Hey Everyone,

A recent trip to Rocks & Valleys is going to hasten my purchase of a set of bumpers. My question is this: Do I need the tire carrier option when looking at bumpers? To buy a regular rear bumper and buy a spacer for the spare tire is hundreds ($) less. But when I talk to my Service Advisor, he says a 35" tire or larger of the factory gate may bend or kink the panel on rough terrain.

Has anyone heard of this actually happening? Does anyone have the spacer with larger tires and had any problems? What are your opinions?

Thanks all.

 

The 35" tire will bend the gate. It is Too heavy. Do a search there are specific threads about it.

 

X2. Past threads will reveal all sorts of way to strenghten (more like patch up) the tailgate, but IMO they are all temporary fixes if you go offroad. You can remove the spare inspect the tailgate construction and convince yourself.

 

If mounting a 35" is going to bend the gate you could strengthen such as the other posters recommended or you could invest in a cheaper bumper. I know when I started looking I found plenty of bumpers, only problem is they were all like $700-$900. Not really what I was wanting to spend.

I checked out Quadratec and found this: http://www.quadratec.com/products/12148_200.htm


Nice looking bumper, Tire Carrier, and a place to put your jack. It's on my wish list now

 

I did look at that bumper, and I like that's a good name and about the sweetest price on a bumper/tire carrier combo, but I just don't like the bare bones look back there. That and it looks like it leaves the corners of the body completely exposed. I'm just too picky. I'm going to have to shell out the money, I know it. Would like a Shrockworks, but you gotta be in the Trump family to own one!

 

I saw a fellow jeeper on here that had his tailgate crease because of a 35. So it's not advised. But with that said many do it.

When we initally got 35's we didn't carry a spare except when wheeling, and then we just laid it flat in the back. It fits nicely.

There are also just tire carriers that attache to the factory hinges but provide new tubing to mount to. keep looking around.

 

Just try and pick up a 35" tire and rim. I'm a good sized man and I usually take a breath and a few seconds before lifting mine up to put on the carrier. Just keep looking you'll find one you like and in several price ranges.... from high to higher.

 

I got the Smittybilt XRC bumper and carrier for $650 shipped to my door. Look for deals online. It's a great bumper. Not a single rattle and it holds up to a 40" tire.

 

I bought the XRC bumper off a member here for $200, didn't have the carrier though, got that from Bustabiz for $200, $400 total for the bumper/carrier total, it pays to look for deals.

 

i was thinking about the smittybilt SRC carrier. cheap-ish and good quality i hear.