hey yall any ideas on how to make this thing quieter? it rattles if i drive over paint because it the locking mechanism doesnt sit flush and has some wiggle room. any tips on how to fix this? TYIA
Smittybilt classic tire carrier is loud AF
- Thread starter jmo214
- Start date
BoldlyGoing
TJ Addict
I finally trashed mine (aka gave it to some HS kid)
But just wedging a piece between the carrier and tailgate kinda worked.
Your best bet is find another option. That thing is hot garbage. Has it randomly swung open when taking a turn yet? Because that's a fun day.
But just wedging a piece between the carrier and tailgate kinda worked.
Your best bet is find another option. That thing is hot garbage. Has it randomly swung open when taking a turn yet? Because that's a fun day.
OP
no, it hasnt swung out yet. its pretty much brand new so I was thinking I could fix this before the locking mechanism fails.
BoldlyGoing
TJ Addict
no, it hasnt swung out yet. its pretty much brand new so I was thinking I could fix this before the locking mechanism fails.
I'd say that fixed it.
I have an older american made swing out , not dead sure the origin...but I mounted a bed lined aluminum plate to the 4 original spare tire carrier holes with standoffs to distribute the pressure then added some snubbers to the gate ...works well.
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OP
im glad you showed me this. i would hate for that to happen to me and potentially hurt somebody. kinda crazy smittybilt sells things that fall apart easily. ive heard both good and bad things about them but this issue seems too dangerous to ignore
I did use a hitch cargo thing on mine for a 3 hour drive to the mountains one time with probably around 150lbs in it.... before I had read too much on here to trust it lol. Maybe my distrust of the basic bumper is a bit exaggerated but I honestly don’t want to find out what could happen if it let loose with a trailer or cargo basket attached...
I do like how the classic/basic ones look, but...
First off I 100% agree that the Smittybilt is garbage. I fought mine for way too longer before I finally removed it. That said you can control the rattle to some degree but it will just come back. If you open the gate, under the latch mechanism there should be a small black plastic “wedge” with two Allen bolts. You can loosen them and slide the wedge in or out to take up the gap. If the gap is too large you can add washers under the wedge to increase thickness. I would also recommend and decent pin or something in the hole that is in the “lift lever” that you use to latch and unlatch the gate. That will keep the latch locked down and prevent it from flying open.
Here is what I did for a lock pin. The pin is attached with a cable so it didn’t get lost. The pin would go through a hole in the bar that slides up and down in the latch mechanism. Ignore the receiver thing, that was a mod I did when I added a removable rack.
Anyone know what bumpers these are? Someone told me at some point and I forgot, they are heavy and solid. I need to pull the front and refinish it.
It's not that I am particularly proud of it or anything, but I have one. It's been on the Jeep for about five years, holds the tire, swings open and closed with significant effort. Kind of a pain in the ass ....... I found that shimming the lower tire cushion (under the tail gate) out far enough that it requires a solid swing to get it to latch, it wont rattle. If it vibrates enough to rattle it will crack and fail, as will most tail gate tire mounts. If you don't use the pin lock, you will probably experience the latch coming open and tire swinging out while driving. More embarrassing than anything else. I plan on changing it out soon , more to shed some weight than any other reason. Morryde/Exogate maybe ......... Just my experience.... do with what you will
Seriously, I'd remove that extension between the receiver and your spare tire. That gives a the spare tire an ENORMOUS amount of leverage against the receiver that is only welded onto some tubing. Yes I know that means you wouldn't be able to carry the jerry can there. Better that than the receiver eventually being torn off from the tube it is welded to.
Just a personal opinion.
I appreciate the input, never really gave it much consideration. Last summer when I got it I almost ditched the cans. They are extremely noisy banging around.