reinforcement of tire carrier?

[Shorty]

I looked at a bunch of threads that say 31" is the limit for the factory swing out tire carrier (older version)

I am curious what part breaks and how it can be modified to carry a larger (33"X12.5) tire and rim. Anybody got any "real world" experience with these things??

OE tech/Mod. tech?? I guess it's still a factory carrier, so here's as good as anywhere.

 

[ParadiseXJ]

I have the OEM type that pivots on the right rear corner of the bumper. The other type mounts on the body panel. I don't know which is older. I bought mine at the JY and it did not come with reinforcing parts. I fabbed up some bracing inside the bumper (stock bumper) that is bolted to the inside mount and another 2 bolts through the bracket.

I've found that there is vitually no weight on the bumper mounting spots when the carrier is closed. It has never rattled or shifted. I have a 31" on there now. I don't see a 33" being too much of a problem except for:

1. Whatever backspacing you have. I had a stock wheel on there and wouldn't fit against the mount without either airing down the tire or putting a wheel spacer on the mount itself. I have Cragars on ther now and it's not an issue. I have 1 3/4" clearance AWAY from the bumper.

2. The weight. Like I said it's not an issue when closed but unless you either have bracing or can fab it up (I used 3" channel steel about 10-11" long 3/16" thick) I'd be leery about letting the kids swing on it or putting a cooler on top of it.

I don't know if I did everything according to Hoyle but it works, looks good, requires very little maintanence and got my spare out of the way.

 

[Shorty]

as far as I know, the one that mounts to the side of the 1/4pannel is the older version (I could be wrong)
I got the inner braces and supports from the boneyard with it, but they don't seem too substantial. I guess I'll put everything together and see how it feels, but any other ideas are definitely welcomed!!

 

[xjbubba]

My '88 came with a tire mount that attached to the passenger side in two places (quarter panel and bumper, as I recall).
The hinge pins are subject wear, and can drop the entire assembly without warning! My advice, if you have one of these, is to carefully inspect the pins, and consider a "mod" to reinforce this area.
I had to do a "field" repair on mine, after it dropped away from the Jeep, seriously wrenching my back in the process. It's been so many years ago, I don't remember the construction details; however, I can still feel the pain! At the time, I had a 33x9" spare, and a full 5 gallon gas can mounted on it.

 

[Shorty]

in looking at it, the carrier it self looks to be sandwiched between the "pins" when closed-- did it give out when open? I agree that they seem to be the weak link, but without having installed it yet, it's still speculation.

unfortunately, someone else had begun to remove it from the vehicle at the yard, so I'm unfamiliar with how strong it "felt" when installed.

 

[bcmaxx]

I run an older version with a 33x12x15 bfg a/t on a stock alloy. The hinge pins like to loosen up, so look out there, Make sure it has the inner quarter reinforcement and you might even want to beef that up as Mine has rippled the sheetmetal a bit over the years. To fit the 33 on stock rim, you will have to also install longer studs as they are way too short. And be sure to get the rubber bumper for the gate and keep the bolt properly adjusted. I would not add any more weight to this thing

 

[Shorty]

I've got the reinforcement (didn't know if they all had 'em, so I grabbed it) and I've got the rubber for the hatch. What was supposed to contact the rubber bumper? The carrier doesn't have anything screwed into the threaded hole-- just a bolt?

 

[bcmaxx]

I've got the reinforcement (didn't know if they all had 'em, so I grabbed it) and I've got the rubber for the hatch. What was supposed to contact the rubber bumper? The carrier doesn't have anything screwed into the threaded hole-- just a bolt?

like a carriage bolt with a nut on either side of the tab (with a round head)

 

[Shorty]

I'll have to see how much room I'll have to fill-- I was thinking something like a "pinion snubber" from the days of building drag cars might work better.

