I realize that, and I also mentioned that. I wouldn't do it, but it was apparently done.
Spare tire and bumper question
- Thread starter David Jackman
- Start date
Jeepaholic
TJ Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
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- 70
Latest observation update! The reason the tailgate will not close with the tire inflated is; when the tire and wheel are mounted flush to the carrier and THEN inflated to 30 psi, the tailgate actually bends and distorts. If the tire is inflated first, you can't mount it to the carrier because the tire hits the bumpers and the studs aren't long enough to go through the wheel.
For reasons I can't intelligently articulate, the two inch spacers just don't seem to be the answer to me. I am going to first try the Rugged Ridge 11585.01 tire carrier mount. From the limited information available on Amazon, it is 2" longer than factory carrier. MAYBE that will be enough correct the problem.
I really appreciate all the ideas and possible solutions. This is a great forum.
Chief
For reasons I can't intelligently articulate, the two inch spacers just don't seem to be the answer to me. I am going to first try the Rugged Ridge 11585.01 tire carrier mount. From the limited information available on Amazon, it is 2" longer than factory carrier. MAYBE that will be enough correct the problem.
I really appreciate all the ideas and possible solutions. This is a great forum.
Chief
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
- Messages
- 70
The latest episode in the continuing saga of tailgate not shutting when spare tire is inflated: I installed a Rugged Ridge 11585.01 tire carrier mount and rear brake light extender. Remember when there was 2" gap between un-inflated tire and tire bumpers? Well.....I installed a 2" extended tire carrier mount from Rugged Ridge.....and now, with the spare tire inflated, I have a 2" gap between the inflated tire and the tire bumpers. I just don't understand how in hell that happened. I am out of ideas and patience. A new set of OEM size tires are in my near future.
Chief
Chief
04slvrcmbia
Member
I know this is an old thread, but I’m having this problem as well. When I bought my 04, it already had 31s and the rugged ridge carrier mentioned in this thread. The tire wasn’t touching the snubbers, and was just hanging in mid air. I didn’t like this, and having had 31s on previous TJs in the past, decided to buy a used oem carrier on eBay.
The part came, I took the rugged ridge carrier off, installed the one carrier and I can’t put the spare on. With the tire inflated, the wheel studs don’t even stick thru enough to get the lugs started. This is a Columbia edition, so it has the Ecco wheels (painted gray). I’m thinking I’m gonna take the snubbers off, cut them down with a band saw, and try that.
Also, I’ve noticed the bottom of the tire is JUST touching the top of the rear bumper, which doesn’t bother me, I just don’t remember any of my other TJs being that close. The tires are 31 10.5 BFG A/Ts by the way. They’ve only got a few thousand miles on them.
Just throwing it out there that this isn’t a one off problem. It must be the backspacing on the Ecco wheels.
The part came, I took the rugged ridge carrier off, installed the one carrier and I can’t put the spare on. With the tire inflated, the wheel studs don’t even stick thru enough to get the lugs started. This is a Columbia edition, so it has the Ecco wheels (painted gray). I’m thinking I’m gonna take the snubbers off, cut them down with a band saw, and try that.
Also, I’ve noticed the bottom of the tire is JUST touching the top of the rear bumper, which doesn’t bother me, I just don’t remember any of my other TJs being that close. The tires are 31 10.5 BFG A/Ts by the way. They’ve only got a few thousand miles on them.
Just throwing it out there that this isn’t a one off problem. It must be the backspacing on the Ecco wheels.
There are a lot of great ideas floating around in a couple threads. I also am running 31x10.5s. I had the same problem mounting the tire. I bough a extension bracket at first, but that left a 2 inch gap. I returned it and bought a 1 inch wheel spacer instead. It left me with 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch gap. I then used rubber washers and longer hardware from Home Depot to get a snug fit. It seemed to work for me. My tire also does not touch the bumper. Maybe your tailgate is sagging?
04slvrcmbia
Member
I just finished trimming the snubbers down. It did the trick. It’s possible that my gate is sagging a bit. I don’t know how long the PO ran it with that aftermarket carrier, with the tire not touching any of the snubbers. I did replace the hinges last fall, due to the pins being seized.
I’m happy with it now.
On to the next project.....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m happy with it now.
On to the next project.....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I bought my jeep, it had 31" tires on OEM ravine wheels. When I removed my spare, I found 2 or 3 thick washers on each stud, but the stud was plenty long enough to mount with lug nuts. I did add a spacer so my snubbers contacted the tire.
Since then I installed 32" tires and a different bumper.
Since then I installed 32" tires and a different bumper.
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