Biggest wheel/tire to fit on stock tire carrier?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Biggest wheel/tire to fit on stock tire carrier?
Can I get by with a 33x12.5 tire on the stock carrier or would I need a spacer? Most likely the tire will be mounted on a 17x9 or 18x9 wheel. I've tried a search and I am not having much luck finding my answer (unless I suck at that thar searchering.) 
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Thanks, Hoss. 
Sounds like it should fit, but I'll have to pick up a set of Daystar tail gate stops in case the wheel offset causes any issues.
Originally Posted by FAQ
Q: Will a 33" tire fit on the factory spare tire mount without causing any warping or damage to the tailgate or mount?
A: You should be just fine with a 33" spare tire especially if the sidewalls of it is making good contact with the rubber isolators on the tailgate. The isolators will help prevent the jiggling of the tire and that is ultimately what will cause you problems down the road.
A: You should be just fine with a 33" spare tire especially if the sidewalls of it is making good contact with the rubber isolators on the tailgate. The isolators will help prevent the jiggling of the tire and that is ultimately what will cause you problems down the road.
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 592
Likes: 6
From: Auburn, Alabama
Backspacing aside, you should really consider this as a short-term solution. I made the mistake of mounting my 35 x 12.5 spare tire (17 x 9 wheel) on my tailgate, using an adapter, and two months later I have CRAZY rattling, squeaking, etc., from the rear. I had the spare taken off literally 3 hours ago ... and the sounds went away. I bit the bullet and ordered the LOD Gen 2 rear bumper w/ tire carrier, which was the *real* answer to begin with!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Saint Augustine, FL
I'm going to bump my own thread since the new wheels/tires are currently on a UPS truck and I am still not sure if the spare will fit with the stock carrier configuration (width, not height).
According to my research...
Stock JK Wheel/tire: 255/75/17, 7.5" wheel w/ 44+ backspacing
New Wheel/tire: 325/60/18, 9" wheel w/ 10+ backspacing
If my calculations are correct, the inside of the new wheel will give me 15mm more clearance. The new tire is 70mm wider overall, so I am losing 35mm of clearance with the tire. The net clearance change will be a loss of 20mm.
20mm is just over 0.75" of inside clearance lost, yet there's maybe 1/2" of clearance currently between the 3rd brake light bracket and stock tire. It's close, but will this work with some elbow grease or do I need to purchase a different 3rd brake light bracket?
According to my research...
Stock JK Wheel/tire: 255/75/17, 7.5" wheel w/ 44+ backspacing
New Wheel/tire: 325/60/18, 9" wheel w/ 10+ backspacing
If my calculations are correct, the inside of the new wheel will give me 15mm more clearance. The new tire is 70mm wider overall, so I am losing 35mm of clearance with the tire. The net clearance change will be a loss of 20mm.
20mm is just over 0.75" of inside clearance lost, yet there's maybe 1/2" of clearance currently between the 3rd brake light bracket and stock tire. It's close, but will this work with some elbow grease or do I need to purchase a different 3rd brake light bracket?
