jmoss5723 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I've been driving my BRAT for a while with either no spare tire or one that is too small stored under the hood. I'd like to get a 5th pug wheel to match the set I have and mount it somewhere instead of just leaving loose in the bed. So I'm looking for ideas and opinions. So far I'm thinking I'll make a swing out carrier of the bumper I'm building in the near future, but I want to hear opinions on all options: Rear swing out Rear swing down Front bumper mount (I don't think that my BRAT is big enough to pull off this look) Roof mount (My BRAT is a hard top) Bed mount somehow (I'd still like the bed to reasonable useable and I DO have jump seats installed) Something I'm not thinking of...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted May 6, 2015 Author Share Posted May 6, 2015 Another option is something like this to replace my beat-up tailgate: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagonist Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 (edited) I reckon replacing the tailgate like that makes the tray not usuable extra for bulky items you can tie down. I've seen option 4 done a few times. Get some older style roof racks meant for the sedan & wagon, bolt a frame between them. Option 3 would compromise the radiator cooling in hotter weather. ok on a big truck with lots of frontal area, not so much on a subie. Another option would be to fix it to the inside of the tailgate? Option 1 is the most popular over here, but you'll see it more on wagons/SUVs Edited May 6, 2015 by wagonist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subasaurus Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 (edited) tire on the roof looks good on wagons with that extra roof rack cage ontop of the roof rack, not sure about the brat though. (never seen one in real life so i wouldn't know) Edited May 6, 2015 by Subasaurus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihscout54 Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 In a recent study conducted by UCLA, 72% of single American females prefer a spare tire in the bed of a BRAT. You simply cant argue with data like that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 the remaining 28% undecided or just detest anything less tha..should say more than - a six pack ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 In a recent study conducted by UCLA, 72% of single American females prefer a spare tire in the bed of a BRAT. You simply cant argue with data like that. But my jump seats. And my wife... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) Triple post. Stinkin mobile. Edited May 8, 2015 by jmoss5723 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) Double post. Edited May 8, 2015 by jmoss5723 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihscout54 Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I have/had these things as well till the results of the survey were made public. Remove the jumpseats of death install the tire in its new location. Your wife neednt know I doubt the new oversize tire will fit nicely in the rearmost location behind the wheel wells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihscout54 Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) the remaining 28% undecided or just detest anything less tha..should say more than - a six pack ?15% were unsure of what a brat was.10% favored a Dodge Rampage The final 3% Had no idea Subaru existed. Edited May 8, 2015 by ihscout54 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subasaurus Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 The final 3% Had no idea Subaru existed.lol, as ignorant as this world is, i would say like 10% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Consider this- No trike nor motorcycle has a spare wheel. We carry blow up pressure can foamy stuff. In 6 years and 55,000kms I've never had a flat tyre. And so the foamy cans are 6 years old now and never used. Just adding another concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 I have/had these things as well till the results of the survey were made public. Remove the jumpseats of death install the tire in its new location. Your wife neednt know I doubt the new oversize tire will fit nicely in the rearmost location behind the wheel wells. I just installed the jump seats of death last week! The jump seats are one of the coolest parts about the BRAT. They're neat for cruising around town, but because they are so unsafe, no one rides in them on the highway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontoontodd Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Consider this- No trike nor motorcycle has a spare wheel. We carry blow up pressure can foamy stuff. In 6 years and 55,000kms I've never had a flat tyre. And so the foamy cans are 6 years old now and never used. Just adding another concept. Those tire patch kits with the little rubber ropes, rubber cement, and insertion tool work surprisingly well too, but it's good to have a way to air up then. I vote for rear swing out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 Those tire patch kits with the little rubber ropes, rubber cement, and insertion tool work surprisingly well too, but it's good to have a way to air up then. I vote for rear swing out. Fun fact: I used to work for a guy who makes those kits. Those things are magic. You can plug a tire that still has the air in it! I've seen 8 inch sidewall gashes fixed with the stuff. Magic I tell ya. http://barnespsp.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBrizat Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 remember that a spare out back that sticks out farther than the bumper means that the spare gets hit first if somebody hits you. Not much difference in a real collision, but if somebody is parallel parking by braille, it could cause problems. I noticed that was often the case with Rav4's when my daughter was driving hers. We were lucky, but I saw a lot who weren't. Of course less of a factor if there is no glass back there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 remember that a spare out back that sticks out farther than the bumper means that the spare gets hit first if somebody hits you. Not much difference in a real collision, but if somebody is parallel parking by braille, it could cause problems. I noticed that was often the case with Rav4's when my daughter was driving hers. We were lucky, but I saw a lot who weren't. Of course less of a factor if there is no glass back there. I would MUCH prefer that the spare gets hit first. In parking bumps, it might mean no damage done at all. In a bigger hit, it is another half foot of material between me and the car rear-ending me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subasaurus Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I would MUCH prefer that the spare gets hit first. In parking bumps, it might mean no damage done at all. In a bigger hit, it is another half foot of material between me and the car rear-ending me.agree, but theres so many minor accidents that happen for every major one, so the chances of the tire killing you are slim, so i would mount the tire in the back like a Rav4 if i was doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 The tire patch string kit and a 12v compressor sounds best That's what I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowmastered87GL Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Someone at the West Coast Subaru show had a BRAT with the spare tire hidden UNDER the jump seats. They were on a lifted removable frame that sat above the tire that was attached to the bed floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontoontodd Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I would MUCH prefer that the spare gets hit first. In parking bumps, it might mean no damage done at all. In a bigger hit, it is another half foot of material between me and the car rear-ending me. Some SUVs with the tire on the back are easily totalled in a minor collision because you're now destroying your rear tailgate, etc rather than just the bumper. Something to keep in mind when building it at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subasaurus Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 (edited) Some SUVs with the tire on the back are easily totalled in a minor collision because you're now destroying your rear tailgate, etc rather than just the bumper. Something to keep in mind when building it at least. i was in a car accident with my 1989 GL Wagon and the only damage done was my rear bumper plastic cover, metal underneath was perfectly fine but guess what happened, it was totaled! i bet if a walmart shopping cart hit your vehicle and dinged it, you report it to the insurance company, they will still totale it. Edited May 9, 2015 by Subasaurus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sull Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 guess what happened, it was totaled! A year ago I got slammed by a mid size pickup truck from behind while sitting in traffic (I have a 93 Loyale). Spilled hot coffee and a stiff neck was the worst that happen. Car was fine. The rear bumper rubber had minor indentation from impact in 2 spots but no dent of actual bumper. Insurance assesed damage at $1400, almost at totaled price point, just under I guess it was. So I made out on that one. Happy these cars are like tanks (at least from front and back I'm also debating on spare tire situation now that I took mine out from under hood since I run larger wheels/tires with 5x100 pattern now. Going to run without one for a while anyway but interesting discussion here! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subasaurus Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Insurance assesed damage at $1400, almost at totaled price point, just under I guess it was. So I made out on that one. Happy these cars are like tanks (at least from front and back you're right about being like a tank, the thickness of the metal isn't like the ones built today, especially the hatch, the doors are questionable though, i wouldn't want to be hit on the side but i feel quite safe on the front and back. they assessed mine at $1,675 but progressive does this BS stuff where you take care of 20% and the insurance covers 80% so i got $1,200, still good money for nothing, bought another wagon for parts for $200 and that took care of the bumper issue and other things that were wrong on it, and the other 1,000 i kept for myself. ofcourse at the cost of a clean title but i have no plans on seling this vehicle or ever, im literally going to drive this vehicle into the dirt, if it ever gets there since i keep fixing every issue that pops up literally the next day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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