permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

[topspark Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topspark]

Hello
Has anyone permanently removed the rear spare wheel hardcover and the associated backing mount, to have just the wheel ( same as the previous gxl ).
And if so, what does it look like, what is required, and did the camera still operate ok?
cheers

[vern pasfield Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vern pasfield]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

Sure have,think its ugly and a dust deposit,rear end looks much neater without cover, have purchased a set of alloy 55w el cheapo driving lights on ebay $30 and using a short length of alloy angle put one of the lights on the leftover bolt from the wheel cover, light is wired into reversing light on RHS, comes on when reverse is engaged gives heaps of light and makes camera work even better in dark, daytime is normal.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

PICS

[topspark Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topspark]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

Sounds good.
Did you also remove the back plate/support that the wheel cover clipped onto? (mounted behind the wheel)
Some pics would be fantastic.
cheers

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

I did it whilst in the tyre yard having the BFT AT's fitted. I only owned it for 25mins!!!
Pic attached hopefully...

[kdjkiwi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kdjkiwi]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

If anyone wants to buy a white one with backing plate...

Same as Darren253, had it for about half an hour, do you reckon Toyota would give me a refund :P

tried uploading as well with no luck

[cbm8880 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cbm8880]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

With the tyre cover removed, is there significantly less protection for the reverse camera? Does it make the camera more visible/likely to get vandalised or stolen?

Cheers!

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

After looking at Bills Prado buildup thread I think I'm going to remove the wheel cover permanently too. Looks a bit soft with it on. :lol:

Anyone know if the backing plate is easy to remove (the bit the wheel cover clips into? )

Cheers, Sam.

[lissted Member Find all posts View Profile Close lissted]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

Hi Sam
From memory there were 4 or so M8 (I think) bolts. In all couple of minutes work, just undo the bolts and it falls off.

With the tyre cover removed, is there significantly less protection for the reverse camera? Does it make the camera more visible/likely to get vandalised or stolen?

Cheers!

Even with the cover off you, if you didn't know there was a camera on there, you wouldn't see it. Just looks like a bracket to hold the spare wheel so don't really think someone will nick it, BUT THEN AGAIN!!!!

Sorry this isn't the best pic of the spare wheel but it shows it.


Thanks
Peter

[blackcoal Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close blackcoal]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

Hey lissted,

What brand steel rims are those? Do you know what offset they are? I'm about to pick up my ZR in the next few weeks and I want to dump the 18" wheels.

Cheers

[lissted Member Find all posts View Profile Close lissted]

Re: permanent removal of spare wheel hardcover

Hi Blackcoal
They are just a set of steel Toyota rims from a 120 Prado/Hilux. I picked them up off ebay for $200 for 5 of them. Can't remember the off set they were exactly but from memory were 5mm shallower off set then standard. It misses the caliper by about 5mm. Just got them because I didn't wan't to break an alloy rim off road.
Thanks
Peter

[pem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pem]

I think removal is a good idea. I have just done a long trip across the desert fromAlice Springs to the west and Gibb river road and have found that stones bounced off stone guard on the trailer and lodged between the tyre cover and the rear door where they have rubbed through the paint on the door.

[sweetpea Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sweetpea]

I think removal is a good idea. I have just done a long trip across the desert fromAlice Springs to the west and Gibb river road and have found that stones bounced off stone guard on the trailer and lodged between the tyre cover and the rear door where they have rubbed through the paint on the door.

Unfortunately, once you take the backing plate off you just get bigger stones stuck between the tyre and the paint but it is at least easier to inspect and remove.

I was amazed at how many of the hard covers are discarded on the side of the road when in the desert. I assumed they were because they could not get them back on after a tyre had blown and was all distorted.

Once removed I never bothered to put it back when I got back but always thought I should put a soft cover over the spare to slow the deterioration due to UV.

S

[Guest Close Guest]

Install a tyre spacer and the problem of accumulating leaves and stones between the tyre and the door will be gone.

[maulbeagle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maulbeagle]

LOL amts - any idea where to get one ?