This is the Hanson tire carrier I found online. Does anyone on this forum have experience with it, or know someone that has? Do you think it would really make any kind of difference for holding a 35" spare?

Thanks

 

looks like it would since it has more points of contact with the body

 

for that money you can get a tire carrier and bumper from rancho

 

i have seen it in person and while it did work, i don't think hanson makes it anymore as the bumper tire carrier is the better way to go.

 

like WOL said, upgrade to the full bumper/tire carrier combo

 

Full bumper and carrier is the only way to go.

 

I was hoping just to make the factory carrier work somehow since I don't have spare cash. Does anyone have an idea how to reinforce the stock tailgate? Otherwise I'll probably get the Rancho carrier. Has anyone modified their Rancho carrier? I'll probably modify it and then have it sprayed with LINE-X.

 

unless you get a full bumper/tire carrier, i'd just stick with the stock one. it works for a while, i ran the stock one for over 1 year on my 1st jk with 35" on the back and for almost a year on my 2nd JK with a 35" both had steel rims, so they were mad heavy. it never sagged or rattled. the stock hinges are stronger then you think. but over time i'm sure they would start to sag or rattle or something.

 

I ordered the MBRP spare reinforcing kit to get me by untill I get the cash for a better tire carrier, or when the weather gets nice maybe I'll fab up my own. This should work for now and the price is right.

 

I thought about the MBRP kit, but I don't like the little clamps they use instead of nuts. I think the clamps wouldn't be as strong.