Spare tire mounting....

[TINMAN]

Hello all

Well I just upgraded to 33 inch tires on my TJ. But I am now wondering what I am going to do to mount the full size spare. I can get the extensions to just mount in on the back....but was wondering if you guys have any other ideas. I am toying with building something to mount it inside removing the backseat.....but any ideas would be welcome

Thanks for all the help and ideas....

[OhioYJ]

I've got my 36 inside, it lays where the back seat used to be.

Anyways you not going to want to mount that on the tailgate, it won't hold it, over time something will give.

A tire carrier would be nice, but they can get pricey.

Are you sure you won't miss your backseat? For the most part I don't miss mine, but there have been a few times I would have like to have it.

Lots of options....

[frankiefire702]

Just strap it to the floor in the back of the jeep and be done with it.

[Imrubicon]

I like the best top carrier . and to stop the comments the weight is not carried by the body. holds 33's without a problem with room for more and is seprate from the bumper so you get to choose the bumper you want . Cost was a tad over two bills though .
I'm not a welder and didnt really like the looks of most do it your self rear bumpers I've seen . Had it on 2 1/2 years and only had to adjust it once to stop a minor rattle. A nut had worked loose on a trip to Iowa from TX (damm badd roads in IOWA) install was easier than it looked . Did it by myself in a couple of hours and dinner LOL
Over all a worth while purchase as I couldnt have made one like this for the money JMHO

[Jigsaw]

I also have the Bestop tire carrier. Have had it for 3 years minor adjustment just made this afternoon must have worked loose on trip to Texas from Iowa (damm bad roads in Texas).

[ChadYJ92]

I carried both a 33" and 35" tire on my stock carrier for years. I have cracked two carriers, and about a month ago I broke an actual tailgate hinge. I wouldn't recommend mounting to the tailgate, but it will be ok as a temporary mount.

[Knuckelhead]

As for the OEM mount not being carried by the body I would like to comment on that. The only thing on the back of a TJ that is not carried by the body is the gas tank and the bumper. Everything else is riding on the body mounts and there are only 2 at the rear, yes there are more forward of those 2 but only 2 are doing the majority of the support for weight behind the wheel well. I had a 33x9.5 as a light weight spare mounted on the OEM carrier. When descending Mt Blanca 2 years ago I was dropping down off a ledge and caught the left-hand rear corner of the frame where the bumper attaches. The drop before catching the frame was about 1.5 feet. The shock of impact on the left-hand rear body mount was enough to collapse the sheet metal under the license plate. In my opinion your better off putting 33” and larger tires on a bumper mounted rack to get the added weight off the body…

[disturbed 1]

As Chad said, the hinges are not going to be happy. They were never designed to carry a tire larger & heavier than a 30"-31". I'd get the bumper spare mount setup and call it a day.

[Tonka]

After getting a bumper + tire carrier, I would have rather got the Bestop tire carrier because it can work with the gate, allowing easier access to the back without messing around with a tire carrier that works independent of the gate.

Whatever you decide, just think about conditions of which you would need the spare. If you have ever changed a flat on the shoulder of a busy highway/freeway, you do not want to spend very much time wrestling with your spare and your flat.

[00TJ4L]

If you want to run something bumper mounted, but without the hassle of messing with the swingout to get your tailgate open, checkout the Safarigard swing out. It has a link from the swingout to the tailgate and when you open the tailgate the swingout opens too.