Is the stock tire carrier robust enough for smaller tires?

[abruzzi]

I just bought a 2006 Wrangler Sport, and I'm starting off fixing the various issues it has. The rear bumper is bent in and deformed, so I figured that a new bumper is one of the first things on the list. I'd also like a hitch receiver in case I need to tow a light trailer. The question is should I get one with a tire carrier to replace the stock tire carrier? Right now the truck has 30x9.5s on it, and I don't see this vehicle going large, so maybe, when these tires wear out I might go to 31s, but I don't see 33s in my future.

The question is this--is the stock tire carrier robust enough for these smaller tires, or should I be looking for a upgrade?

Also, being new to the Jeep world (mostly been driving Landcruisers before this truck) there are a lot of aftermarket brands out there that I have no experience with. Any that are just too cheap? Design-wise, I've liked these:

SmittyBilt SRC: https://www.extremeterrain.com/smittybilt-src-classic-w-tj-yj-76750d.html
Barricade Classic: https://www.extremeterrain.com/barricade-classic-rear-bumper-8706.html

These are way cheaper than the $2500 rear bumper I put on my 80 (paid for by the local irrigation district when one of them rear-ended me, but then doing a repair of the stock bumper would have cost almost that much.)

 

[dbbd1]

You're fine up to 33's on the stock spare carrier.
Just make sure that your snubbers (the black rubber bumpers) fit properly snug against the spare tire.

 

[EzPeezy]

If you can be happy without one, you should avoid the swing-out. With that sized tire you'll be fine using the stock carrier. You won't have an extra part to get out of the way to open the rear, and it's nice to have less weight out behind the Jeep.

 

[abruzzi]

If you can be happy without one, you should avoid the swing-out. With that sized tire you'll be fine using the stock carrier. You won't have an extra part to get out of the way to open the rear, and it's nice to have less weight out behind the Jeep.

yeah, i noticed some of the more expensive rear bumpers looked like the swingaway attached to the rear gate, to allow easy opening, but the number one reason to avoid the cheaper ones is to make rear access easier. my Landcruiser FZJ80 has a dual swing away rear bumper which makes rear access a hassle.

My freind offered me his 17" rims taken off a 2011 JKU. If I take them and get new tires (a ways down the road, the current BFGs are barely worn) then I'll have to find a size that is close to 31x10.5, I'm thinking 265/70R17.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

You're fine up to 33's on the stock spare carrier.
Just make sure that your snubbers (the black rubber bumpers) fit properly snug against the spare tire.

Even with extended snubbers to prevent spare tire wiggle my OE factory carrier cracked/failed a month or two after mounting a 33x12.5 tire on an aluminum wheel onto it.

 

[JDS123]

My stock spare tire carrier was not happy with a 33 on it either. I had to take the tire off after my first off-road trip to Moab and get another solution. The stock tire carriers on Jeeps don't seem to do that great with tires much larger than stock. While not a direct comparison, the tire carrier on my Dad's completely stock JKU Sahara had a large crack running down it with just a stock tire on for the entirety of it's existence.

 

[abruzzi]

As I mentioned I'm currently running 30x9.5 BFGs, so I'm not too worried about that. What i didn't mention is my truck currently has stock Jeep steelies, which I'm assuming are actually heavier than stock aluminum wheels? If I upgrade to a larger size, it will almost definitely be using the 2011 JK 17" rims my friend offered me (I know I will need spacers/bolt adapters to run them). I don't plan to go real large, so 255x70R17 or something similar. I'm hoping the ~10lb increase in tire weight might be offset by a reduction in rim weight, but I haven't found an actual comparison of wheel weights. Anyone know where I can find that info (specifically 2006 15" steelies vs. 2011 17" aluminum)?

 

[Chris]

You're fine up to 33's on the stock spare carrier.
Just make sure that your snubbers (the black rubber bumpers) fit properly snug against the spare tire.

X2

 

[TWiG01]

Even with extended snubbers to prevent spare tire wiggle my OE factory carrier cracked/failed a month or two after mounting a 33x12.5 tire on an aluminum wheel onto it.

X2, my top hinge is screwed up from a few months of having a 33x12.5 MT/R on it.

 

[Lo-Kei]

Hi all, I recently installed 33"s including spare using 15x8 wheel. My local 4x4 shop suggested the Rough Country Spare Tire Carrier Spacer. It increased outwards profile by 2.5". Not sure about height, maybe 2"? Seems like a lot of unused space between bump stops and back of tire. Can't help thinking about closing this gap as opposed to extending stops.

 

[Lo-Kei]

X2, my top hinge is screwed up from a few months of having a 33x12.5 MT/R on it.

This is my fear as well. In my case, the combination of adding heavier tire and additional distance away from tailgate creates new leverage and stress.

