Bal tire carrier for Cougar

[orvlin]

Anyone put a Bal underbelly tire carrier on a 2014 Cougar 327res.Looks like the only place it could go is behind the rear tires,where the sideouts are.Sure would like some feed back.

[Campy]

Just put one on my 327RES and your right it goes behind the rear tires just past the levelers. Here's a coupe of pics for ya. It will not interfear with the slides at all and it's way better than the crappy bumper bracket. It also clears the sliding rear bumper, even though I removed mine. Remember to make sure it pulls out to the curb side, you don't want to be pulling it out into traffic!

[orvlin]

Thanks so much for the info did you use #28218 was worried about the slideout rod that runs next to the frame.:)

[Campy]

Thanks so much for the info did you use #28218 was worried about the slideout rod that runs next to the frame.:)

Yes that is the one I got, for I beam frame with enclosed underbelly. The "square" drive rod for the slideout is not an issue because the mount sits right down on the lower lip of the I beam. The only tricky part is drilling the holes, there is no way of knowing whats on the backside so I got a drillstop and just barely drilled through. The mounting bolts I got for it are the same type the factory uses that cut their own threads and were 3/4 inch long (see pic). Once you drill through you can make sure no wires are there and your good to go. If you have concerns you could pull down the belly skin to make sure.

[orvlin]

Thanks again, you have been so helpful.:)

[orvlin]

Do you remember what number self tapper you used, you said 3/4 long how fat were they #

[GmaPaTime]

Just a note of safety for installing this BAL tire carrier. BAL recommends at least two 5/16" bolts be installed on each bracket per instructions, not just self taping screws.

[orvlin]

Thanks for the info, carrier will be here Friday, was trying to find out what bolts i need before it gets here, cause apparently no hardware comes with it.:)

[GmaPaTime]

Thanks for the info, carrier will be here Friday, was trying to find out what bolts i need before it gets here, cause apparently no hardware comes with it.:)

I used 5/16" x 1" and driiled 3/8" dia. holes. If you go to the BAL website, you can download the instructions you'll receive with the carrier.

[orvlin]

Appreciate the help!!!

[Campy]

Do you remember what number self tapper you used, you said 3/4 long how fat were they #

They were 3/8 diameter. I seen that info on having it "through bolted" but that was a minimum recommendation. I bolted with 4 self-tap bolts per side and loc-tited them in. There is minimal force being applied to the bolt because of the weight being carried on the lower lip of the I-beam, now if it was a straight sided or box frame then through bolting it would be a must because that would place the bolts in shear. A faster way would be to just weld it on.

boltdepot.com and the part number is #7356

[orvlin]

GmaPaTime what kind of bolts did you use, i have been looking for bolts with cutters and cant find anything, and the self taping only go to a #14, or did you put bolts with nut on the back side of frame and have to remove the under covering to put bolts with nuts.One reply showed a picture of a bolt,would like to know were i could get that, i looked a Menards & Lowes & local Hardware store????:confused:

[GmaPaTime]

GmaPaTime what kind of bolts did you use, i have been looking for bolts with cutters and cant find anything, and the self taping only go to a #14, or did you put bolts with nut on the back side of frame and have to remove the under covering to put bolts with nuts.One reply showed a picture of a bolt,would like to know were i could get that, i looked a Menards & Lowes & local Hardware store????:confused:

Not sure what others have used but I installed with bolts, washers and nuts. Yes I had to open up belly, but that was not that big of a deal.

I installed it this way for a couple of reasons. One is I'm old school... Lock it down. Secondly and most important to me was with a tire weighing approximately 35lbs. and it coming loose in front of my axles doing 55 mph, I'm going to do whats needed to make damn sure that thing don't come loose. :D

Steve