Is the stock tire carrier robust enough for smaller tires?

[Lo-Kei]

You can also upgrade just the hinges. As they wear, you might notice the tailgate sag, and you'll have to lift it to close.

Thanks for tip. I reading prior suggestions here: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tailgate-hinge-upgrade.31314/

 

[TheBoogieman]

You have to take the weight off the tailgate. This one was good with a 35" spare for 7 years until the Jeep was sold. I use various methods. You want to have to slightly lift the tire to close the tailgate so there's no weight dragging it down. My Rubicon 35" spare has been on for 3 years and the hinges are smooth as "butta".

 

[Lo-Kei]

You have to take the weight off the tailgate. This one was good with a 35" spare for 7 years until the Jeep was sold. I use various methods. You want to have to slightly lift the tire to close the tailgate so there's no weight dragging it down. My Rubicon 35" spare has been on for 3 years and the hinges are smooth as "butta".


View attachment 200227View attachment 200228

Thanks for the pics @TheBoogieman . Looks like this creates upward force countering some, if not most of the tire weight. If I do this, does this mean I can run my stock hinges for some extended time?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Thanks for the pics @TheBoogieman . Looks like this creates upwards force countering some, if not most of the tire weight. If I do this, does this mean I can run my stock hinges for some extended time?

Yes. The top pic was the support that was used for 7 years. I run 35" spares on the stock carrier on almost all of my Jeeps and never had any problems with the stock hinges.

 

[Lo-Kei]

Yes. The top pic was the support that was used for 7 years. I run 35" spares on the stock carrier on almost all of my Jeeps and never had any problems with the stock hinges.View attachment 200236

Awesome. That mod with 35s is a solid case for my lighter weight 33s. Less effort and cost. I also like how you manage to keep the exterior body close to the factory stock look. Another q, maybe off topic, but in this pic, it appears that your tailgate was lifted 1" or so. What's going on here?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Awesome. That mod with 35s is a solid case for my lighter weight 33s. Less effort and cost. I also like how you manage to keep the exterior body close to the factory stock look. Another q, maybe off topic, but in this pic, it appears that your tailgate was lifted 1" or so. What's going on here?

I see what your saying now. I think that was black trim I used to cover some scratches at the bottom. It does look strange at the top too. Must be my bad flip phone pictures or the tailgate was open. I wish I never sold that Jeep. One owner with 27,000 miles that I bought for $8.700. I lifted it, sold it and made around $3,000 profit.

 

[Lo-Kei]

I see what your saying now. I think that was black trim I used to cover some scratches at the bottom. It does look strange at the top too. Must be my bad flip phone pictures or the tailgate was open.

Yes, good optical illusion. For a brief moment, I considered someone would suggest you did this to support the 35s. I can see why you would want to keep White jeep. Looks great. Hopefully new owners enjoy driving it.