I'm looking for an easy quick fix to fit a 35' tire on the tire carrier without hitting be rear bumper. Would one of these cheap-o spacers work? Any other ideas?

 

If your backspacing on your wheels is 4.5" you should be able to get your tailgate shut just fine. The tire resting on the bumper isn't a bad thing, keeps it from vibrating and helps support the extra weight. If you want it off there and it is close, just get a handfull of washers, and use 2 on each stud to space it out slightly and you'd be fine. My tire barely touches the bumper. I had a spacer on there and it stuck too far out and started to sag.

 

The spacers work but you have to remember the hinges are not designed for the weight of a 35" tire. Also the stock carrier is just attached to the sheet metal which is, once again, not designed for the weight., that being said alot of people are using the $50 spacers and are happy with them.

 

Mine hits my rear bumper, but I like that because it makes me think the bumper is supporting a portion of the weight of the tire.

 

I initially bought the Teraflex spacer thingy, which worked great. Eventually though, the weight mixed with HORRIBLE roads led to the thing rattling around like nobody's business... (It started tearing up the tailgate).
My solution was to take off the rear bumper and use a sawzall to cut a sort of wedge into it... all the way around the indention meant for the tire. I didn't cut a piece off, just cut into it. Now, the tire presses down on that portion when the door is shut... and having it "hinged" like that puts a slight upward pressure on the tire, helping to alleviate some weight issues. I think it's better to do it this way to create a little bit of "spring" room rather than have the tire touching the bumper firmly... I'd heard some talk about that potentially tearing things up because it involves something on the body touching something on the frame which could cause issues if the two are flexed differently... I don't know how valid that is, but I like my solution just fine.
It'll certainly do alright until AEV releases their rear bumper/tire carrier.

 

i got the spacer, and its killing my tailgate. the inside is all screwd up! I syggest a heavier duty tire carrier.

 

Body Lift or new bumper or new bumper with tire carrier
The spacers are going to increase the torque and stress the tailgate.

 

4.5" backspacing

 

I used a 5/16 inch spacer from napa, cost 3 bucks, works great the tire just touches the bumper (17x9, 5 inch backspace)

 

I did this for just a short time and realized that the 35 incher was gonna kill my tailgate, especially offroad.

I bought a rear bumper/tire carrier. In the end, I'm afraid, it's the only real solution.