Being able to carry as much as possible for an adventure is key, but carrying it well can be a headache. We wanted to make sure that our 2019 Chevrolet Silverado had everything that was needed for the dirt, but also when the truck needs to be used as a truck.
To make sure that this could be done we turned to 454 Motorsports and their full line of removable tire cages. Having a permanent fixture in the bed of a truck can create a headache when it comes time to move a friend.
We went with their Bravo 2 removable tire cage that would allow us to fit our Pro Eagle jack and two five-gallon fuel cans. The tire cage was exactly what we needed, but the biggest feature was the removable portion.
READY TO GO ANYWHERE
Heading to 454 Motorsports in Arizona we got to see firsthand how the tire cage would work. We had the chance to speak with Gary Graham, the owner of 454 Motorsports, while our tire cage was getting installed.
“The Bravo 2 Cage is almost identical to the original Bravo cage, but it mounts the jack vertically and towards the front of the cage,” Graham explained. “This allows extra storage space in between the tires. The extra space can be used for recovery gear, toolboxes, and most commonly two five-gallon gas cans.”
Going to 37-inch tires we knew that the tire cage would work for our situation as well as be able to hold any 35 to 37-inch tires.
It holds two tires and at just over 44 inches wide, it’s the perfect fit for most full-size trucks. Like all of 454 Motorsports cages, it can be mounted forward towards the cab or rear towards the tailgate for the owner’s preference.
“When the tie downs are cinched, it forces the tires down, which slightly lifts the cage up,” Graham said. “This causes everything to bind and tighten up producing no rattling and no vibrations.”
“The pins go through the plates, the bed, and even goes through larger plates under the bed,” Graham continued. “You must run both tires and both straps tight to secure cage.”
The placement and measurement of the tire cage is the most difficult part of the installation. It is extremely important to make sure that there is nothing that can be damaged when drilling the holes for the metal straps.
“Cages now come standard with plates to mount your jack skid and mount,” Graham said. “They are pre-drilled for Pro Eagle’s popular line of jacks, but you can easily drill holes for your own jack mount. Mounting plates and all necessary grade 8 hardware is included.”
With our tire cage installed it was time to roll the wheels in and strap down the gas jugs, but first we needed to install our jack.
JACK OF ALL TRAITS
A jack to remove a tire comes in almost every vehicle, but that jack is meant to be used with the factory features. Larger lifts, suspension upgrades, and tires all play into that jack not being able to do its job when it is needed.
To help combat this issue and to make sure that our Silverado or any other vehicle we were out with could have a proper jack, we decided to utilize Pro Eagle’s two-ton OG off-road jack.
“Based on our 2-ton jack platform, we have added strong solid axles and large non-pneumatic wheels to give our jack a lift,” Chuck Foreman of Pro Eagle explained. “No longer will you have to worry about dragging your jack through the sand or not being able to run over a zip tie or pebble in the garage. We worked hard to create the ultimate off-road jack that would hold up to the toughest off-road racing conditions.”
All Pro Eagle jacks come with an extension, extension mounting bracket, and built-in skid plate. When fully extended the jack reaches heights of 24 inches using the supplied eight-inch extension. If more height is needed, Pro Eagle offers a 15-inch extension which adjusts from 10 to 15 inches.
PUT TO USE
With everything installed we were ready to go. The tire cage in the back of the truck completely changed the look of the truck, but more importantlay gave us what we needed for our adventures.
Our favorite part of the 454 Motorsports tire cage was the fact that it is removeable. We have had fixed carriers on past builds and it really makes things difficult when more bed space is needed.
We were able to keep our Line-X tonneau cover on the truck by rolling it up to the cab while our tire cage is installed. With the tire cage removed we would be able to roll the cover down and keep items dry and secure in the bed.
Overall we couldn’t be happier with the 454 Motorsports Bravo 2 tire cage and the Pro Eagle OG jack. For work or play this was the exact combination that we needed.
To find the right jack for your application, be sure to check out Pro Eagle’s website. For more information on 454 Motorsports, or to find a tire cage for your truck, be sure to visit their website.
