Hello all -

Have had 33" XDs mounted since I bought the JK 2 years ago and just recently started to get a rattle - first just for bumps and now its almost consistent, sounding like a screw is jiggling around against metal.

Needless to say, it is driving me insane so I took off the spare last night and oddly enough rattle was completely gone. I assume it maybe a broken weld? I had figured if it was I would still here it even without the spare on?

It is probably time for a carrier anyways. I want to keep the stock bumper and I dont think I need an adjustable as the tire fit just fine before. Since I do not do offroading and dont plan to, is the TF Hinge my best and most economic option? I hadn't planned on needing this so it is an additional expense i'm not looking forward to but I do not want to cause any damage to the tailgate.

Any feedback or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

I was going to suggest the rancho bumper/carrier combo untill reading you wanted to keep your stock bumper.....i think smittybilt makes an oversized carrier that would probably be a good choice and is cheaper than the teraflex hinge. I think a few people on here run it. I think there are a few other options like that one just cant remember which they are. I know quadratech shows quite a few options on their site.

 

It sounds like the hinges are loose open the tailgate and lift it up and down and see if it is that's what happened with mine so I went with the Teraflex tire carrier and I love it good luck

 

thanks I will look at the hinges - can they be tightened?

I wish it still made noise after the tire was off because now I have no idea what was rattling or why. I may put the tire back on and drive around with a buddy in the trunk to try and pinpoint it. this is a huge pain!

 

do the tire carriers that solely mount on the tailgate make a difference? I was under the assumption i would need something that replaces the subpar hinges instead.

 

I have the Smitty tire carrier, runs about $120. I have been running it for around 6 months with no problems. I have a 35" tire on it.

Regarding the rattling: Did you get the extended bump stops? If your factory bump stops don't reach the tire, that will cause rattling.

See: Daystar KJ09144BK - Daystar Tailgate Bump Stops for 07-13 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec

They can be trimmed to fit. If you buy the Smitty carrier, these won't be needed.

 

I'm a fan of the OR-FAB carrier. The only rattle was my Hi-Lift and a bungie cord fixed that. Great tire carrier that lets you keep your stock bumper, but makes you drill a 1 inch hole for a mount under the driver side rear light. The only carrier I know of that doesn't require any modification is the Teraflex.

 

i do have the daystars and moved and never mounted them! need to track those down... what smitty do you have? That helps with rattle?

 

I originally had the oversize Smittybilt tire carrier. The Smittybilt doesn't take the weight off the tailgate. It started creaking, but I'm running a 37" spare. I went with Terraflex now with the Smittybilt modded to fit. Couldn't be more happy.

 

This: Smittybilt 2743 - Smittybilt Oversized Tire Carrier in Black for 07-13 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec

No rattle with a 35". If you get this, you won't need the Daystar bump stops. I want to eventually get a bumper/tire carrier. Mine might eventually rattle from weight. It's been rattle free for 6 months though. I think you'd be fine with a 33". Your rattle is probably caused by never installing the bump stops. Too much movement allowed.

Any pics? I'd love to see what you had to mod. I might end up doing this too since I already have the Smitty and the Teraflex hinge only costs around $400.