[LoneRangerXLT]

I have seen mention of an interior spare tire holder. I now have the outside carrier, and it is a pain when I open the back! What is involved in moving spare to the inside? Thanks, Don

 

[GT500]

interior spare

The spare on the inside does make it easier to open the back, but it does take up more room inside than you would think. It should be a relatively easy swap. It looks like an upside down U with a brace coming off the curved section. One bolt through the wheel well, one through the floor and then the brace runs through the quarter panel trim under where the top and body meet(the ones with the outside carrier I've seen have a trim piece held in place there with a single screw, the piece is about a 2-2 1/2 inches long rectangle). I have the inside carrier in mine and I cant keep it from rattling or squeaking. My tires are 31's and the spare, same size, almost hits the back seat any bigger would probably cause problems with that. I've been looking to swap mine for an outside carrier for a little while, no luck yet. Hope I've been helpful. If you are interested I'd be willing to trade. Jim

 

[JuanPolk]

I think that what would make the owners of the "outside" wheel carrier equipped units happy would have been if Ford had made a locking assembly for this unit. I had to make a locking mechanism that holds the tire rack at any position when it is open. The outside tire rack is pretty unwieldly when it is not locked. The locking mechanism made it much better. Unfortunately I have not seen or heard of an add on for this unit. Maybe I will make, and sell an addition to the rack.
I have seen some internally mounted tire kits and they really suck up space in the typical Bronco interior; particularily when full size tires are used. In addition the muck, mud , e.t.c. when changing or rotating tires quickly becomes a problem if you keep your truck clean.

 

[LoneRangerXLT]

I guess I'll keep my outside spare now , after thinking it over. (Thanks for trade offer though, Jim) There's really no good answer; inside takes up space, outside is inconvenient to open tailgate. Pick up truck under-bed spares are really a pain.

Juan, that's a good idea for a locking mechanism. My carrier is pretty tight, so it dosen't move unless I'm parked on a tilt. I can see how it would hurt if it started swinging while you were loading something.

 

[Paul_NO]

Internal tire holder

My Bronco has the factory internal spare holder, and I have 31's too, and I don't think it really takes up that much room. The only thing I keep behind the back seat is the spare and a milk crate that holds the jumper cables, etc. We have a pick-up for hauling stuff.
Mine is the only Bronco here in New Orleans that I've seen with the internal spare holder.

 

[adami67]

Internal carrier would be useless for me with 39" tires on my ride.