2 Questions,
1) What are spider gears good for and do I need them in the carrier? Can I just run the ring and pinion and not have to worry about the little spiders?
2)Where can I find just the latches and hinges for swing away tire carriers? If I'm trying to make my own and need parts say.

Thanks in advance, Josh Brown

You need your spider gears unless you change out the carrier for a 'traction adder" or install a lunch-box locker.

http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Drivetrain/differential.shtml

quote:

The differential transfers torque from the drive shaft or transmission output to the differential’s drive axles. The spider gears and side gears allow the axles to turn at different rates, which is necessary when the car makes a turn. The outer wheel must turn faster than the inner wheel, creating a speed differential (which is how it got its name).

Some of the manufacturers of swing-aways use a Destaco latch, which is rated to 2000lbs.

You could do a web search for that name, or perhaps just call some of the manufacturers and see if they will sell you just the latch.

As for the hinge, all I know is that my one (Koz Offroad) uses possibly the biggest bolt I have ever seen, with some pretty serious metal fabbed around it.