I have the exterior mount and want to install an interior mount. Does my H2 come with the mount holes i.e. under the carpet, by the rear hatch? Also, my rear plastic panel covers the mount hole (by the hatch). I can use this panel and just drill the mount point access, right?

Thanks!

 

Good question.........

I did this exact mod with some relative success. The answer to your first question is YES, the mount holes (threaded nuts) are located under the metal decking and welded to their respective spots. What I did to use them was simply peel back the carpet and felt then crawl under the H2 with a flash light to locate the welded on nuts. They are easy to find. Then I started off by drilling a pilot hole in both locations and drilled the holes out to fit the OEM bolts. The trick was to drill them from the bottom up, not guess where they are and try to drill from the inside down. (When I bought mine, the previous owner had the bolts with the mount.) Be sure not to drill out or damage the threads to the bolts. Then once the holes were drilled out, I took a utility knife and slit an "X" in the felt and carpet over each of the holes ( use your finger to feel where each of the holes are, then you can pierce/mark the location to cut) so when it came time to place the carpet back, the holes were open enough to get the bolts through.

The rear plastic part that covers the hole by the hatch, unfortunately as no such mount hole behind it. There is just a hole behind the plastic. So I used a bolt with a wing nut to help hold the bracket to the hatch area. All my other parts to the bracket had their respective bolts to them just like the ones on the floor did.

I'm glad I did this mod. It was one of my favorites. While I can and do understand many of our H2 members like, and even prefer, the spare tire being outside. I didn't like it and when I learned that the earlier H2's originally had them on the inside, that's when my quest to find the H2 interior spare tire mount began. I was able to sell my exterior mount to another member so it was a win-win for everyone.

Hope this helps.

 

Excellent - Thank you! I found an interior bracket on craigslist so I may tackle the project this weekend. Very good description and I appreciate your time!

 

FYR145... Thanks for your help on my project. I installed the interior tire assembly today and it took a while to complete. I ended up using a 3/8 spring-loaded interior wall nut on the hatch mount. Not sure if the guy gave me the right wheel mount piece though. The two long screws were too wide to insert in the wheel holes. I am assuming two things: The finished side of the wheel faces out and the plate where on the other side has the cone portion facing inward... Either way it isn't moving but am curious... Go the mount and wheel cover for $150

 

I went the other way, started out life with an interior mount. I wanted to free up some space when I have the third row installed so bought, installed and wired an external carrier. When I went camping and hooked up my trailer realized it didn't fit with the spare on the outside and went back to the internal carrier.

 

Been a few weeks and I am pretty happy with my decision on the internal mount. I wired led light s for the license plate and it's more convenient to just open the hatch for access. I haven't used my 3rd row seat and there's plenty of room most of the time. FYI I ran LED lights to the center marker and am really pleased with the outcome ($15)

 

Man1nBoat,

I did the same thing !!!

I got rid of the external license plate light and bought some LED's that screw right into the license plate holes. They look like bolts but these have the LED lights in each one of them. So now I have one in each corner and it is wired to my center hatch light for the power supply.

I also got my interior spare carrier for $150. Once in awhile a member will sell one for around this price. I was fortunate enough to get the factory bolts to use as well. Like you, I also had to "modify" the hatch bolt, I used a wing nut with a screw and it worked great. The rest of the mounts are factory bolts.

My wheel retainer also had those crazy long screws as well. So, after some research, I found out that the wheel chocks go there. Then they are secured to the retainer by a pair of black covered wing nuts. I didnt like them sticking out so far so I got my dremel cutter out and off they came. Now I just place them in the cover pocket or tuck them inside the spare tire once I have it mounted.

I agree that it looks better and I still have room for any baggage for traveling if needed. I keep my 3rd seat covered in a large trash bag to help keep the critters out. This was a mod I really end joyed doing.

My next mod is that hatch rear hatch door lock on the right side of the hatch area. Some of them had them while most didn't. I got the OEM switch and wiring, so now its a matter of taking the rear qtr panel apart and rounting the wire would it would normally go and mount the switch. There is a drawing in the plastic on the inside of the panel where the switch would go so I will be dremeling out that hole and mount the switch once I route the wires.

PS: Were you able to find those welded nuts under the decking in the back ???

 

Fyr145... Hey! Yeah I was able to find them; However, could not find the bolt size for them. I went one size smaller and secured them with nuts. Rock solid. For the LED lights I used a two piece LED strip which adheres to the upper license plate pocket. Cam e out really good. Took the time and soldered the connections too... You were a big help!

 

Anytime sir.................................anytime.

 

Good job!! Some good info here. I'm actually looking to do the opposite but am needing the external tire carrier system. Are any of you looking to sell yours?