I was given a nice set of 2016 Rubicon wheels for 2003 TJR wrapped in the original BFG M/T’s 255/75/r17 with only 13K miles. All (4) wheels/tires on the TJ for great when running a 1.25” Spidertrax adapter. Yes, I check torque specs at each tire rotation and have never had issues with adapters.
When it came to installing the spare, I l installed a Teraflex spare tire relocation bracket. This gave proper bolt patter for the JKU wheel and raised the spare a few inches and then pushed the spare away from the tailgate by ~1in. The Teraflex bracket allowed the spare to fit without hitting the bumper, however now the 3rd brake like is partially covered.
Teraflex also makes a 3rd brake light riser, part #1902000, that adds a few inches of additional height to the OEM 3rd brake light assembly. Before installing I wire brushed the surface rust on the OEM parts, paintedand assembled.
I quickly realized the bolts for the new Teraflex 3rd brake light extender were too short. The OEM 3rd brake light assembly has (2) plastic spacers held on with a screw in each. I’m assuming these were added by the factory for Rubicon models with slightly larger 16” wheels. In my situation, using the Teraflex hardware provided, the bolts are too short due to the plastic spacers and there’s no threads showing on the bottom for a washer and bolt. I removed the factory spacers (see pics below) and now everything fits.
The only issue, the 3rd brake light is just above the spare. When sitting in a car behind the TJ with the new 3rd brake riser, the spare partially blocks the light. When I move up to 285/70R17’s in the near future the light will be covered. This is still under the 33” max tire height Teraflex said would work.
I’ll send Teraflex a message asking about the length of bolts provided and if it was intended to be used with the factory spacers already installed on the 3rd brake light. Has any ran into this issue? A quick run to Home Depot and I should have this fixed and the 3rd brake light raised another 5/8”.
Pics below are probably easier to understand. The red circle shows the factory spacers on 3rd brake light. Teraflex bolts won’t pass through and allow threading a bolt on the bottom.
Another view of the factory spacers for the 3rd brake light…
Here is what the OEM factory spacers for the OEM 3rd brake light assembly looks like…
Here’s how it looks after installation and removing the OEM spacers. It will work for now, however when the 285/70’s are installed I’ll probably addthe OEM spacers and buy longer bolts.
It’s never a quick and easy fix lol.
When it came to installing the spare, I l installed a Teraflex spare tire relocation bracket. This gave proper bolt patter for the JKU wheel and raised the spare a few inches and then pushed the spare away from the tailgate by ~1in. The Teraflex bracket allowed the spare to fit without hitting the bumper, however now the 3rd brake like is partially covered.
Teraflex also makes a 3rd brake light riser, part #1902000, that adds a few inches of additional height to the OEM 3rd brake light assembly. Before installing I wire brushed the surface rust on the OEM parts, paintedand assembled.
I quickly realized the bolts for the new Teraflex 3rd brake light extender were too short. The OEM 3rd brake light assembly has (2) plastic spacers held on with a screw in each. I’m assuming these were added by the factory for Rubicon models with slightly larger 16” wheels. In my situation, using the Teraflex hardware provided, the bolts are too short due to the plastic spacers and there’s no threads showing on the bottom for a washer and bolt. I removed the factory spacers (see pics below) and now everything fits.
The only issue, the 3rd brake light is just above the spare. When sitting in a car behind the TJ with the new 3rd brake riser, the spare partially blocks the light. When I move up to 285/70R17’s in the near future the light will be covered. This is still under the 33” max tire height Teraflex said would work.
I’ll send Teraflex a message asking about the length of bolts provided and if it was intended to be used with the factory spacers already installed on the 3rd brake light. Has any ran into this issue? A quick run to Home Depot and I should have this fixed and the 3rd brake light raised another 5/8”.
Pics below are probably easier to understand. The red circle shows the factory spacers on 3rd brake light. Teraflex bolts won’t pass through and allow threading a bolt on the bottom.
Another view of the factory spacers for the 3rd brake light…
Here is what the OEM factory spacers for the OEM 3rd brake light assembly looks like…
Here’s how it looks after installation and removing the OEM spacers. It will work for now, however when the 285/70’s are installed I’ll probably addthe OEM spacers and buy longer bolts.
It’s never a quick and easy fix lol.
