Alright guys i just bought a full sized spare off of craigslist and got one heck of a deal. I don't like the weight of the tire on the stock tailgate already but don't have the money to be spending 600+ just for a tire carrier. I already have an XRC bumper i got used for $75 that has the post for the tire carrier. I can buy the tire carrier part itself for $200.

So heres what i was thinking or wanting to do. Cutting off or removing the handle part and capping it off. Then taking a link and attaching it to the backside of the tire carrier and to the tailgate like other bumpers out there. Main purpose would be so i dont have to deal with the crappy bilt handle/tire carrier adjustments as my buddy has the SRC tire carrier. Smittybilt tries to say how you can adjust it to make it easier to open and close but thats not the case. Plus the bracket on the bumper sit sooo close to the body of the Jeep i have seen/heard numerous times how the handle after closing it completely will put the license plate and dent the body.

My only concern is what do you guys think about the tire carrier itself sagging on the left side sense it wont be sitting inside a bracket and no handle? I know the 2 bolts should hold the entire carrier fairly well but wanted opinions as this was my only concern.




Picture to show what i would take off.



Using this type of linkage that Rugged Ridge sells




Thoughts?

 

What size spare? I have that tire carrier, and I'm not sure if I would trust all of that weight on the hinge side. I have 37s though. As far as the top picture goes; I found that that handle is much harder to use than the round one. Also, it looks like there is a bracket missing around that rubber boot, which holds everything tight once the powder coat wears and makes the handle easier to turn. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I've never had a problem with mine being too close to the body. Might have something to do with that missing bracket. Not sure on that one though.

 

I am only running 35s at the moment. As for the weight distribution i was thinking about making a post or something for the carrier to kind of rest on when fully closed so the weight is not all on the hinge side. I only have the bottom portion of the bumper right now but would have to order the tire carrier itself. You might be lucky with it not hitting the body on the handle side when fully closed because i have seen 2 in person that are hitting the license plate and denting them towards the body just to fully close. Another issue one of my friends is having is the handle going into the bracket. We almost have to put all of our weight down on the bumper to get it to close because the adjustments ain't doing crap. Then again this was during the install and not sure if the weight of his 33 inch tire will make it sag any.

 

I just went ahead and bought the dang tire carrier. It was only $220 so im only $300 total so far in this XRC bumper/tire carrier combo. Ill figure something out and post results then.

 

Any results with the RR Linkage kit? Rugged Ridge Wrangler Tire Carrier Linkage Kit for XHD Rear Bumper 11503.91 (07-14 Wrangler JK) - Free Shipping

 

Been so busy with work and getting ready for my Hawaii vacation that i havent done anything with the rear bumper. I will eventually but its not something that is on the top of my list at the moment. Im dropping my Jeep off to have my gears done and some other work on the rear while on vaca so im more worried about that. Ill get to it on day haha