Strength of the Radio Antenna Mount

[roboconcept]

I've been eyeing the 4 bolt holes on the side of my recently acquired m1009 where the radio antenna mount used to be, wondering about their strength and potential applications. I imagine they just go through the body, but it seems like a strong portion nonetheless.

I have 2 potential uses:
A) Mount a lengthwise rod to hold a single bike behind the passenger side door.
B) With a backing plate and a bolt hub, mount the full size spare taking up all the space in my trunk. (I'd have to find a way to extend the mirror on that side).

Has anyone tried anything like this? Are there issues of legality about mounting things on the sides of the vehicle vs the front and back?

 

[Warthog]

The nut rivets that are attached to the body are not very strong/sturdy. I have seen many pull out. Just a compression grip on the body sheet metal. There are no backing plates on most of them.

Great for light stuff like antennas but more that likely will not hold up to anything heavy.

I have seen pictures of a kit that had a backing plate.

In the Oil Field, many trucks have attachment on the side to hold pipe and what not.

 

[tc1283]

I know in Texas, nothing can extend 9inches on the passengers side, or 6 inches on the drivers side. Any thing more its considered "hazardous" on the road, and would require special notifications like wide load or something like that.

 

[kassim503]

I wouldnt encourage using the radio mount bolts to hold up a bike or a tire, as warthog said its being held on by the sheetmetal. Even though relocating the spare would be really nice

 

[roboconcept]

Took a second look at it, ya'll are right, not very strong place. If I put in a backing plate that attached to the frame rails above and below that portion of the body, I think it may be able to hold a bike. If I succeed, I'll post some pictures.