 

[bcmaxx]

I'll have to see how much room I'll have to fill-- I was thinking something like a "pinion snubber" from the days of building drag cars might work better.

probably workas long as the rubber isnt too soft allowing movement

 

[Shorty]

poly and designed to stop body from dropping on launch-- should be hard enough for a tire:looney:

 

[xjbubba]

in looking at it, the carrier it self looks to be sandwiched between the "pins" when closed-- did it give out when open? I agree that they seem to be the weak link, but without having installed it yet, it's still speculation.

unfortunately, someone else had begun to remove it from the vehicle at the yard, so I'm unfamiliar with how strong it "felt" when installed.

It' been a long time since I had the stock carrier, so my memory is rusty. It pulled loos as I swung it out, dropping to the ground as I was pulling it out--my natural reflex was to "catch it"--severely strained back resulted.
As I recalled, the pins screw in from the bottom. The pivots on the carrier pulled right over the heads of the bolts. As a temp fix, I put large washers between the bolt heads (torx head) and the carrier. At minimum, I would disassemble the hinges and add washers as back-up.

 

[bcmaxx]

It' been a long time since I had the stock carrier, so my memory is rusty. It pulled loos as I swung it out, dropping to the ground as I was pulling it out--my natural reflex was to "catch it"--severely strained back resulted.
As I recalled, the pins screw in from the bottom. The pivots on the carrier pulled right over the heads of the bolts. As a temp fix, I put large washers between the bolt heads (torx head) and the carrier. At minimum, I would disassemble the hinges and add washers as back-up.

Ah yes thanks for mentioning the washers I forgot to add that. Kinda like a ball in socket setup. Do add the washers!!

 

[Shorty]

sounds like a good plan-- I found the "bushing kit" part number on here while searching, so I'll probably see my friendly Chryco dealer and pony-up the $$ for them too. If anyone needs the part number it's:
8350-7112 one kit per pivot (two total needed)

 

[TiRod]

There's one at the local salvage yard. The upper quarter mount looks twisted, but it seems to work ok, slams shut and latches into the bumper. I understand it's the early version, the FSM has the drawing showing what all it takes to mount it, reinforcements, etc. There is a rubber faced carriage bolt that hits a hatch mounted rubber block to stop the rattling.

They are extremely rare in this area, about the only reason I want it. He wanted $100 for it, I take it off. I think thats too high. Advice?

 

[bcmaxx]

There's one at the local salvage yard. The upper quarter mount looks twisted, but it seems to work ok, slams shut and latches into the bumper. I understand it's the early version, the FSM has the drawing showing what all it takes to mount it, reinforcements, etc. There is a rubber faced carriage bolt that hits a hatch mounted rubber block to stop the rattling.

They are extremely rare in this area, about the only reason I want it. He wanted $100 for it, I take it off. I think thats too high. Advice?

I've seen them for more money than that, I paid $35 bucks for mine (or an eighteen pack of beer- the way I think about things)

 

[Shorty]

pulled mine last week from a pick-n-pull for $40.00, but I had to buy the bumper too (another $40.00) for the carrier receiver and braces. I probably could have gotten everything for $40.00 if I wanted to pull the necessary parts and cut my bumper for the receiver and 4 holes on the side, but it looked like rain and I was feeling lazy. I decided my time was worth more than the $40.00 to pull the parts off.

bring all your Torx bits if you decide to get it, and don't forget the brace inside the rear 1/4 panel-- you'll need something to drill or cut three rivets (aluminum ones, so fairly soft metal) to remove it.

 

[AJTorris]

careful with the tire carrier. When i bought my jeep it had it on it. It seemed to always pop open when i would be going down the trail! I got to the point where i tied it around the bumper so it couldnt pop off. Then i went down a ledge and snaged the spare tire and bent it foward towards the back window. So i took it off. I had a 33x12.5x15 black steelies on it.

Oh ya did you get the bump stop off of the hatch too?

 

[bcmaxx]

It seemed to always pop open when i would be going down the trail!

Was the frame bent, latch bent broken,bumper improperly adjusted? Mine has never popped open in the 3 yrs its been on there, I fear dropping a ledge and catching it, other than that I've run it into the ground climbing things

 

[Shorty]

Oh ya did you get the bump stop off of the hatch too?

si, senor. got everything except the license plate light-- it was in horrible condition and not factory original anyway.