Bulletproof swing out tire carrier

bpowell67

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Apr 29, 2020
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Virginia
Just curious if there are any bulletproof bumper rear tire carriers still being used out there? Mine has held up great for about 20 years, but now it's time for some restoration. Has anyone rebuilt or replaced a spindle type hinge? Mine is so tight now it can barely be moved. It appears to be pressed into the bumper itself and welded at bottom to keep from spinning. How do you get that out? Grind the weld and beat it out? I just didn't want to do more damage. Thanks for any input!!
 
I had a bulletproof bumper and carrier on my last TJ. I had the same problem with the swing out getting practically immobile. Enough the boss has said she doesn't want a carrier on this jeep because she couldn't move it. It didn't even need to be latched. As you know, there is no grease fitting so no real way to lubricate it. Oils, sprays, and I tried to loosen up the top nut to free it up some, but it didn't help. If I remember correctly the swing out is supposed to use a big bronze bushing on the spindle. It really is a bad design for how well everything else is with the bumper. I think you would need to separate the 2 pieces to see what you have to work with to modify. If you start with removing the top nut or possibly cutting the top of the box free and pressing the carrier to see if you get any movement. I bet it will take a lot. It would probably best to remove the bumper and try getting it in a press right next to the hinge. I suggest starting with the topside due to what ever changes you would make would need start there. Maybe cut the top support free and grind the bottom to drive the shaft free. I planned if I had to tackle it I would see if I could use the existing shaft and change it over to bearings. Make it greaseable and serviceable. Hope it helps. Good luck.
 
Tight is better than the typical clapped out carriers. Add a grease fitting to your existing carrier, easy enough solution if you can get it freed up enough to take some grease.
 
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I have a swing out tire carrier... original Warn rock crawler bumpers.

I've cleaned it up as specified above and it's working great.

But in all honesty I think i'd order reinforced hinges and source a tire carrier and get it back on the door.

-Mac
 
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Just curious if there are any bulletproof bumper rear tire carriers still being used out there? Mine has held up great for about 20 years, but now it's time for some restoration. Has anyone rebuilt or replaced a spindle type hinge? Mine is so tight now it can barely be moved. It appears to be pressed into the bumper itself and welded at bottom to keep from spinning. How do you get that out? Grind the weld and beat it out? I just didn't want to do more damage. Thanks for any input!!

Can you fab and weld? Post up some pics of your carrier. If you like the design and it works for you, it may be worth replacing the spindle, perhaps with a heavier unit.

And if you like to swing both ways, you could do one of these...


Jeep - 14 Bolt 45 (47).JPG
 
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I have a DirtWerks bumper/tire carrier. Overall it’s good and solid. The main weakness is the mechanism that holds down the carrier. It sucks big time. It has come lose more than once in the few miles I’ve put on. It only needs to move a 1/4” and it will release. I plan on adding a safety cable in the future. What ever you get pay attention to how the carrier is retained and that it is greasable.

7D8B90FF-61C8-462F-A655-C0C59EB9935D.jpeg


CA658D0F-536B-4DDC-BD06-AC9691C65F1F.jpeg
 
I have a DirtWerks bumper/tire carrier. Overall it’s good and solid. The main weakness is the mechanism that holds down the carrier. It sucks big time. It has come lose more than once in the few miles I’ve put on. It only needs to move a 1/4” and it will release. I plan on adding a safety cable in the future. What ever you get pay attention to how the carrier is retained and that it is greasable.

View attachment 410541

View attachment 410542

Make sure it is adjusted tight. It should take some effort to open that latch.
 
I dug up an old pic so everyone unfamiliar with the Bulletproof bumpers can see what he is working with and how the carrier attaches.

MVC-362F.JPG
 
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Thank you all for the replies. I'm posting pics here showing what I've tried, which is drilling each side for grease fittings (which I take out and plug because you can't swing the carrier without knocking the zerk off). I'm trying to pump grease in there a little each day and just work it back and forth . Interesting enough it's completely temperature related, cold weather-works ok, warm to hot weather, nearly unmovable.

IMG_20230326_175031.jpg


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Make sure it is adjusted tight. It should take some effort to open that latch.

I did not think of that. Thanks for the idea. I feel like a branch hitting it just right or some asshole will just release it. I’ve had people play with my trailer hitches before so I always check when I get back after leaving the vehicle. PO gave me 2 extra spares. Still seem like a hokey system compared to the rest of the bumper and carrier.