Mount 38" spare in the tub

Mach4x4

Mach4x4

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2021
Messages
50
Location
Sparta, NJ
Hello all,

Loving my new 38s, Jeep is rocking and rolling, got it out at Rausch last week and had a great time.

I decided to delete my spare. I can really feel the difference.

I want to keep it in the tub when I'm wheeling but I'm considering some kind of mount in the tub rather than just strapping it down. I think it might be a bit more effective use of space. Does anyone know of, or has anyone fabricated a "quick remove" spare mount for the tub? I want to be able to throw the rear seat in for my kids once in a while, but yet have a solid mounting point that possibly keeps the spare in a space-efficient position in the back, possibly leaning up at an angle against the wheel wells so I can still stuff my supplies in under the wheel from the back. I'm sort of envisioning a slotted tab mount with quick release pins that would allow the mount to come out and the remaining attach points not interfere with the rear seat. Anyone ever heard of something like this? Maybe I'm making something simple too complicated (wouldn't be the first time, LOL) but I'd really like to have it mounted in a way that lets me keep as much space as possible when I'm wheeling.

For day to day I don't plan to carry the spare. I have plug kit for daily driving.

tj-front.jpg


tj-rear.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fouledplugs
Mach4x4 said:
Hello all,

Loving my new 38s, Jeep is rocking and rolling, got it out at Rausch last week and had a great time.

I decided to delete my spare. I can really feel the difference.

I want to keep it in the tub when I'm wheeling but I'm considering some kind of mount in the tub rather than just strapping it down. I think it might be a bit more effective use of space. Does anyone know of, or has anyone fabricated a "quick remove" spare mount for the tub? I want to be able to throw the rear seat in for my kids once in a while, but yet have a solid mounting point that possibly keeps the spare in a space-efficient position in the back, possibly leaning up at an angle against the wheel wells so I can still stuff my supplies in under the wheel from the back. I'm sort of envisioning a slotted tab mount with quick release pins that would allow the mount to come out and the remaining attach points not interfere with the rear seat. Anyone ever heard of something like this? Maybe I'm making something simple too complicated (wouldn't be the first time, LOL) but I'd really like to have it mounted in a way that lets me keep as much space as possible when I'm wheeling.

For day to day I don't plan to carry the spare. I have plug kit for daily driving.

View attachment 248341

View attachment 248342
Click to expand...
I used the stock spare tire carrier and bolted it into the tub. Used the factory rear seatbelt location then drilled 2 new up front and used big grade 8 fender washers underneath. My spare is a 35"...may not work for a 38"
 
Nomaybes brings up a good point, will a 38 even fit in the tub? My 33 spare doesn't have too much room. JCR makes a pre runner style tire carrier, I think the difficult part will be making it removable but solid and safe. Maybe mount some studs in the floor and fasten it with wing nuts? ...but they could get in the way of the seat when you want to use it.

https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/UNI-PTM.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fouledplugs
Man - Sparta, NJ - haven't thought about that town in a while... it was my normal gas-stop going up 15 on my way home (I went to Monmouth my freshman year and used to drop a roommate off in Morristown and pick him up on way back).

Anyways - TNT makes something what you're looking for: https://www.tntcustoms.com/jeep_parts/jeep_tj_inner_tire_carrier_97_06_wrangler_tj_lj_tnt_customs

That said, you'll want to physically check fitment first if you haven't done so already. I put a 37" tire back there and it barely - and I mean barely - fit and only way forward and touching the back of the front seats.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Westbrook
Nomaybes said:
I used the stock spare tire carrier and bolted it into the tub. Used the factory rear seatbelt location then drilled 2 new up front and used big grade 8 fender washers underneath. My spare is a 35"...may not work for a 38"
Click to expand...
I think a 38” might be pushing it! I do believe the tailgate opening is right around 34”? Might be able to air it down and get it to go, but I would do a quick test fit before I did anything
 
I've been playing around with an idea to use the bench seat. Strip it down to the frame. weld supports to keep it strong and in the forward position. maybe a strap to reduce the rattling. Its a work in progress I need to put it into CAD.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SvtLdr
I have a friend who took an old rear fold and tumble seat, modded the frame to hold his spare and still clip into the front and rear seat brackets. The modded frame will still tumble forward-there is no backrest, and he cut and welded so that the bottom frame and the rear fold and tumble clips are a single piece. When he doesn't need the spare or he needs the seat, he just puts in the stock rear seat. He also uses that modded frame for other purposes-strapping bags on and that kind of thing.
 
glowell222 said:
I have a friend who took an old rear fold and tumble seat, modded the frame to hold his spare and still clip into the front and rear seat brackets. The modded frame will still tumble forward-there is no backrest, and he cut and welded so that the bottom frame and the rear fold and tumble clips are a single piece. When he doesn't need the spare or he needs the seat, he just puts in the stock rear seat. He also uses that modded frame for other purposes-strapping bags on and that kind of thing.
Click to expand...

