IM sure its been asked before but any horror stories about putting at 35" tire on the stock spare tire carrier? do u guys think its capable of carrying the 35"? I really dont wanna buy a while new bumper with the tire carrier ....maybe any other solutions?

 

Yes, topic discussed since 2007. A few got lucky with no damage for a year or two. Others had popped rivets and damaged hinges in no time. Cost of carrier from $400~$1500. Cost of replacing tailgate ~$1500 and doesn't solve the problem.

 

Its not easy to find, but there have been a ton of questions like this, the factory tailgate hinges will likely start to droop/crack over time.

i went with the Ace rear bumper & tire carrier...I chose this one because the tire carrier carries all the weight on down to where it goes into the bumper, and it all just opens and closes with the tailgate.

matthew

 

I was interested in this too. My friend just put 35's on his Jeep and was planning on mounting the spare to his stock carrier. I was wondering if it would hold up. Sounds like he would be better off getting an appropriate carrier.

 

I have replaced a lot of stuff now, and I almost always keep the take off's just in case, the factory tire carrier weighed very little, and don't get me started on how pathetic the factory bumpers were!

matthew

 

I would like to see a picture of a JK hinge failure. While I've read that the hinge will fail several times I have yet to see a single picture of one in person that has failed.

This was an issue on earlier models but the JK has vastly more structure for the hinge. In fact, several aftermarket carriers use this structure to mount their carrier.

The spot weld failure is a real issue but is also usually brought on by running a higher backspacing wheel the no longer touches the rubber isolators. Since nothing is controlling the "wiggle", It causes the failure.

FWIW, I know two guys that have been running 37s on the stock carrier since 08 & 09' and have yet to have an issue. But they control the "wiggle". One just with Daystar extended bumps, and one has a hitch mounted contraption and extended bumps. On the flip side I've seen spot weeks fail in weeks after running a 34 and not controlling the wiggle.

Also, the gate can be purchased for about $250-$300. Paint should run no more than the same. If someone paid $1500 they got taken.

 

When I had 33s with a 4"bs wheel I made extended bumper things to control the wiggle, still the tailgate began making an awful sound in a few weeks. I got the TF adjustable mount and that pulled the tire to the tailgate, but the noise stayed. I then got the TF hinge to go with the mount and the noise completely disappeared. I also personally saw one tailgate with hinges so worn that you could move the whole spare and tailgate up and down an Inch or so by lifting up on the tire. And that was a stock wheel with a 35.

 

I wouldn't/didn't risk it... I'm running AEV Pintlers with Trail Grapplers - they're a heavy tire, so I decided to run without the spare until I recently purchased AEV's rear tire carrier. Now I'm waiting for some snow to melt so I can install it.

 

A customer from the shop I work at just put 20's and 35's on his 2013 Rubicon about 4 months ago. Street driving only. It had lasted until a week ago. He said it is really "bouncing around". I laughed and said that was why I suggested a better tire carrier back in October. He didn't want to pay more. He thought the lift, tires, wheels, steps, and bushwackers were enough to spend back then. Now his tail gate hinges are f-ed up. And he is buying new bumpers and tire carrier. As for the tire mount? He used the stock carrier with a generic looking rugged ridge spacer. I think it was rugged ridge. Might have been some generic shit. I'm not really sure. I do all the electronics where I work. Stereos, lights, etc. we have dedicated wheel tire guys, and others, so I really don't pay too much attention to what they are doing. I know about the Jeep because they come to me about his jeep when he comes in. I tell them what I think is best, then they (other employees and customer) do what they want anyway. So short story? A heavy three piece 20" wheel with Nitto Mud Terrains in 35x12.50x20 is way too heavy for a stock carrier. The hinges are so worn on his new Jeep that he has to lift the tire/tailgate to close it. It sags about an inch when it opens.

 

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones..... I've had a 35" Mickey Thompson on mine with a Mickey rim for 3 yrs now and in winter a 35" Duratrac on a steel rim and a lot of offroading... Including rock climbs.... and no squeaks or anything. That said my Genright aluminum tire carrier gets installed next Monday and my 37" MTR's go on this spring