Wrangler TJ question. Does anyone know if the spare tire carrier is different or if the spare tire rubber bumpers are different between the sport and rubicons? I upgraded from the stock sport rims to the rubicon Moab rims but the spacing is different and there’s a significant space between the tire and the rubber bumpers.
Stock spare tire carrier
- Thread starter leedemps
- Start date
Sounds like the bumpers must be thicker for Rubis. That being said, different wheels will have different backspacing causing the bumpers to no longer snug up to the spare tire. It is a very easy fix. Measure the gap, make some spacers (PVC pipe is the cheapest route) and get some longer bolts and you are good.
I don't think it was a Rubicon thing, but there were 2 different lengths.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/spare-tire-bumper-wrangler-yj-tj
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/spare-tire-bumper-wrangler-yj-tj
Time for a thread resurrection...
Don't know why it took me this long (about 2 years) to go looking to see if there was a difference in the spare tire mount or the bumpers, but I ended up putting a set of 5 Ravine wheels and 32x11.50x15s on my Rubicon and they (Les Schwab) had to put a hub spacer on the spare tire carrier to be able to bolt the Ravine to the carrier. So I guess it might be prudent to measure the rubber tire bumpers to see if they are, in fact, the differing factor. If so I might just have to order a set of the shorter ones so I can ditch the spacer.
I do have a gap between the bumpers and the tire now.
Better to shorten the snubbers (than space the wheel out) to keep the weight closer.
Yeah unfortunately they didn't want to cut them and I was kind of laid up with some physical limitations. Now that I know they made 2 different lengths, since I have the stock Moab wheels I'll do a little measuring and make sure that is the only difference and order a set for the 32s and Ravines. and keep the stock ones for the Moabs in the summer time. I have the 32s studded an siped for winter.
Time for a thread resurrection...
Don't know why it took me this long (about 2 years) to go looking to see if there was a difference in the spare tire mount or the bumpers, but I ended up putting a set of 5 Ravine wheels and 32x11.50x15s on my Rubicon and they (Les Schwab) had to put a hub spacer on the spare tire carrier to be able to bolt the Ravine to the carrier. So I guess it might be prudent to measure the rubber tire bumpers to see if they are, in fact, the differing factor. If so I might just have to order a set of the shorter ones so I can ditch the spacer.
I do have a gap between the bumpers and the tire now.
How big is the gap, and how thick is the spacer?
The difference between the Quadratec ones above is .23".
I would remove the spacer, remove the bumpers, and see where you are at.
My setup is different, but I just went through the whole get the bumpers the right length thing
How big is the gap, and how thick is the spacer?
The difference between the Quadratec ones above is .23".
I would remove the spacer, remove the bumpers, and see where you are at.
My setup is different, but I just went through the whole get the bumpers the right length thing
I went out and checked right before I made that post and the gap is a half inch or less couldn't get the tip of my finger between the tire and the bumper. As for the thickness of the spacer.... good question I think it barely covers the original studs on the carrier. Between the extra width of the tires and the spacer I'm guessing I'll have to buy the shorter bumpers and probably have to do a little shaving to get everything to set correctly.
With my tire on touching the spacers, unbolted to the mount, I have at least .5" between the carrier and the wheel.
I don't know what it was stock, but you want some interference or compression for the bumpers to do their job.
I don't know what it was stock, but you want some interference or compression for the bumpers to do their job.
When I purchased my LJ about 20 months ago, I needed to do a bit of work to get it through Maryland's mechanical safety inspection, mostly getting the wheels and tires covered as they were sticking out beyond the flares a good 3-4 inches (the PO installed aftermarket wheels). I snagged a set of Ravines and had the KO2's remounted. Even on a factory rim with a slightly larger than factory tire (though I think Rubi's came with 31's), I probably had about the same 0.5" you noted. I ended up sculpting the face of the bumpers with a grinder while mounted to suit the new setup.
I was thinking about a 1/4" deflection in the rubber of the tire at the same pressure I run on the street would be good. I think that's about the same as what the factory tire size was sitting at.
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