XRC Bumper / spare tire modified HELP
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 18
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From: West Virginia
XRC Bumper / spare tire modified HELP
I have a Smittybilt XRC bumper with tire carrier. The latch handle has been removed and a Rugged Ridge Tire Carrier Linkage Kit for XHD Rear Bumper was installed. The problem I’m having is the rattle & lack of support for the swing arm.
I’ve been racking my brain for an inexpensive way to fix the problem. In the meantime I have placed a small block of wood between the bumper and the tire carrier arm and it works perfectly except it’s wood 😂 and it’s a bear to open & close the door. i was thinking of something made from Delrin that was ramped so it would slide good when closing bolted to the swing arm...
I searched the forums but didn’t come up with any solutions. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I’ve been racking my brain for an inexpensive way to fix the problem. In the meantime I have placed a small block of wood between the bumper and the tire carrier arm and it works perfectly except it’s wood 😂 and it’s a bear to open & close the door. i was thinking of something made from Delrin that was ramped so it would slide good when closing bolted to the swing arm...
I searched the forums but didn’t come up with any solutions. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Last edited by SeptemberC; May 29, 2018 at 07:53 PM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 218
From: Over the hill
Here's some thoughts: Looks like you could find a piece of nylon or UHMW plastic about the same size as the wood, and bevel the leading edge so it's like a ramp. Maybe make it a bit wider than the wood so the ramp portion is longer, making it easier to close the tire carrier. Some silicone adhesive might hold it in place, but flat-head screws counter sunk below the plastic surface may be necessary.
Another option is to find someone with the same/similar setup and see if there is something wrong with it. Sometimes it's best to re-design (like adding the wood or plastic), but sometimes there's just something wrong with a part or installation.
Another option is to find someone with the same/similar setup and see if there is something wrong with it. Sometimes it's best to re-design (like adding the wood or plastic), but sometimes there's just something wrong with a part or installation.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: West Virginia
There’s nothing wrong with it. Previous owner removed the handle.
I have contacted a guy that has some Delrin block scraps. He’s gonna send me a few. I was thinking about bolting to the swing arm with counter sunk bolts and chamfer the leading edge. I was thinking the smaller the better but you think it needs to be wider? Right to left?
I have contacted a guy that has some Delrin block scraps. He’s gonna send me a few. I was thinking about bolting to the swing arm with counter sunk bolts and chamfer the leading edge. I was thinking the smaller the better but you think it needs to be wider? Right to left?
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 218
From: Over the hill
Wider, as in extending further rearward. The thought was making a longer ramp, cutting/sanding a shallow bevel with less slope for it to ride up. Bolting to the swing arm sounds good too, anything that takes up the play and gives it a ramp to ease it into position. Delrin should work well.
Last edited by Mr.T; May 26, 2018 at 05:25 PM.
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JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
have you adjusted it up as much as you could? When you swing it out, you see two bolts on the inside portion of the spindle (passenger side). Tightening the UPPER bolt raises the driver's side a bit. That is how you previously aligned those to get the handle to pass perfectly through the bracket. Also, have you considered calling smittybilt and seeing if they'd help you out with a new handle? Tell them you bought your jeep used with this bumper, and you really "love" the bumper and tires carrier, but the previous owner removed the handle for some reason. THey might just offer to send you one. They have pretty good customer service.