Another Off-the-wall Idea For An Av Modification

[MagicMtnDan]

I'm headed out to Death Valley for three days this Friday. It's going to be a blast four-wheeling and camping...

Since I had my Av lifted I've been wondering (and posting) about the possibility of fitting a 35" tire with wheel under my Av in the spare tire mount location. I've asked professionals and they're highly skeptical that a 35"er would fit under there.

Since I really want to take a full-size spare on this trip, the only other option I think I have is to put the spare on the removable cargo box lid (three-section panels). I don't mind losing the view out the rear window for this trip so it could work.

The problem I have is I don't know a good and simple way to secure the tire to the deck lid. I was hoping there'd be a way to use the things that apparently are handles. I haven't removed them by taking out the Torx screws holding them in because even if I could use those locations to mount something, I need two forward locations as well.

I even thought of temporarily mounting one of those off-road roof racks on top of the decklid panels (maybe even high enough above them so they could still be removed. If I could mount a rack there I could put my full-size spare on that rack while keeping all my other camping supplies inside the cargo box.

Anyone know anything about those handle-things? Can they be used for more than handles? What are they made of (I don't think they're metal - probably plastic or fiberglass)? Do you have any ideas for mounting either the spare tire to the decklid panels or a roof rack on top of the decklid panels? (I don't want to do anything that will permanently modify the panels or other components.

Thanks for any/all help you can provide.

 

[Alaska_AV.]

The handles can take alot. I use ratchet straps with an s hook end. At the tailgate end of the handel, it is recessed. hook there.
I've straped 20 2"x8"x16', through the rear glass hole. Many sheets of plywood/ sheetrock, 8' ,10', +12' . Wheel barows. 55 gall barrels. Stainless steel stove and blower hood. 6 inch x 16 foot pipe. And alot more, not all at once . All on top of the pannels

I also built a bar clamp that is hooked to the forward most pannel. With 4' antenna mounts on either end. I have also hooked straps to that to hold down a load from time to time. The bar lays accross the pannel and hooks the end of it at the drain rail, then under. 1/8 flat steel J hook. Look on my web site I have some pics of it. It's ugly, but I like it.

GM missed the boat on this. How many hooks in the bed? 8 I think.
You should see how I haul hand trucks

good luck