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General Information => Upgrades (non engine related ) => Topic started by: ventureforth on July 19, 2010, 09:35:47 pm

Title: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: ventureforth on July 19, 2010, 09:35:47 pm
I'm wanting to add a 2nd fuel tank to my '82 Rabbit Diesel, and I want to put it in the spare tire well.  However, I also don't want to be without my spare as I seem to be a magnet for flat-tire causing debris, and I don't want to switch over to run-flats until my current tires wear out, which will be a while.  I've seen a rear tire carrier on the Golf Country, but I don't expect to have any luck finding one of those.

Are there any excellent fit options?  Anything that was actually designed for the MK1 that I am for some reason unable to locate?

Also, the other factor I'm curious about is how it might effect driving dynamics.  Any reason to think a 13" tire hanging off the  back will have any significant impact on driving characteristics?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: Baron VonZeppelin on July 19, 2010, 10:04:45 pm
Could go "Safari Style" and mount one on the hood - or roof.

How about in the storage area behind rear seat (above spare tire well) hidden under the canopy/valance ?
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: rabbitman on July 19, 2010, 10:22:55 pm
Yeah one of those tanks would be really nice....... 900-1000 mile range :o

It would look the best on the front bumper......but then it would mess up airflow to the radiator. In the rear it would cover the license plate, the roof would be very un-aerodynamic and the hood would mess up vision.

FIX A FLAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: mystery3 on July 19, 2010, 11:36:24 pm
How much clearance do you have out back? Perhaps you could use one from a caddy? I have no idea what the spare tire holder looks like on the country.
 
I pulled a tank out of a rabbit in the junkyard that was rectangular and fit just beneath the rear windscreen when the tailgate was closed, it's probably good for around 8 gallons or so. I might mount it behind the cab on the caddy down the road sometime.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: DCC on July 20, 2010, 01:15:39 am
I red somewhere that the Audi TT fuel tank is an interesting option. It mounts under the rear seats, and it isn't too bulky, perhaps with some adaptation it would turn out great.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: 745 turbogreasel on July 20, 2010, 03:10:06 am
http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=product/category&path=39&page=4 (http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=product/category&path=39&page=4)

Start here?
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on July 20, 2010, 09:07:16 am
build a spare tire holder that bolts or clamps to the bed rail..

like the older broncos, and blazers/jimmys... they had them inside the rig, mounted in the back, standing upright.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: tSoG-84bit on July 20, 2010, 04:00:01 pm
do you really think it'd be that detrimental to airflow over the radiator having one stick out from the front bumper?

I'll have to add one to the hood or front bumper. won't be anywhere else to put one in operation broken crayon.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: rabbitman on July 20, 2010, 09:19:07 pm
do you really think it'd be that detrimental to airflow over the radiator having one stick out from the front bumper?

I'll have to add one to the hood or front bumper. won't be anywhere else to put one in operation broken crayon.

These thing make some serious heat on long hills!!! Maybe the fan would just come on more often and make up for it.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: VWCaddy on July 21, 2010, 08:13:21 am
How about a hitch receiver mounted tire carrier?

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/home-made-cbi-spare-carrier-166066/ (http://www.yotatech.com/f116/home-made-cbi-spare-carrier-166066/)
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on July 21, 2010, 09:15:16 am
for some reason i thought you were working with a caddy..
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: theman53 on July 21, 2010, 09:15:41 am
I have an old bronco with the tire carrier on it...15.00 plus shipping if you want it.
It is the in cab style not the one that was on the back gate.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: ventureforth on July 21, 2010, 10:15:46 am
Sorry.  Should have been more clear.  My Rabbit is a 2-door.  I don't think the "in-bed" Jimmy style thing would work unless I always kept the back seat down (or took it out).  That might not be out of the question, though, as it really only becomes a 3-seater when I'm driving (I'm 6'4") and even then the back seat is only good for a tiny, tiny person and impossible to get in and out of.  Maybe I'll just remove the back seat and make it a flat cargo floor...put some metal plating or something back there a la those concept Baja New Beetles I saw years ago.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on July 21, 2010, 10:21:18 am
Sorry.  Should have been more clear.  My Rabbit is a 2-door.  I don't think the "in-bed" Jimmy style thing would work unless I always kept the back seat down (or took it out).  That might not be out of the question, though, as it really only becomes a 3-seater when I'm driving (I'm 6'4") and even then the back seat is only good for a tiny, tiny person and impossible to get in and out of.  Maybe I'll just remove the back seat and make it a flat cargo floor...put some metal plating or something back there a la those concept Baja New Beetles I saw years ago.

my rabbits are only 3 seaters too, my tools ride on the seat behind me. and my seat is always all the way back, pretty much in the back seat..

gotta move it far back to be comfy in a VW when your 6'7".. haha
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: ventureforth on July 21, 2010, 10:32:45 am
That said, I'm impressed how comfy I am in such a tiny car.  I was in a friend's XTerra the other day in the front passenger seat and it was not nearly as roomy.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: clbanman on July 21, 2010, 06:54:25 pm
You want something like the one in the bottom picture right? http://www.vwgolfcountry.net/blog/ (http://www.vwgolfcountry.net/blog/)  Couldn't find any pics or sketches that give more detail.

Or what about safari style where you put it on a roof rack?   Mess up the airflow big time and probably would be noisy.

Custom make one that mounts off your rear bumper?   Have a hitch?  Make a carrier that fits in the receiver?
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: rabbitman on July 21, 2010, 06:59:21 pm
That said, I'm impressed how comfy I am in such a tiny car.

X2, after a 520 mile road trip with four passengers I had to get re-used to having the seat all the way back. The interior shape/positioning is perfect, I drove a jetta 4 for 350 miles and could hardly stand the cramped knee room and cheesy seats.
Title: Re: Rear Tire Carrier?
Post by: ventureforth on July 21, 2010, 07:39:35 pm
This is all off-topic, but I guess that's okay since it's my thread.  My '03 Golf is not bad, but I do admit that I somehow magically feel more comfortable in the '82 Rabbit.  I was in a friend's '98 or so Jetta back when they were new and I felt like I was kissing my knees even with the passenger seat back all the way.

The seats in my Rabbit are pretty comfy, I'll admit, but I think I'm gonna swap in something better down the line.  I really like the seats that came in Volvo 240s (or even 850s).  Very orthopedic.