Full Size Spare Mount (In Progress)

[J.McDonald Knives]

Well a few days ago I was looking around in my garage and came across a box that said Genuine Subaru Parts and I was trying to figure out what it was so I looked in it and saw my old right rear hub. I have been wanting to fab up a mount for a full size spare and when I saw that hub the lightbulb in my head went off. So for the last few days I have put in about 9-10 hours working on it to get where I am now. Most of that time was spent just on the hub and grinding it and sanding it and cutting it to make it look good. I popped out the 5 original lugs as well. The base is made out of 1" angle iron and also 3/8" plate. All I need to do is cut the legs and weld them on and it will be ready to be mounted in my car once I modify the spare tire area and add bracing. Heres pics of what I have done so far. Sorry about the crappy welds, my welder doesn't seem to get hot enough and out of the 3 different welding rods I had I could only use the smallest which turned out to be 6013. I was hoping to be able to use the 6010 and 7018 rods I had. So what yall think about my idea? BTW even tho the welds are crappy they are holding.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/10/SSPX1570-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/10/SSPX1571-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/10/SSPX1574-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/10/SSPX1575-1.jpg

[Reason]

Wow 7018? That's what we use to weld joists and beams for buildings. Nice welding job btw haha :wink:

A tip, your welds don't need to support too much weight, grind them down a bit for a more uniform look.

[J.McDonald Knives]

If I could get my 4.5" angle grinder in there to grind them I would. I'm also not too worried about the way the welds look since they will be covered by the spare tire. I was going to do it on the base where the hub is welded but I couldn't get it in there. BTW at school we run the stringer in 6010 and then the hot pass, filler, and cap are all done in 7018. So how you like my idea of using old parts and putting them back to good use?

[Colorado_Outback]

Like you said a little on the cold side.. What machine were you using? In any case it should work just fine. Will it fit under the stock floor in your Outback?

[J.McDonald Knives]

Its gonna sit on top like you would see in the back of a truck. There is no room in the stock spare tire area for a full size tire. And I'm using a cheap monkey ward 100amp cracker box and I had it cranked up to max. I inherited it from my grandpa. I should have gone for the 230amp instead.

[Reason]

Well the whole point of having a clean weld is for strength. If you have something with holes and slag in the welds it's not as strong as a clean weld. For us to be certified part of our test is filling a beveled groove of two 40 degree angle vertically, it has to be a weld. They cut it open look for imperfections (it needs to look like a solid piece) and then bend it in half.

BUT none of this is really a concern for you since it's just for a spare tire. Tensile strength on 60,000 psi is more than enough. Plus 6010 spatters a lot, I could imagine what your welds would have looked like if you used that haha. 7018 would have been a cleaner bead. I mostly use 7018, 6011 and 7024. 7024 is EASY to weld, I love it when the flux just peels off as you weld revealing the row of "dimes" under it.

Enough about that, but yes using the hub was better than making your own, Where do you plan on mounting it?

[J.McDonald Knives]

All in due time. You will find out where I mount it after I get the area prepped for it. I just have a few body mods to do before I can even get it mounted.:D

[Reason]

Well I ask this because you have this in interior.

[jg09]

Wow, kind of heavy duty for a spare tire carrier!

[J.McDonald Knives]

Its going in the cargo area.

[J.McDonald Knives]

I would work on the legs of it today but in less than 3 hours we are meeting at Hooters for the Subaru meet. Here where I live there are not too many things to do outside of work so I'm starting to get into the car scene around here and hanging out with fellow Subaru enthusiasts.

[Reason]

Here where I live there are not too many things to do outside of work so I'm starting to get into the car scene around here and hanging out with fellow Subaru enthusiasts.

Don't you guys go cow tipping? Is that not cool anymore? :lol:

[J.McDonald Knives]

Only if you want to get shot. Remember this is Texas where gun control means knowing how to shoot your target.

[Colorado_Outback]

Its going in the cargo area.

Right on, I would love to have a full size spare but cant give up the cargo area, as I like to lay the seats flat for camping.
Looking forward to the finished product.

[J.McDonald Knives]

I was thinking about it and I could modify the mounts so that you bolt them to the cargo hooks and it will lay on top of your cargo area. I would have to do some testing but it could be done and you won't sacrifice anything but a little bit of room and you won't have to worry about the seats not moving forward or anything. All that I would require would be an old hub and money for supplies and a little bit for labor and I could make them for the other Outbacks. I could also give yall the measurements so that yall could do it or have it done since I know there are other welders on here.