What was done to your JK this week?
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Coloardo
I wanted to post this in the event it might help some of ya'll.
We bought a Thule bike carrier for our factory spare tire and after a few months noticed the tailgate sounded different when it latched. The wife started doing internet searches and found what ya'll already knew, the stock spare tire mount isn't designed to carry additional weight.
Being an old Hot Rodder at heart I came up with a relatively inexpensive fix. I built a scissor jack support for the rear tire that attaches to the existing receiver hitch. We only use this when the bikes are on the carrier.
The scissor jack support is shown in the photos below. It simply slides into the hitch and is secured with a standard hitch pin. Then the scissor jack is turned by hand until it is against the spare tire, just enough pressure for support. This counteracts the extra weight of the bicycles and elminates the extra load on the hinges, latch and tailgate. Keep in mind the "damaging" effect of the extra weight is when you are driving the Jeep with the extra weight. Bumps, potholes, etc. create loads greater than the actual weight.
The nice thing about this is you simply reach down and lower the jack a bit and you can still open the tailgate. Then once closed you just reach down and raise the jack against the tire.
We bought a scissor jack for like $30 bucks, but could have used the stock jack that came with the Jeep.
We bought a Thule bike carrier for our factory spare tire and after a few months noticed the tailgate sounded different when it latched. The wife started doing internet searches and found what ya'll already knew, the stock spare tire mount isn't designed to carry additional weight.
Being an old Hot Rodder at heart I came up with a relatively inexpensive fix. I built a scissor jack support for the rear tire that attaches to the existing receiver hitch. We only use this when the bikes are on the carrier.
The scissor jack support is shown in the photos below. It simply slides into the hitch and is secured with a standard hitch pin. Then the scissor jack is turned by hand until it is against the spare tire, just enough pressure for support. This counteracts the extra weight of the bicycles and elminates the extra load on the hinges, latch and tailgate. Keep in mind the "damaging" effect of the extra weight is when you are driving the Jeep with the extra weight. Bumps, potholes, etc. create loads greater than the actual weight.
The nice thing about this is you simply reach down and lower the jack a bit and you can still open the tailgate. Then once closed you just reach down and raise the jack against the tire.
We bought a scissor jack for like $30 bucks, but could have used the stock jack that came with the Jeep.
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: alvin, tx
I wanted to post this in the event it might help some of ya'll.
We bought a Thule bike carrier for our factory spare tire and after a few months noticed the tailgate sounded different when it latched. The wife started doing internet searches and found what ya'll already knew, the stock spare tire mount isn't designed to carry additional weight.
Being an old Hot Rodder at heart I came up with a relatively inexpensive fix. I built a scissor jack support for the rear tire that attaches to the existing receiver hitch. We only use this when the bikes are on the carrier.
The scissor jack support is shown in the photos below. It simply slides into the hitch and is secured with a standard hitch pin. Then the scissor jack is turned by hand until it is against the spare tire, just enough pressure for support. This counteracts the extra weight of the bicycles and elminates the extra load on the hinges, latch and tailgate. Keep in mind the "damaging" effect of the extra weight is when you are driving the Jeep with the extra weight. Bumps, potholes, etc. create loads greater than the actual weight.
The nice thing about this is you simply reach down and lower the jack a bit and you can still open the tailgate. Then once closed you just reach down and raise the jack against the tire.
We bought a scissor jack for like $30 bucks, but could have used the stock jack that came with the Jeep.
We bought a Thule bike carrier for our factory spare tire and after a few months noticed the tailgate sounded different when it latched. The wife started doing internet searches and found what ya'll already knew, the stock spare tire mount isn't designed to carry additional weight.
Being an old Hot Rodder at heart I came up with a relatively inexpensive fix. I built a scissor jack support for the rear tire that attaches to the existing receiver hitch. We only use this when the bikes are on the carrier.
The scissor jack support is shown in the photos below. It simply slides into the hitch and is secured with a standard hitch pin. Then the scissor jack is turned by hand until it is against the spare tire, just enough pressure for support. This counteracts the extra weight of the bicycles and elminates the extra load on the hinges, latch and tailgate. Keep in mind the "damaging" effect of the extra weight is when you are driving the Jeep with the extra weight. Bumps, potholes, etc. create loads greater than the actual weight.
The nice thing about this is you simply reach down and lower the jack a bit and you can still open the tailgate. Then once closed you just reach down and raise the jack against the tire.
We bought a scissor jack for like $30 bucks, but could have used the stock jack that came with the Jeep.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Just installed Banks Ram-Air CAI. Only have about 20 miles on since I installed it. Hope it shows a little mpg increase - even if it's 1 mpg better. That would equal out to a little more than a free gallon of gas each fill-up! After about 75 fill-ups I'd be even... 
Hey, every little bit helps! But I do like the sound it gives my jeep.
Like I said, I have only driven it about 20 miles but I have noticed a little hesitation now. Anyone else experience that?
Hey, every little bit helps! But I do like the sound it gives my jeep.Like I said, I have only driven it about 20 miles but I have noticed a little hesitation now. Anyone else experience that?
I'm still waiting for my Trektop NX to get here.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 1
From: elko, nv
Originally Posted by snags922
Just installed Banks Ram-Air CAI. Only have about 20 miles on since I installed it. Hope it shows a little mpg increase - even if it's 1 mpg better. That would equal out to a little more than a free gallon of gas each fill-up! After about 75 fill-ups I'd be even... Hey, every little bit helps! But I do like the sound it gives my jeep.
Like I said, I have only driven it about 20 miles but I have noticed a little hesitation now. Anyone else experience that?
Hey, every little bit helps! But I do like the sound it gives my jeep.Like I said, I have only driven it about 20 miles but I have noticed a little hesitation now. Anyone else experience that?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Hesitation as in lag when accelerating? Do you have larger tires? & did you re-caliberate you speedo? I have the banks to & noticed some before I got my procal now its alot less. But thats ok its not a race car so I don't need to be off the line fast just up the boulder eventually. Also I noticed a little gain in fuel economy about a 1-1.5 still only get like 14-15 mpg. It does give the minivan engine a better sound.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Been there - done that! Still there - still doing that!
Drinking helps the situation though! Eases the pain.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 1
From: elko, nv
Originally Posted by snags922
When I step on the throttle, it takes a second for it to react. I have slightly larger tires - 295/70R17 - they are 33.6" instead of the stock 32". I did use my ProCal to recalibrate the speedo. I know it's no race car but when pulling into traffic, I don't want any hesitation.