They are all step-side and the spare only comes out a little further than the rear fender. Is my memory poor (OK, I know that answer)?

My '39 3/4 ton has a mount on the left between the door and the rear fender. It's a simple affair, and probably was built by the local county shop that took delivery on the truck. I have owned the truck since about '61, and have driven it coast to coast and into Canada and Mexico, and have never noticed a vision problem with the mirror.

The mount is simply two flats of steel about 8"x8" with a spreader long enough to clear the bed with the tire. One flat is bolted to the side of the box, and the other has three bolts that fit the wheel pattern. It works well. This truck was, and will be, a daily driver, so practical rules.

Also, I seem to remember people wanting to load the left a bit heavier because the right side is more prone to running in the gravel, or off the edge of the pavement, and they tried to even wear on the tires. I doubt that is any longer an issue, though, so...whatever floats your boat.

Since the left (drivers') side was where the factory placed it, the left fender had the factory cut out, and originals are very difficult to find. As mentioned there are dimensions available if you want to make your own fender 'indent' from a standard one. I have tire rack dimensions and photos if you need them, I can post them later.

Ol Blue had a driver's side spare tire mount sometime in the past, but the previous owner eliminated it. The reason: only a skinny person would typically maneuver past the tire without catching their butt cheek on the tire, especially getting out. Without the fender indentation the tire was very close to the door opening, that is why, when this option was introduced, the fender indentation was made, to move the tire away from the door.

My truck still shows traces of the homemade mount with welds on both the bed rail and running board.