Do I need a tire carrier?

[CRGR]

33x12.5x15 nitto Terra grapplers. Spare mounted on stock spare tire bracket on 2000 tj sport. Feels 'solid' no wiggle when you try to shake it. Notice when you open the tailgate you have to kind of lift up on it a little to close the tailgate. Driving, it doesn't appear to shake but it does squeak a little. If I keep it will it damage or misalign the tailgate? Hate to spend $500+ on a tire carrier if I don't have to. Thanks all

 

[Bird]

In my opinion, yes you should install an aftermarket carrier. The tailgate " hinges "wasn't designed to support the additional weight.
I have almost the exact same tire 305/70R16 and immediately installed an aftermarket bumper to support the increased weight.
In my state " VA " a third brake light is required, something else to consider.

 

[Rob5589]

That is a big, heavy tire/wheel for the stock carrier. If I were to need one I would likely go the Exogate carrier. Fits in the factory position and you do not need to open two different pieces to get inside the rear.

 

[Chris]

This thread is worth reading:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-do-you-mount-a-32-wheel-to-a-tj-spare-tire-mount.2806/

@mrblaine had some very useful info in there that even I didn't know.

 

[Mike Wood]

33x12.5x15 nitto Terra grapplers. Spare mounted on stock spare tire bracket on 2000 tj sport. Feels 'solid' no wiggle when you try to shake it. Notice when you open the tailgate you have to kind of lift up on it a little to close the tailgate. Driving, it doesn't appear to shake but it does squeak a little. If I keep it will it damage or misalign the tailgate? Hate to spend $500+ on a tire carrier if I don't have to. Thanks all

I just upgraded to 33's x 17 from my stock tires on my 2006 and replaced the spare mount. Was told stock mount would hold it okay, but putting a lot of stress on it.

 

[Serbonze]

33x12.5x15 nitto Terra grapplers. Spare mounted on stock spare tire bracket on 2000 tj sport. Feels 'solid' no wiggle when you try to shake it. Notice when you open the tailgate you have to kind of lift up on it a little to close the tailgate. Driving, it doesn't appear to shake but it does squeak a little. If I keep it will it damage or misalign the tailgate? Hate to spend $500+ on a tire carrier if I don't have to. Thanks all

Do you happen to have a hitch receiver on your bumper?

 

[CRGR]

Do you happen to have a hitch receiver on your bumper?

Yes

 

[Serbonze]

Yes

Before I had ever read Blaine's post about his wife's 35s on her tailgate, and before I bought a bumper mounted carrier, I made this. Everything I read on the forums cautioned me about putting anything heavier than a stock tire on the tailgate. I never used it off-road, but if I had a I probably would have put a ratchet strap around it and the tire to secure it.

 

[CRGR]

Before I had ever read Blaine's post about his wife's 35s on her tailgate, and before I bought a bumper mounted carrier, I made this. Everything I read on the forums cautioned me about putting anything heavier than a stock tire on the tailgate. I never used it off-road, but if I had a I probably would have put a ratchet strap around it and the tire to secure it.

View attachment 10000

Cool - so l9oks like a pice of threaded stock with nuts to tighten and set hight?

 

[Serbonze]

Cool - so l9oks like a pice of threaded stock with nuts to tighten and set hight?

Yep, just a large bolt with two "handles" welded to it and threaded to a nut welded to the inside of the hitch.