Spare tire and brake light options

['05Train]

I'm doing my budget lift this weekend, and I'm going to do tires and wheels as well. I have 31s now. Doing BDS 2" springs with 3/4" spacers. I'm stuck between 32s and 33s.

I'm going to do a rear bumper eventually. Am I better off:

- Spacing up the third brake light and running the new spare on the stock mount and tailgate?

- Adding the Rugged Ridge Spartacus hinge and carrier (which I believe spaces up the third brake light)?

- Springing for a bumper with a carrier? And then figuring out what to do for the brake light?

I do not, nor will I ever rock crawl. Jeep gets used on fire trails and the beach. I can't foresee ever going larger than 33s. I prefer to keep the stock third brake light, but am not opposed to using something - preferably plug-and-play for a light.

Thoughts?

 

[KennethS]

I have a 32" spare hanging on the factory mount and there's no clearance issue with the third brake light.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

It depends on how creative you want to be:
(1) Raise the OEM light with longer bolts and spacers,

(2) Get fancy:

 

['05Train]

Thanks guys. Not a fan of the Ring of Fire, but that's not a bad option.

I'm really leaning towards the 33s, but will the stock carrier and hinges support it? That's got to be 80 pounds of tire and wheel.

 

[LONGJP2]

Thoughts?

If you don't want to pay up for the full Exogate, at least get their heavy duty hinges.
You might not need them right away, but eventually the stock hinges will get play in them.
Make sure the snubbers are adjusted for the new size tire.

 

[macleanflood]

I've got a swing out bumper mounted tire carrier. I hate it.

If you need to reinforce your factory hinges you can get a Morryde.

-Mac

 

[RINC]

Thanks guys. Not a fan of the Ring of Fire, but that's not a bad option.

I'm really leaning towards the 33s, but will the stock carrier and hinges support it? That's got to be 80 pounds of tire and wheel.

Mine is still a work in progress. Do I carry my spare on the gate or inside the tub? 3rd brake light not working with the gate reinforcement to carry a larger tire. Work in progress.

 

['05Train]

Mine is still a work in progress. Do I carry my spare on the gate or inside the tub? 3rd brake light not working with the gate reinforcement to carry a larger tire. Work in progress.
View attachment 474636

Lol....about where I'm at.

 

['05Train]

I've got a swing out bumper mounted tire carrier. I hate it.

If you need to reinforce your factory hinges you can get a Morryde.

-Mac

I've heard that. A lot.

 

[RINC]

I've heard that. A lot.

I am running the MORryde carrier. It spaces the 3rd brake light connections on the gate out enough that you will need a booger of sodder to make the connection.

 

[LONGJP2]

I am running the MORryde carrier. It spaces the 3rd brake light connections on the gate out enough that you will need a booger of sodder to make the connection.

I've never heard of the tailgate position changing because of the reinforcement.

 

[WestCoastDan]

Thanks guys. Not a fan of the Ring of Fire, but that's not a bad option.

I'm really leaning towards the 33s, but will the stock carrier and hinges support it? That's got to be 80 pounds of tire and wheel.

That made me laugh!
I actually prefer it to something BESIDES just a bigger tire blocking more of my rearward view.

 

[RINC]

I've never heard of the tailgate position changing because of the reinforcement.

I forget who posted it recently. Said the contacts where the gate meets the tub were misaligned. I have power to the tub contacts and power from the gate contacts to the light.

 

[DEValken]

I removed mine completely, haven't had an inspector question it.

 

[JustDandee]

Thanks guys. Not a fan of the Ring of Fire, but that's not a bad option.

I'm really leaning towards the 33s, but will the stock carrier and hinges support it? That's got to be 80 pounds of tire and wheel.

One benefit of the ring of fire, you no longer have the brake light taking up some of your view out the rear. Not selling you on it, just something I like when I did the change over.

 

['05Train]

I removed mine completely, haven't had an inspector question it.

I'd prefer to not give a cop a reason to pull me over, even if it gets through inspection.

 

[DEValken]

I'd prefer to not give a cop a reason to pull me over, even if it gets through inspection.

Understood - we don't have ones that care up here (I'm a bit north of you in the Valley), but I can believe Roanoke is big enough you do.

Bet I don't see a sheriff once in six months out here.

 

[lBasket]

I dumped my 3rd brake light and my spare. We'll see how long til I am mad at myself needing a spare on the trail. Are 3rd brake lights mandatory where you live? I didn't think they were here... but we don't have "inspections"

 

['05Train]

Understood - we don't have ones that care up here (I'm a bit north of you in the Valley), but I can believe Roanoke is big enough you do.

Bet I don't see a sheriff once in six months out here.

I bet. I wouldn't be sweating it there.

 

[RINC]

Understood - we don't have ones that care up here (I'm a bit north of you in the Valley), but I can believe Roanoke is big enough you do.

Bet I don't see a sheriff once in six months out here.

Guys, Virginia sucked to haul permit loads though.