I think I figured out why they changed it for '87...

[Pete M]

went to get my spare down from the trailer and the adapter that is 86-only got quite jammed in there.    it was wedged between the tailgate and the bumper.

 

[eaglescout526]

Probably wasn’t an issue in trials and early design but that’s neat to know. Wonder how hard it would be to just simply change out the pipe to the layer style. 

[Pete M]

the only real difference I can find is the size of the hole through the bed sheetmetal right behind the bumper.  enlarge it in some manner and it should be good to go.  

[zomeizter]

There's a tool for that? 

[Pete M]

for 86 only

[zomeizter]

Ha! The few times I've had to mess with the spare, I've been able to hold it with my knees and spin the mechanism with my hand...ima fabricate me that there tool one of these days.

[Pete M]

I'll have to keep an eye out for that.