Spare Tire Holder

[Moomps]

I purchased a 2000 TJ last year and it came with a JCR rear bumper and tire holder. It seems very solid, but it rattles. I have a 33x12.50.15 tire on it so it's pretty heavy. I am exploring other options to hold the spare and would appreciate suggestions. I am also in contact with JCR to get their thoughts and instructions.

 

[DaveC]

The MORryde kit is highly recommeded by many around here. I run one myself. Eliminates the need to open a swing-out carrier in addition to the rear door, nothing to rattle, lighter, good for up to 35" tires and works with the OEM carrier.

https://www.morryde.com/products-cat/reinforcement/

 

[mjonesjr84]

I second the MORryde kit. I have it on my TJ with a 33x12.50x17 tire/wheel and it does great. The one thing that you will need is a spacer for the stock tire holder or an aftermarket tire holder. I am running the Rugged Ridge below. IF you go the Rugged Ridge route, you will have to drill new holes to lower the carrier down about 1/2" to clear the MORryde tailgate frame. Install is very easy. Just remember to NOT open the tailgate so you can realign the hinges. Some heat on the factory hinge bolts will get you a long way. For the lower hinge bolts, you will probably have to drill the heads out of them. Make sure you have a GOOD 1/2" drill bit for this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AOKKWQ?tag=wranglerorg-20

I'm not a fan of the bumpers with the tire carrier. Having the extra step to swing the tire out of the way to open the tailgate seems like a PITA to me. The extra cost of a bumper with an integrated carrier is usually more than the MORryde setup.

 

[JMT]

x3 to the MoRyde.

All available swing out bumper tire carriers eventually rattle because they are poorly designed.

 

[srimes]

 

[Good Hope]

Lots of folks on this forum hate Rusty’s for historical reasons, but they do make a beastly tire carrier for our TJs. Thing is super strong, well built, adjustable for different tire sizes and heights, and comes with a third brake light. But also expensive. And probably the best thing they make.

I’ve got my Kevlar underwear on so feel free to bring on the hate for positively mentioning the “R” word.

 

[jjvw]

Lots of folks on this forum hate Rusty’s for historical reasons, ...

Historical reasons, like Rusty's complicity in South African apartheid and the Armenian Genocide?

 

[dbbd1]

I still like my bestop one.

 

[jjvw]

I still like my bestop one.

Discontinued about 3 years ago

 

[Good Hope]

Historical reasons, like Rusty's complicity in South African apartheid and the Armenian Genocide?

Atta boy! That’s what I was expecting! No critique of the tire carrier though.

 

[jjvw]

Atta boy! That’s what I was expecting! No critique of the tire carrier though.

Post pics. I'll see what I can do.

 

[Good Hope]

Post pics. I'll see what I can do.

Thank you, but I am happy enough with the critique contained in message 14 in the following conversation.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...r-swing-down-or-swing-away.57754/post-1018408
Personally not a fan of Rusty's, but they got one thing right.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Post pics. I'll see what I can do.

Attached.

I looked at both and personally like the MORryde better because of the solid plate on the tailgate. It also gives you the option of which tire carrier you want to mount to the tailgate.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Thank you, but I am happy enough with the critique contained in message 14 in the following conversation.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...r-swing-down-or-swing-away.57754/post-1018408
Personally not a fan of Rusty's, but they got one thing right.

I like post #8.

 

[jjvw]

Attached.

I looked at both and personally like the MORryde better because of the solid plate on the tailgate. It also gives you the option of which tire carrier you want to mount to the tailgate.

View attachment 519338

View attachment 519339

The two bolts going to the C pillar bracket are too short.

The stacked depth of the hinge and tire mount are too thick, requiring some tires to project further out from the tub than may be necessary.

The hinge bases above and below the tail light are not a large single unit like the ExoGate uses to distribute the load of the hinge attachment at the tub.

The cable swing stop won't survive.

 

[Good Hope]

The two bolts going to the C pillar bracket are too short.

The stacked depth of the hinge and tire mount are too thick, requiring some tires to project further out from the tub than may be necessary.

The hinge bases above and below the tail light are not a large single unit like the ExoGate uses to reinforce the hinges.

The cable swing stop won't survive.

Bolts do look short - Rusty's still up to their old tricks?

Stacked depth - You might be missing an inch max, probably less, compared to something like the MORryde. Some of this depends on the tire carrying bracket mounted to the middle of the tailgate. Having the tire actually rest against the arms keeps the tire from wiggling around when driving.

I agree a connected bracket might improve things functionally. One thing you can't see from the pictures is the bracket behind the body panel and lower hinge - extends inside the fender and connects at a third point which seems to really anchor it in place, although it's rough to install. Large single unit anchoring in the hinges or not, it's held on solid with no hint of movement.

You are absolutely right about the cable swing stop - it has lasted a couple years but is not going to last much longer. And it can spin back around on itself and catch occasionally.

As I said before, not a fan of Rusty's, but for people that don't like some of the other tire carriers, this one is worth a look.

 

[MikekiM]

I still like my bestop one.

Discontinued about 3 years ago

Yes, the Bestop Highrock 4X4 was discontinued, but if you're patient you might find one in the classifieds or on Market Place. I was looking for one back in 2022. Wanted it to replace the Rugged Ridge Spartacus HD Hinge & Carrier (more on that below) and posted here. Pretty much everyone here said to get the Exogate. I was looking for that carrier specifically because I wanted to use the Bestop Highrock 4X4 Cargo Basket and the baskets' mounting system didn't work with the RR Spartacus setup or the Exogate. Member @SvtLdr had a complete kit he had take off and we worked out a great deal. I have been running it since then and still love it. I keep it lubed and adjusted and it's been problem and rattle free even with a fairly loaded cargo basket and Rotopax water container and tools mounted on the spare. The basket and its mount can be removed/installed in just a few minutes.. which I do often... it's my daily.

That said, the PO had the above wheels (33x12.5 on 15x10 ProComps) mounted on the a RR Spartacus HD carrier with the stock hinges. I really didn't like the angle of the carrier and how it cantilevered off the gate but I stuck with it and upgraded the hinges to the Spartacus HD Hinge Set. That hinge was rock solid and I can strongly recommend it, but look at the position of the spare!! Even from a distance it's ridiculous.

I was going to add the stock carrier to the Spartacus hinge set but decided I wanted the cargo basket and @SvtLdr pulled through for me.

If none of the above makes any sense or if I didn't want to use the cargo basket.. OR if @SvtLdr didn't step up, I would have purchased the Exogate. But the planets aligned for me and I have zero regrets.

 

[mjonesjr84]

look at the position of the spare!! Even from a distance it's ridiculous.

View attachment 519354​

Rugged Ridge makes 2 different carriers; one angled like pictured and one with the tire vertical.

I have the vertical one and like it. It keeps the tire tucked in close to the tub.

 

[MikekiM]

Rugged Ridge makes 2 different carriers; one angled like pictured and one with the tire vertical.

I have the vertical one and like it. It keeps the tire tucked in close to the tub.

Good to know. And now that you mention it, I do recall that. I think that's the two piece carrier. I didn't pursue that because as I mentioned I was set on using the cargo basket.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Good to know. And now that you mention it, I do recall that. I think that's the two piece carrier. I didn't pursue that because as I mentioned I was set on using the cargo basket.

Yea the vertical mount from RR is 2 piece.