I guess I'll add my pocket change and am quite happy I can now do so on this matter. I think I am slightly regretting putting it on the passenger side. Too bad since it's real new. For me, the on-road obstruction isn't bad at all. In fact, it's a non-issue. I use my rear view mirror all the time and when passing other cars, their rate of travel can easily be monitored using the mirrors.
My only concern, as it was even before I had it built, was for off-road purposes. Backing down single lane trails, often shelf roads, creates the biggest difficulty for having the tire on the passenger side. Perhaps the biggest reason is because the right mirror isn't true as the driver's side is, thus making seeing things a little further away and requiring more focus and attention to what you're backing down. In those situations, I always looked at all 3 mirrors and through the back window seemingly every couple of feet. Now I can throw out the back window part of the equation as I can't see nothin'! A 1:1 ratio passenger mirror would help me greatly, I think. I have done a lot of backing up on the trails since I've had mine due to snow blockage, and though the view is something I would like to have back, I've done real well handling this.
I saw Adrian's new Rock Ware bumper a couple weekends ago when he came up and it looks pretty much just like mine--real slick! He did choose the driver side mounting, and also unlike mine, it doesn't swing out as far. It pretty much goes straight back and just enough room for the tailgate to swing down. Mine swings out at an angle. Either way works great.
I think one of the big things to consider on the tire carrier arm is to not make it go the distance of the bumper. You only need it to go as far as the tire basically. This means less leveraged weight on the hinge and more walking room around the thing. Personally, I love the look of the shorter arm, as you can really tell the smallness of the bumper in the area that's not covered, if that makes sense.
Reasons why I went with passenger side mounting:
1) The main reason was that I will walk from driver's side to the cargo area at camp packing/unpacking stuff etc. way more than vice versa. In retrospect, it's no big deal if it were mounted the other way.
2) Counteract the weight of the driver's side--me (solo traveler) and gas tank compensation. As it turns out, I lost ~.5" of lift on my right side and now sits identically with the left. With the ~120 pound unit, I didn't lose any lift on the left. Had I not gone this route, my driver's side would be sitting 1" lower than the right. Something to consider there.
Overall, I belive this to be personal preference. Whatever you think will work best for you. I hope the aforementioned items helps in making your decision. Personally, the only disadvatange I see with a driver's side mount, is the weight issue to that side.
As for how high the tire sits, Adrian was initially wanting it to sit higher, but has his at the same height as mine. I forget what he said as to why he went with the "standard" height. Maybe he'll chime in some time. I kind of think it had to do with the explanation of more weight leverage on the vertical arms. I would think going taller would increase the tire vibrations/oscillations and potentially greater stress/wear on the welds, but maybe that is a non-issue, I don't know. As for clearance at that height, I don't think I'll see too much of that, if any, to where the tire will hit. If I do, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I don't foresee myself being in those types of situations, but I also thought I wouldn't have done some of the stuff I've done and am planning to do, so we'll see.
I do know that I am still EXTREMELY happy with the way mine turned out. It is just awesome. I always find myself looking at those MT/R side lugs ALL THE TIME via the mirror just because they're so dang cool to look at! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> I actually need to spend more time looking at what's ahead of me! You can do this no matter which side you choose to have it mounted on! You do have to get a 5th MT/R though, John!
Good luck with your advances on this project, John.
<small>[ June 20, 2003, 10:55 PM: Message edited by: Darren ]</small>
