Spare tire carrier recommendations

[Moliver11]

Recently received a set of 2016 Rubicon wheels and tires 255/75R17. I bought adapters and remembered the spare tire carrier will also need to be modified. A guy in our local Jeep club had an extra wheel spacer to use for the spare. After installing the adapter, found the tire hits the rear stock TJ bumper.

I’m looking to replace the spare tire carrier to allow a larger tire. The 255/75r17’s will eventually be replaced to run 33’s. Rugged Ridge has a replacement carrier, it extends the tire by 2” away from the tailgate. My concern is losing contact with the tailgate rubber “bumpers”. Reading through some posts, others cautioned against moving the spare out if the small bumpers aren’t extended.

Does anyone have experience with Hyline OffroaD Oversized tire mount? Looks like the spare is moved up, not out. Spare should stay in contact with the support bumpers. Plus, it has a cutout to allow installation of a 3rd brake light that would be visible through the wheel’s center hole. Pretty clean looking if the light is bright enough.

Curious if anyone is running the Hyline spare tire carrier and if it allowed more clearance to run larger tires. Thanks

 

[Kevin Q]

I recently installed the MORryde reinforcement kit. I currently have Moabs with 32" tires mounted. I set it up for 33" tires in the very near future. My 3rd light wouldn't fit anymore so I ordered one that mounts inside the wheel. The kit is very solid and well designed.

 

[Irun]

Moving the spare tire up decreases visibility, and nominally center of gravity. Moving it out increases leverage on the tailgate. Since you only are running a 32" tire you could move it out and modify an extra set of stock tire bumpers. See post #13.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/cheap-spare-tire-bump-stops.36065/
The Stock third brake light can be moved up with simple spacers and longer bolts. However, the correct way to install a larger spare is with something like the Exogate or MORryde. These take the load off of the tailgate and moves it to heavy duty replacement, and reinforced, hinges.

https://gr8tops.com/shop/jeepmodels/wrangler-lj-2/tj-lj-exogate
https://www.morryde.com/products/tailgate-reinforcement-2/

 

[Moliver11]

I recently installed the MORryde reinforcement kit. I currently have Moabs with 32" tires mounted. I set it up for 33" tires in the very near future. My 3rd light wouldn't fit anymore so I ordered one that mounts inside the wheel. The kit is very solid and well designed.

Thanks kmq102, I've been looking at the MORryde as well. What are you considering for a center of wheel 3rd brake light? I'm wondering if the AEV CHMSL 3rd Brake Light would be an option even though it states for a JK (probably due to pigtail connectivity). I would think the AEV connector could be removed and hardwired into the TJ wiring. Curious what direction you're thinking for a center wheel brake light. Thanks for the input.

 

[Steel City 06]

For brake lights, I used the lug nut hole brake lights on my spare tire carrier bumper. It would be even easier to install on a tailgate mounted spare carrier. They are decently bright, about equivalent to the stock CHMSL in brightness, with a bit less area.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/16181_101.htm
I have since relocated my license plate to the spare, and use the ORO Platelite. The Platelite isn’t as bright, but also illuminates the plate.

 

[Irun]

I installed a MORryde, drilled a hole in the stock carrier, then tapped into the wiring to install one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0784VY3W9/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Moliver11]

For brake lights, I used the lug nut hole brake lights on my spare tire carrier bumper. It would be even easier to install on a tailgate mounted spare carrier. They are decently bright, about equivalent to the stock CHMSL in brightness, with a bit less area.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/16181_101.htm
I have since relocated my license plate to the spare, and use the ORO Platelite. The Platelite isn’t as bright, but also illuminates the plate.

That's another great option! I may purchase AEV's kit and see if it can be altered for our TJ. Can't see a reason why it wouldn't other than slight modifications to wiring. If the AEV kit is a no-go for the TJ, I'll install on my 2017 JKURR. I appreciate the feedback and link to the lug nut brake lights, I'm not counting those out

 

[Steel City 06]

That's another great option! I may purchase AEV's kit and see if it can be altered for our TJ. Can't see a reason why it wouldn't other than slight modifications to wiring. If the AEV kit is a no-go for the TJ, I'll install on my 2017 JKURR. I appreciate the feedback and link to the lug nut brake lights, I'm not counting those out

Could even run both... LEDs don’t take much power.

I actually still have the lug nut lights behind the license plate bracket. I coated the backside with a reflective foil so that there is a red glow behind the plate when I brake.

 

[Kevin Q]

@Moliver11 I ordered the Rugged Ridge 3rd light kit. It's on backorder so i cannot comment on how it is.

Another tip is that I found the MORryde part#J104172 way cheaper on some shady website. Called ET and they matched it with free shipping. Paid $316. Just did a quick google search and found it a little cheaper. Just call to get the price matched and save money.