Topic: Stock tire carrier with 33" finally gave in...

[jfrabat]

So it finally happened; the hinges on my YJ finally gave out as a result of having my 33" spare hanging from the stock carrier.  But I do have to admit, it did not happen in the way all of you are thinking it did...

The story is like this: I was on my way to see a lot I own in the middle of nowhere, and as a result of all the rains, a small creek that runs through the road there cut a nice V shaped groove about 3 or 4 feet deep.  I got the jeep close in, and I calculated the approach and departure angles, and figured the Jeep would make the cross (with a bit of help from the trusty Superwinch in front).  Well, my calculations were correct; the bumper would not hit the ledge.  But I forgot to calculate for the spare...  So the I put the full weight of the Jeep on the spare, and the hinges of the tailgate gave way, so now the spare is tilted forward (alla pickup tire carrier!), and there is a small gap on the bottom of the tailgate where air (and, presumably, water) get in.

I have a set of TJ hinges color-matched to my Jeep, but unfortunatelly, they are in Costa Rica, and I (and the Jeep) are currently in Panama...  So I guess the door will have to stay with that gap for a month or so.  I do park indoor, but it's rainy season in panama, so I hope not much water gets in there while I am driving it!

I'll post some pics later on for all of you to see...

Felipe

[neale_rs]

Is the rear door itself ok or did it also get a bit bent?

[jfrabat]

The door has some minor damage, but the hinges are shot...

[Jeffy]

Will TJ hinges line up with the YJ holes?

[sharpxmen]

Will TJ hinges line up with the YJ holes?

you gotta drill 2 holes, the other 3 line up (from what i remember was in the tub you had to do it, the outer holes were further out towards the corner as the fixed part of the TJ hinges is wider, no big deal though).

[neale_rs]

The hinges on my '95 are not like a normal YJ nor like a normal TJ.  They are aluminum but not quite as strong as the TJ hinges, kind of like a prototype of the TJ hinges.

[Jeffy]

The hinges on my '95 are not like a normal YJ nor like a normal TJ.  They are aluminum but not quite as strong as the TJ hinges, kind of like a prototype of the TJ hinges.

Yeah, the 95.5's are an in between size.

[jfrabat]

From what I have read, 3 of 4 holes line up...

[Jeffy]

Did you consoder getting some CJ hinges and backing plates?  You can either retain the YJ latch.  You could also do the CJ style latch since you have an aftermarket hardtop with it's own locks.