Spare wheel Valve extension.

[ROOKIE]

Hello all.

I thought I would share a 20 min mod that really makes checking the spare wheel pressure easier. I am guilty of not checking the spare wheel pressure often enough because it was a giant schlep to drop the wheel, load it into the truck and drive to the petrol station. I think the last time I checked it wasJuly last year.

I found a spare wheel valve extension on 4x4direct, and fitting was very easy. Even a technically challenged desk jockey like me could do it.

Now, my Hilux is bog standard. I wanted to have the value somewhere where I could easily check the pressure and if necessary top up the air.

I decided to fit it to the plastic number plate surround.


number plate surround (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr

Removing it was quite easy. Removing the number plate you will find 2 bolts that hold both the license plate holder as well as the plastic surround to the rear bumper. Once these were unbolted I could pop off the plastic surround so I could work with it.


bolts holding surround (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr

I drilled an 8mm hole in the left hand side of the surround, just big enough to get the end of the valve extension through and refitted it.


Valve ext. (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr

I then dropped the spare, and attached the extension to it. I then routed the extension up, between the end of the chassis cross member and the load bin, while the spare was still on the floor. The reason for this I wanted to ensure there was sufficient length in the valve extension to fully lower the wheel without putting strain on the plastic surround. There is more than enough length.


checking length (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr


load bin and chassis (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr


After fitting the retaining nut and washer as well as some locktite, I pushed the valve through the surround, and attached the second washer and nut, some more locktite and tightened everything up.


surround fitting rear (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr


surround fitting front (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr

A quick test with my tire pressure gauge and job done!


testing (Small) by PD987789, on Flickr

The end result is a fairly discreet, but easily accessed valve to check and inflate the spare. Now I have no excuse.

Hope you find this of benefit.

[Taljaag]

Paul dit is nou n bakgat plan.

[The Legend]

Very nice-But the negative of it is that it is also very easy for somebdy else to deflate your sparewheel.So you will have to check your sparewheel more often for corect tyre pressure.

[Thunder02]

Very clever idea,also well hidden

[Bushwacker]

http://hilux4x4.co.za/views/viewtopic.p ... ilit=valve

[ROOKIE]

Paul dit is nou n bakgat plan.

Glad you find it useful.

Very nice-But the negative of it is that it is also very easy for somebdy else to deflate your sparewheel.So you will have to check your sparewheel more often for corect tyre pressure.

Interesting point. As the valve cap is metal, I suppose you could use a pair of pliers to tighten it beyond the ability of the casual mischief maker to loosen

[CasKru]

Like the idea. Don't think someone will go to the effort of deflating your spare if there are 4 other tyres they can deflate.