33 spare doesn't fit on OEM tire carrier?

[SteelJeep]

Back in day I had an 03 Sport TJ and ran 33s and then upgraded to 35s. Other than installing a 3rd brake spacer kit I could have swore that both spares tires fit on the OEM tire carrier w/no modifications. In retrospect it wasn't smart, but it is what it is.

I picked up an 04 Sahara last year and recently had a small lift kit installed. I then bought some TJ Moab rims and just had some 285/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac installed on them last week. Yesterday I decided to install the spare 33 tire. I thought all I had to do was to remove the 3rd brake light and install it on the OEM tire carrier, but the tire carrier was a good 1/2 too low to fit (Duratrac is a true 33 inch tire). It didn't matter how I positioned the tire it just wouldn't fit on the tire carrier.

BTW, the 04 Sahara still had the never used OEM 30inch spare tire on it. lol

FWIW, I did buy a MORryle tailgate reinforcement kit, along with a 97-02 rust free tailgate to install it on. Suffice is to say its not going smoothly. I just thought I could install the spare 33 on the back until I got the new tailgate & MORryde installed.

Pic is my old 03 w/35 on stock tire carrier w/stock bumper.

 

[defenderu]

Following I have 33's on the way and a factory spare tire bracket.

 

[SteelJeep]

Now that I'm looking at the pic I'm wondering if a one inch body space was installed in addition to the 4 inch Rubicon Express lift kit that I had installed? I don't remember a body lift, but I suppose it's a possibility. Plus now that I'm thinking about it, I do remember a radiator fan shroud spacer kit being installed. Yeah, my memory sucks.