 

[rjinaz86323]

Don't have pics but welded/reinforced all the welds on the factory tire carrier instead of the standard method (basically a few spot welds). Made a couple of reinforcements (similar to what MORryde does) that I think will solve this problem. Created a brace tying into the roll bar to add additional strength to the upper hinge.

Drilled out the center bolt hole fro the tire carrier to run a bolt through and added a support on the inside of the tailgate. The 2 outside screws are just to keep the plate from rotating. I may redo this as the flatiron was just a piece in my scrap pile, so it has a couple of un-needed holes.

Make sure your rubber snubbers are tight against your tire to avoid unwanted movement which will eventually start cracking the tire carrier. My tire doesn't move, and I am not having to deal with my old swing out carrier. I am running 33x12.50x15 KO2's. Plus I can actually see out my back window.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Hi all, I recently installed 33"s including spare using 15x8 wheel. My local 4x4 shop suggested the Rough Country Spare Tire Carrier Spacer. It increased outwards profile by 2.5". Not sure about height, maybe 2"? Seems like a lot of unused space between bump stops and back of tire. Can't help thinking about closing this gap as opposed to extending stops.

View attachment 199980

View attachment 199981

I'm assuming you did this because the new tire was hitting the snubbers too soon and you could not bolt up the wheel. When I bought my TJ the PO had installed a wheel spacer that gave just enough room for the wheel to bolt up and the tire to rest on the rear bumper. Worked very well.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Hi all, I recently installed 33"s including spare using 15x8 wheel. My local 4x4 shop suggested the Rough Country Spare Tire Carrier Spacer. It increased outwards profile by 2.5". Not sure about height, maybe 2"? Seems like a lot of unused space between bump stops and back of tire. Can't help thinking about closing this gap as opposed to extending stops.

View attachment 199980

View attachment 199981

Spare tire spacers like that are bad news, all they do is increase the tire's leverage against the factory mount. Like going from a 1/4" drive ratchet wrench to tighten a small bolt to using a much longer 1/2" drive ratchet wrench to tighten it which makes it a LOT easier to snap the bolt. In other words, that extension is giving too much leverage against the factory spare tire mount.

 

[Lo-Kei]

I'm assuming you did this because the new tire was hitting the snubbers too soon and you could not bolt up the wheel. When I bought my TJ the PO had installed a wheel spacer that gave just enough room for the wheel to bolt up and the tire to rest on the rear bumper. Worked very well.

It was simpler than that. I asked a question while purchasing tires and sales guy recommended spacer based on his experience. The narrower spacer suggestion may be better for me also. Maybe I will pull it and measure the delta between stock mount and wheel. My guess is no more than 1" is needed.

 

[Lo-Kei]

Spare tire spacers like that are bad news, all they do is increase the tire's leverage against the factory mount. Like going from a 1/4" drive ratchet wrench to tighten a small bolt to using a much longer 1/2" drive ratchet wrench to tighten it which makes it a LOT easier to snap the bolt. In other words, that extension is giving too much leverage against the factory spare tire mount.

Thanks for confirming Jerry. It seemed overkill to me at first glance and questioned it with the shop. They suggested to keep it as it would help provide additional clearance to lift tailgate latch. Will proceed to remove it soon.

 

[Lo-Kei]

Don't have pics but welded/reinforced all the welds on the factory tire carrier instead of the standard method (basically a few spot welds). Made a couple of reinforcements (similar to what MORryde does) that I think will solve this problem. Created a brace tying into the roll bar to add additional strength to the upper hinge.
View attachment 199997View attachment 199998

Drilled out the center bolt hole fro the tire carrier to run a bolt through and added a support on the inside of the tailgate.
View attachment 199999

Make sure your rubber snubbers are tight against your tire to avoid unwanted movement which will eventually start cracking the tire carrier. My tire doesn't move, and I am not having to deal with my old swing out carrier. I am running 33x12.50x15 KO2's. Plus I can actually see out my back window.

Nice mod. Thanks for uploading pics and sharing. Like the simplicity.

 

[Rubicon88]

One thing of note...there are many o many wrangler out there with a rear gate bowing inward. That comes from slamming the gate with the weight of that tire on it (even stock size)
Many people close their gate by grabbing the spare and slamming that thing closed king kong style.

Love thine Jeep

 

[Lo-Kei]

One thing of note...there are many o many wrangler out there with a rear gate bowing inward. That comes from slamming the gate with the weight of that tire on it (even stock size)
Many people close their gate by grabbing the spare and slamming that thing closed king kong style.

Love thine Jeep

Good advice. if it takes more than modest push, then something else may be off.

 

[LONGJP2]

You can also upgrade just the hinges. As they wear, you might notice the tailgate sag, and you'll have to lift it to close.