spare tire carrier doesn't handle 15"

[argheebe]

I upgraded 3 each 14" 215/75R14 to 3 each 225/75R15. No problems with the wheel well fit in my 2006 2720SD with a 2 1/2" lift kit. The tires were Carlisle brand, load range E. I feel good now after having a driver-side blowout going up Vail Pass on I-70 recently (snowing at the time).
I wonder if anyone could offer a suggestion about how to mount the 15" wheel/tire combo in the same place as the 14".
The two holding studs that are presently in place are just long enough to poke through the 14" wheel-with-tire and able to snug it down with the provided wing nuts.
The 15" wheel-with-tire is just tall enough (sitting in the carrier) that the studs are about 1/2" out of reach. Drat!
My thoughts are to get a female/female threaded stud extension (assuming it will fit through the stud holes after being attached to the original studs) and then use the provided wing nuts.
Of course, my ideas are limited and so I am asking for suggestions.
I did a search and was unable to find anything on the subject.
Thanks to all of you out here on the forum. ....a great help in so many ways.
Ron

[DEarle]

Welcome to the club, I did the same thing last night and had the same results. There are solutions to this problem in this thread. You might do a couple of searches for the subject. Or hopefully someone with a better memory will post.

Sorry, I reread and saw you indicated you did a search.

[hillbillyhotel]

ron
had never thought of that problem arising,
i know you have tried flipping wheel and tire over right?
i do admit i am more of a fan of the old style carrier, on the rear bumper,

[DEarle]

as suggested by Eric Larson in http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=5828

This thread mentions some of the mods for the carrier, but apparently not the bolts.
David

[Roy in Texas]

I modified my spare tire carrier just a little differently. I decided to leave the existing structure in place. I bolted on a second piece of flat steel as shown in the picture and added longer safety pins.

[Speckul8r]

I did the same thing Roy did. Works great. The gap between the old and the new steel is 3/4". The studs on mine were about a 1/2" above the holes in the wheel so I had no problem there. Outside of the tire is down so I can check inflation.