Rugged Ridge Tire Carrier - Hi-Lift Jack Mod
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JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 34
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Rugged Ridge Tire Carrier - Hi-Lift Jack Mod
My original Jack carrier was the Rugged Ridge (RR) kit that bolted onto the tailgate hinge, which I was perfectly happy with. Then I added the RR tire carrier to my RR bumper which required the jack carrier to be raised about 5 inches to clear the swing out tire carrier. It is kind of cool that RR though of this and designed the jack carrier to accommodate, BUT it raised the top of the jack to a height that would no longer allow my JK to fit in the garage....
Flash Forward. I was looking at the tire carrier and realized that the tire mount could be pivoted angling the top of the tire forward which looks cool and also opens up some room underneath the tire. After looking and looking, I realized I could fit my Jack in the void under the tire and solve my problem.....
So here is what I did....
I loosened the top bolts of the tire mount allowing it to pivot. Once the proper angel was achieved, I tightened the bolts and threw the tire back on. This freed up several inches between the tire carrier frame and the tire.
Then I went to my trusty Ace Hardware and bought a 1/2"x 4" bolts with washers and nuts. I drilled into the angled frame of the tire carrier and set the bolt with two nuts on the jack side for spacing. I utilized wing nuts for ease of removal. The bolts fit best about 8 5/8 inches from the bottom of the swingarm. I measured the other bolt to be at the same height as the first, but spaced widthwise to fit the Hi-lift jack. Once the jack was placed, I put the tire back on which keeps the jack from being easily removed.
Flash Forward. I was looking at the tire carrier and realized that the tire mount could be pivoted angling the top of the tire forward which looks cool and also opens up some room underneath the tire. After looking and looking, I realized I could fit my Jack in the void under the tire and solve my problem.....
So here is what I did....
I loosened the top bolts of the tire mount allowing it to pivot. Once the proper angel was achieved, I tightened the bolts and threw the tire back on. This freed up several inches between the tire carrier frame and the tire.
Then I went to my trusty Ace Hardware and bought a 1/2"x 4" bolts with washers and nuts. I drilled into the angled frame of the tire carrier and set the bolt with two nuts on the jack side for spacing. I utilized wing nuts for ease of removal. The bolts fit best about 8 5/8 inches from the bottom of the swingarm. I measured the other bolt to be at the same height as the first, but spaced widthwise to fit the Hi-lift jack. Once the jack was placed, I put the tire back on which keeps the jack from being easily removed.
Last edited by Chris Gonzalez; Nov 24, 2013 at 10:18 PM.
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 563
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL and Waynesville, NC
Great idea and nice job. I like the idea that the tire makes it difficult to get to the jack and if you have a locking lug nut it's like locking your lift.
This would be an idea that RR should pick up on.
This would be an idea that RR should pick up on.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
access to hi lift jack
Do you have to remove the tire to access the jack? It looks a little tight in there. Other than that - it looks great!!
I know you used wing nuts, but can you actually get back there to loosen them and can you remove the jack without removing your spare?
I know you used wing nuts, but can you actually get back there to loosen them and can you remove the jack without removing your spare?
Last edited by g'eep09jk; Dec 4, 2013 at 09:22 AM.
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Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
The way I have it set you have to loosen the tire lugs to remove the jack. You do not have to completely remove the tire. This makes the jack more secure but a little longer to access.
