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Current XJ Rear Tire Carrier Suggestions

G

Greenspan

NAXJA Forum User
NAXJA Member
Location
Los Angeles
I have been looking into getting a rear bumper/tire carrier for my 1998 XJ. I've searched a lot but most suggestions I could find are out of date and the products are no longer made.

All I could really find were the Smittybilt and the JCR offroad tire carriers. Are those the only options? I saw some suggestions for Nates, but also heard they take forever to be delivered, are they still produced?

I like the JCR but is overpriced IMO ($1600 + $200 for brackets, LOL). I hear bad things about the Smittybilt but for $750 it's a LOT more affordable, is it really that bad? Are there any other good rear tire carrier options for XJ's these days?
 
I too toy with the idea for my '00. My thing is that I am trying to retain a stock look and not spend a zillion dollars. This is an option but according to what other people say will be a long wait.

http://detoursusa.com/tailbone.php

Despite what the website says still call.

I thought that was a little overkill for me. I am just looking to hang a stock tire. So I always poke around Craigslist looking for the factory '96 and down ones. Have a line on one at the moment. Thinking will use this writeup to aid with the install.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/install-write-up-factory-swing-out-spare-carrier-97-xj-196189/
 
From what I've heard and seen the XRC is a pain and heavy as hell. I had the Logan's 4X4 rear tire carrier, but felt it was too much weight out back. I actually used to have a Tomken rear tires carrier. That was much lighter and bolts to any 6" wide tube bumper.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
 
if you can find someone that has an old one laying around, you can likely modify it to your existing bumper.

I had a guy that had an old Detours Tailbone and he gave me just the swing arm. I took it to a local machining shop and they built me a bung to fill the pivot and drilled it out for a bolt, and then built a bracket to fit. One of the local NAXJA members to me helped me by welding the bracket on and it's been on there solid as can be for going on 2 years and several off-road trips.


EDIT: Just a quick look on the LA Craigslist page shows a complete TJ bumper with Smittybilt swing arm carrier for $275. You could likely modify that swing arm to your current bumper set up.
 
Last edited:
I just installed this one last weekend from rockhard 4x4:

http://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-1013.htm

I love it. Easy install and you can find it at 4 wheel parts or quadratec, or order directly from them. I got mine from 4wheelparts with a 10% off code.

One thing I liked about it was that it matched up the lines of the xj very nicely. The integrated quarter panel armor was another selling point.

EDIT: Just noticed you are from LA, you can pick up the bumper locally in Compton at the 4wheelparts warehouse.
 
Last edited:
Ralph77 said:
I too toy with the idea for my '00. My thing is that I am trying to retain a stock look and not spend a zillion dollars. This is an option but according to what other people say will be a long wait.

http://detoursusa.com/tailbone.php

Despite what the website says still call.

I thought that was a little overkill for me. I am just looking to hang a stock tire. So I always poke around Craigslist looking for the factory '96 and down ones. Have a line on one at the moment. Thinking will use this writeup to aid with the install.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/install-write-up-factory-swing-out-spare-carrier-97-xj-196189/
Click to expand...

called several months ago, ready to buy. never heard back

edit. called for knucklebone - the hitch mounted carrier, still never heard back.
 
Wow! Lots of good ideas I never even considered! I'm glad I asked.

One thing I don't care for with the tire carriers is some mount the tire on the passenger side, seems like that would block the drivers view when backing up and looking over your shoulder.
 
Greenspan said:
One thing I don't care for with the tire carriers is some mount the tire on the passenger side, seems like that would block the drivers view when backing up and looking over your shoulder.
Click to expand...

The view is pretty blocked no matter where the tire is. Luckily the spokes on my wheel makes small viewing ports :eyes:
 
Greenspan said:
Wow! Lots of good ideas I never even considered! I'm glad I asked.

One thing I don't care for with the tire carriers is some mount the tire on the passenger side, seems like that would block the drivers view when backing up and looking over your shoulder.
Click to expand...

Protofab4x4 has a tire carrier bumper that mounts the tire on the driver's side.

Good pricing, too. When I finally get around to buying a rear bumper, this is the one I'm getting.

http://www.protofab4x4.com/products.php?ID=00&ID2=32
 
I've been happy with my tire carrier which, is a detoursusa tailbone. Supper easy to install and looks like it should have been a factory option. The pivot is on the passenger side and tire is mounted drivers. Includes a bracket to shift the licence plate towards passenger.
Even has a spot for 5/8 shackles. Excellent customer service, I have his sliders and front backbone.
 
Detours does not sell the tailbone for the XJ anymore.
 
I was talking to mark at detours before the holidays. He will make them, but if I recall he said 10-12 week lead time.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
 
Interesting. Their website shows that "sales are temporarily suspended for this item."
 
I am currently fabricating my own tailbone tire carrier for my '00. I already have the skeleton fabricated with actual fame insert tie-ins rather than only using the stock bumper mounting points. I just need to start building the swingout. I will be posting a build thread once complete.
 
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