Spare wheel mounting holes

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

This is the spare wheel mounting point, it's a 1971shell so far as I can make out and had the bent piece of threaded bar to hold the rim. The question is, what are the other four smaller holes for ? Should there be some sort of bracket there too ?

[Dean]

I've never seen any additional bolts in that position. I'm not even sure mine has those holes, just the cranked bolt.
Dean

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

That's what I thought. But the cranked bolt seems to hold the spare very close to the body, causing the tyre to rub the paint (alloy rims and wider tyres probably don't help)

[Tim]

My '71 just had the bent bolt, no other holes. Its common (usual) for the tailgate bit to get a bend outwards where the weight of the spare works at it. I wouldn't be surpised if the extra holes were some kind of bracing or plate to stiffen it up. I've seen lots of different methods used to strengthen that area.

The paint always gets rubbed off, so the best thing is to hide it with the spare wheel. Modern tyres are part of the problem, their walls bulge out more than the originals. I have Californian bumpers and I can't get my spare out of the gap between the bumper and the body without doing some disassembly. I put it in there to go to Moke Muster in Shepparton back in 2006 and its been there ever since.

Tim

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

Good. So I can fill 'em in then

[Tim]

Yep, I would.

Tim

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

J'want to bob over and get to it then ?

[Doug G]

Perhaps for bolting the body to a frame to allow transportation on the assembly line during manufacture?

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

I think they'd have to be a bit more substantial than they are if that was the case. Besides no-one else seems to have them!

[Tim]

J'want to bob over and get to it then ?

I would, but probably won't get a leave pass form the missus, so how about I send you some weld metal and you put it in the holes?

Tim

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

That's very kind of you, but I'll pass. I'd have to pick all the chewing gum out then

[Tim]

Chewing gum? You've seen my welding then?

Tim

[Wally2]

Nigel,
I see you are back in Ozz land!!
Chris

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

Wel it is summer there you know