Has anyone installed and used an AEV tire carrier with an aftermarket rear bumper other than the AEV rear bumper? If so would you share some photos? Information about what bumpers will absolutely will not work would be helpful as well. (For example, ABC Bumper bolts to the frame in the same place that the AEV tire carrier does.)

Long story short, I already have an AEV tire carrier installed with our MOPAR '14 X Package rear bumper (which was designed to accept the carrier). I'm looking for possible bumper replacements that require minimal modification to the new bumper to work with the tire carrier, i.e. drilling a hole for the tire carrier is not big deal but having to completely re-design and modify the bumper's mounting hardware is not worth it. I'll also answer the obvious question, "why not just get the AEV bumper?"

Two reasons. First, the AEV bumper design has the same issue that the factory bumpers have. They wrap the rear of the Jeep and are a limiting factor in up travel in the rear wheel well. Second, I don't want a high maintenance item to deal with (water tanks.)

 

Why not just pull the caps on the rear X bumper? Just pop the few points and remove the plastic portions and you should be good to go and are more flush with the rear rather than wrapped. Should be plenty of room and save some cash.

Puts clearance on par with almost all full width rears as seen here. Not mine but....

 

^^^exactly what he said. Looks better too. Especially if you trim your fenders or get flat fenders.

 

I took one end cap off and for some reason it just didn't look right so I put it back on. Maybe a bit of black paint or rattle can bed liner to cover some of the exposed bolts/body panel might work. I have to go for a high WAF because it's her Jeep!

I have to say also, those factory bumpers are rather impressive and solid. I came down off a rock yesterday and landed right on the passenger side corner with some authority and it barely left scratch!