Fitting a JK spare to a TJ tailgate mount?

[Moab]

I'm wondering if anyone else has run into this fitment issue. And what your solution was?

I'm trying to fit my JK spare (265/70r17) onto my tailgate mount. The installer of my rims and tires could not get it to fit. First because it's the wrong thread pattern. But also because I assume the tire is bigger and wider than the stock spare I had on there.

So I blindly bought another 2" spacer like I had used on the rest of my rims. Thinking that would fix my problem. At least the bolt pattern difference. But I fear that 2" spacer is to thick and will take the spare off of the rubber bumpers. And cause my tail gate hinges to wear badly.

I could measure. And maybe buy the correct adapter/spacer with the perfect width to keep the spare - riding on the rubber bumpers? If anyone has done this and knows the proper adapter/spacer that would work. That would save me alot of time.

I'm going to try to mount the 2" spacer this week. And see if I get lucky. But I'm pretty sure 2" is to much. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Or if you have a more elegant solution. Please let me know.

I guess if there's to much space with the 2" adapter I could build up the rubber bumpers. Does anybody sell ready made thicker rubber bumpers for the tail gate? I'm not really set up at the moment to massage a pair of hockey pucks.

 

[Cornbread]

Eventually I want to do the same to mine. I don't think you screwed up buying the extra adapter/spacer.
Check this out: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...re-tire-on-a-jeep-wrangler-tj-tailgate.10180/

 

[Moab]

Eventually I want to do the same to mine. I don't think you screwed up buying the extra adapter/spacer.
Check this out: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...re-tire-on-a-jeep-wrangler-tj-tailgate.10180/

Thank you so much. Now I remember seeing that thread. I could even cut the donor knobs to length. Now to find some from a Junkyard. I'm not paying $13 each for them on Amazon! MAybe find a used set on ebay.

Thanks again. This is the solution.

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

I have a JK spare on my LJ. I used a 1 1/2" adapter for the spare mount. Instead of extra OEM bumpers, I used hocky pucks shaped on a belt sander. Wear a mask, there was a lot of rubber dust. For longer bolts, I went to Lowes. IIRC, the bolt is a common 5mm thread. If not 5mm, it was a 6mm.

If the tire diameter is too large and touches the bumper, Smittybilt makes an adapter that lifts up and out.

https://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/184.htm

I have a lightly used one I no longer need.

 

[Chris]

I have a JK spare on my TJ tailgate mount. I simply put another wheel adapter on the spare tire mount and it works perfectly.

 

[Moab]

Well this just got more complicated. My adapter/spacer isn't enough to clear the bumper with the spare tire. I think it's 1.5". But I don't think a 2" would clear it either. So I have to find a spacer mount that connects the JK bolt pattern to the TJ bolt pattern. With enough depth to clear the bumper on the bottom of the tire.

The only "one" adapter I can find is this. (It says it's for a JK but the part number cross referenced to other ebay listings and amazon show it works with the TJ and the JK bolt pattern. This one is $35 and the other listings are $45+.):

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=382630862956

It has good and bad reviews on Amazon. But I'm going to give it a shot. As it's the only one I can find.

So I have to add this adapter and add to my rubber stops on the tailgate. I found a set of rubber stops for $15 on ebay. SO $50 total to get my spare back on.

Any ideas for cheaply extending the third brake light up? I'm wondering if there's enough wire to add some spacers to it too?

 

[Moab]

I have a JK spare on my LJ. I used a 1 1/2" adapter for the spare mount. Instead of extra OEM bumpers, I used hocky pucks shaped on a belt sander. Wear a mask, there was a lot of rubber dust. For longer bolts, I went to Lowes. IIRC, the bolt is a common 5mm thread. If not 5mm, it was a 6mm.

If the tire diameter is too large and touches the bumper, Smittybilt makes an adapter that lifts up and out.

https://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/184.htm

I have a lightly used one I no longer need.

GOt another link? I can't find a picture of that part number.

 

[Moab]

I have a JK spare on my TJ tailgate mount. I simply put another wheel adapter on the spare tire mount and it works perfectly.

I wonder why mine doesn't fit? Mine are 17" aren't you on 15 or 16's?

 

[Chris]

I wonder why mine doesn't fit? Mine are 17" aren't you on 15 or 16's?

Mine are 17” JK wheels.

 

[Moab]

Mine are 17” JK wheels.

I just double checked my spacer and it's 1.25" - not 1.5". But it looks like maybe a 2" adapter might work. I don't know about 1.5". How close is your tire to the bumper? Do you remember the tire size on your spare? Mine is 255/70r15 IIRC.

I hate to keep buying spacers. I hate returning stuff. lol.

 

[Chris]

I just double checked my spacer and it's 1.25" - not 1.5". But it looks like maybe a 2" adapter might work. I don't know about 1.5". How close is your tire to the bumper? Do you remember the tire size on your spare? Mine is 255/70r15 IIRC.

I hate to keep buying spacers. I hate returning stuff. lol.

I have a 17x8 wheel with 5.25” backspacing and a 1.25” adapter, which means it’s technically got 4” of backspacing.

The tire size is 35X12.5R17, and it’s sitting about 3” away from my tailgate, which I make up for by extended length rubber bumps.

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

GOt another link? I can't find a picture of that part number.

This is what I was referring to. It does TJ to JK.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/12008_0091.htm

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

My tires are 255/75 17 (32"). With just a spacer, my tire hit the top of the OEM bumper. I bought the Smittybilt spacer/riser. My new bumper has a recess for a larger tire, so I went back to a simple spacer.

 

[Moab]

Chris or anyone else:

One last question. Once I get the tire mounted on the new extended mount. How much extra rubber on the rubber stops should I add to keep the tire secure on the tailgate? Like say if I mount the tire and it's an inch away from the rubber stops - should I add an additional .5" to the rubber stops with my extra rubber stops material? Or a .25"? I wanna make sure I can mount the wheel flush on the mount. (Rather than riding up on the threads.) And then have the rubber bumpers adding secure enough pressure. Without the wheel - not seating fully.

Make sense? I guess if I'm off a bit I could let some air out. But that kind of defeats the purpose of carrying a fully aired up spare. But then again maybe the difference between 50psi and the 26psi I normally run would make enough difference in mounting the spare correctly. I just want it to be a tight enough fit that it doesn't vibrate or bounce and mess up my tail gate hinges.

There is always trial and error. But I would prefer to get some guidance beforehand.

I guess I could also mount it at 26psi. And then if I have to use air to tighten it up I can.

 

[SSTJ]

Hey @Moab

I know this is old, but I just installed some 17" JK rims just like yours. What was your final solution?

 

[Moab]

Hey @Moab

I know this is old, but I just installed some 17" JK rims just like yours. What was your final solution?

Rubber hammers from Harbor Freight. Cut the heads off and cut down to fit. Theyre like 3 bucks each.

 

[SSTJ]

Rubber hammers from Harbor Freight. Cut the heads off and cut down to fit. Theyre like 3 bucks each.

Gotcha, thanks. What'd you use for cutting? Sawzall? I could imagine it might go better with slower strokes and a hack saw?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Gotcha, thanks. What'd you use for cutting? Sawzall? I could imagine it might go better with slower strokes and a hack saw?

Hacksaw might make a straighter cut.

 

[Moab]

Gotcha, thanks. What'd you use for cutting? Sawzall? I could imagine it might go better with slower strokes and a hack saw?

I used a 4 inch cut off wheel on my angle grinder. Everything else took forever.

 

[jimmyd]

Any tailgate sag?