I am running Nitto Trail Grapplers 295/70/18 on stock rim, and I am purchasing the spare to match. Will it fit on the stock carrier? Will I need a spare tire relocator kit to fit? (was looking at the Teraflex extension bracket) Anything else I might need? I do not want to damage the tailgate or hinges.

 

Yes you will need a bracket or spacer to move the tire out. I would consider it a short term solution though, due to the weight.

 

You might get away with a single wheel spacer if you can find one cheap. The weight might be an issue if the setup is significantly heavier than the stock BFG M/T on a stock wheel. I read somewhere that weighed in at 73 lbs but I cannot confirm that. My 35x12.5 Fierce Attitude on stock wheels weighs 85 lbs.

 

x2, I had heavy Nitto Terra Grapplers in a 295/70/17 on my stock mount, blew out the gate hinges causing the gate to clunk up and down over the smallest bumps. Using the TeraFlex carrier now, real nice

 

Short term solution would be bigger bump stops for the tire but deff only a short term one. Look into the teraflex one.

 

I have been looking at the Smittybilt Oversize Tire Carrier as an inexpensive solution if I need to change carriers. Cheapest I have seen is around 129.00 (unless someone has seen cheaper). I do not do any heavy off-roading so it is mostly street driven.

 

A 1" wheel spacer will get it out off the bumper. Don't waste your money on those off chamber brackets they are crap and cover the 3rd brake light. Definitely get longer bumpstops, you can make your own or Daystar makes a set. As others have said I'd only run it temporary and check the hinges periodically. You may be able to get a way with it for longer I've read others running this way for years and others that had their tailgate fail. Really depends on what you use your jeep for. If your banging up and down a trail it's more likely to fail then just street driving.

 

Honestly, that won't be much different or better than stock. You want a design that takes the weight off the tailgate and hinges like the Teraflex, or a bumper mounted carrier.

 

I didn't have much luck with the relocation bracket. The Daystar bump stops I got were made from foam and were a total waste. I've been running the Bestop carrier which looks identical to the Smittybuilt. I've been running a 35x12.50 BFG on it for almost a year now without any problems. I'll upgrade bumpers at some point and add a carrier as well but I can't justify shelling out the kind of money Teraflex wants for their carrier.

 

Yea....I don't want to drop 500 for the carrier plus the 300 for the tire, but so goes the Jeep game.