Cool idea. Might be something I pursue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: glowell222
Mach4x4 said:
I want to keep it in the tub when I'm wheeling but I'm considering some kind of mount in the tub rather than just strapping it down.
Click to expand...
It really comes down to budget.

Wide Open Design built this for a guy who wanted a spare for his LJ build using their JC chassis.

Fully removable, admittedly, likely not an easy task. Just throwing out ideas to build off of.
40AEDB08-4941-4147-953C-9DAD64D8D16A.jpeg
72560A0A-5FC6-4BAC-816A-D663406BCDE1.jpeg
BBDC4BED-BD33-459A-B377-A23AED03F7B1.jpeg
F92BA393-55F3-4F8E-9269-F73F6774DCF6.jpeg
8F0F983A-078D-42B7-B9C2-F1A9F46A9B96.jpeg
3BEAB21F-49A0-477E-B417-3168E25C89B8.jpeg
38BEF905-5D78-4087-B9E1-1B1FE49D6173.jpeg
C273E0D8-22DC-4B5A-8FCD-9DA472B0E48A.jpeg
B231D060-625F-4616-9F83-C3A4A349F0A8.jpeg
A02D85D9-5B6F-466A-8A4F-88DC539FA069.jpeg
B5510B1A-9278-441C-A17E-9C2F2CBD9EAD.jpeg
92B2EF22-0078-4CBA-A1A0-1F08F27C7BC5.jpeg
C62A149C-69FD-4BDF-997C-37F220B9A176.jpeg
860ED2B0-7299-4CC8-9A13-42DEE7D08EED.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: LieutenantJohnson
Fouledplugs said:
It really comes down to budget.

Wide Open Design built this for a guy who wanted a spare for his LJ build using their JC chassis.

Fully removable, admittedly, likely not an easy task. Just throwing out ideas to build off of.
View attachment 248438View attachment 248439View attachment 248440View attachment 248441View attachment 248442View attachment 248443View attachment 248444View attachment 248445View attachment 248446View attachment 248447View attachment 248448View attachment 248449View attachment 248450View attachment 248451
Click to expand...

This looks nice but puts the weight too high up IMO, not to mention it's right behind your head.
 
OldGloryLJ said:
This looks nice but puts the weight too high up IMO, not to mention it's right behind your head.
Click to expand...
Agreed, it’s placement and the weight of the mounted tire and wheel will play a role on the suspension. But I would also point out that he isnt going daily with it as he stated in his OP.

If a 38” tire wont fit (I havent measured) in-between the tub’s inner fenders, only place it can go is above them.

One could use chromoly tubing with thinner wall ID to shed some weight.

The tire and wheel is ideally strapped to the 6 outside tie downs. Similarlly to what Kibbietech does on his trophy trucks. It’s actaully what I would use if replicating the perfection posted above. ;) It wont move. Also, if somehow the tire snaps more than 2 of the tie downs or the woven tie down straps, it’s not going between the seat headrest, the rear shoulder roll cage tie in, or the roof.
45102F82-B475-4788-B8FD-C38A130F7E16.jpeg
 
Back in 2010 Rokmen Offroad built this simple mount that’s easily removable to keep a 40” spare upright in the back of the tub.
D0DB81DE-573D-438B-91F5-D97A0F2DB1F6.jpeg
D4BEB856-DC78-4E64-A086-7C2792D157ED.jpeg
65186DCD-A8BF-4CCD-87FE-1E2187658023.jpeg
B7EA5DEA-0158-4F96-B63F-B34374051B9B.jpeg
A164FF9C-371F-4696-8C2D-DEC2EE455C94.jpeg


These old photos make me wonder when exactly did Walker Evans chose to go to China to have their wheels cast and machined. Clearly cast into the back of the 17” beadlock is “Made in China.”
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom
Back