Topic: Which tire carrier to get?

[Jeffy]

Been looking at getting a tire carrier for my jeep again.  So far I'm liking the LOD Signature Series which also happens to be the cheapest.

http://www.lodoffroad.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16250&cat=274&page=1



I also like the Garvin Wilderness Expedition

http://www.wildernessracks.com/index.php/jeep/yj-1987-1995/expedition-rack-jeep-87-95-yj-wrangler.html



The third is Hanson Offroad which like Garvin, you have to add all of the accessories to it.

http://www.hansonoffroad.com/proddetail.php?prod=YJRTC-P



I've got one major criteria and that's someplace to mount NATO gas cans.  I've noticed a lot of mfg's switch to the Rotopaks.  I've also looked at MORE as well as ARB which don't have any place to mount cans but could be added pretty easily, I think.  Not really a deal breaker but some some corner protection from the bumper would be a plus.



Are there any other mfg's I should be looking at?  Seems YJ and even TJ stuff is getting scarcer, at least for new designs.  Mostly what I've seen are stuff that was designed 10 years ago.  A lot of the smaller mfg's have closed shop as well.

[jfrabat]

I am not sure if you are looking for something that includes the bumper (it seems that way).  If not, look at the Bestop HighRock Oversize Tire Carrier.  I have one, and I am very happy with it.  It says it will handle up to a 33, but I don't think it would have issues handling up to a 35 (especially the newer ones, which are lighter).  I have yet to see an option for gas cans to fit in it, though...

[Jeffy]

I am not sure if you are looking for something that includes the bumper (it seems that way).  If not, look at the Bestop HighRock Oversize Tire Carrier.  I have one, and I am very happy with it.  It says it will handle up to a 33, but I don't think it would have issues handling up to a 35 (especially the newer ones, which are lighter).  I have yet to see an option for gas cans to fit in it, though...

I'm looking for a complete system.  There are no provision for gas on the Bestop setup.

[stan98tj]

I have the LOD bumper....and i have yet to install it. My buddy has an LOD as well and loves it. Has held up to some serious abuse. I can def say the hardware is pretty beef

[Jeffy]

I'm still looking at tire carriers but I've been working on maintenance on the Jeep.  It's the whole two steps forwards and two steps back sort of deal.  Gotta get the engine sorted out.  I'm also thinking about removing the 1.25" body lift since I really don't need it anymore.  I can clear the 33's as it is.  Then if the engine gets back to tip top shape, I might change my mod path.

[stan98tj]

Just make sure it has a good hinge and latch

[Jeffy]

Just make sure it has a good hinge and latch

I'd imagine most are these days since everything seems to be a 10 years old design.  I haven't seen anyone post pics of their swing-away breaking off in a long while.

[chardrc]

I wouldn't be too worried about the latch failing but there are differences in hinge design for ease of use. most I have seen use a metal tube over a metal rod with a grease zerk which works OK but isn't the easiest to swing and gets worse with time. Had this design on my warn rear tire carrier and my dad's AEV rear bumper for his JK. Some Rancho rear carrier on a rental jeep had a similar design that was a real pain to swing (probably rarely greased). The poison spider carrier Igot for my jk has tapered roller bearings which makes swinging the carrier very easy. probably overkill but it swings better than any other carrier I have seen. Don't know if they make anything for a YJ but would be worth looking if there are options with real bearings.

[Jeffy]

I wouldn't be too worried about the latch failing but there are differences in hinge design for ease of use. most I have seen use a metal tube over a metal rod with a grease zerk which works OK but isn't the easiest to swing and gets worse with time. Had this design on my warn rear tire carrier and my dad's AEV rear bumper for his JK. Some Rancho rear carrier on a rental jeep had a similar design that was a real pain to swing (probably rarely greased). The poison spider carrier Igot for my jk has tapered roller bearings which makes swinging the carrier very easy. probably overkill but it swings better than any other carrier I have seen. Don't know if they make anything for a YJ but would be worth looking if there are options with real bearings.

That's a good point. Though not a big problem in California. The ARB uses a nylon bushing. Hanson Offroad, Garvin and LoD is metal with grease.  Not sure about MORE.  ORFab is the closest thing to the Poison Spyder but I can't use that kit since I have flush mounted taillights.

[Jeffy]

Okay, I'm liking this one again.  I like it over the ORFab because I have flush taillights and could have to cut their bracket in half to make it work.  Also, I can run it without and without the gas can and not have the tire hanging out in the middle of space.  I kinda also like the minimalist bumper look as well though I'd probably want a receiver for the non-existent trailer I don't own but may want to some day.  It doesn't look like you need corner guards.  I might go with shorty corners eventually though.  I'm not sure how that changes the shimming of the tailgate either.  Still thinking about what to do...

[Jeffy]

I came across these bumpers which look like a copy of the old Bulletproof/body Armor Bumpers.  Though I do like how the cans sit on the arm which reduces the distance teh tire has to stick out.

http://www.nates4x4.com/Wrangler_Rear_Bumper_p/yj_wrr.htm



I kinda like this design as well but it doesn't look like he's in business anymore.

http://www.certifiablejeep.com/grant4x4bumper.php

One of the things I don't like about either is that they mount the bumper off the crossmember with a spacer so the bumper isn't flush with it.  It's not really a problem but I like the ones that sit flush....

[Jeffy]

I'm kinda liking the Poison Spider stuff but I hate the logo on everything.  It would also require me to move the gas filler neck to the TJ position.  That's PITA.  The JK swing arm is nicer in that it connects to the tailgate and swings out with it.

[chardrc]

The PS logo is cool IMHO but it is are real PITA to paint so it doesn't rust in the sharp angles. That OR fab one looks nice, I like that it has two pivot hinges spread apart to help spread out the load and keep it from binding. The AEV swing carrier on my Dad's jeep totally locked up this week. ended up finding out that the bottom bolt and grease retaining washer fell out so all the grease was going to the bottom bushing and the top one was completely dry. greased it up and swings almost as good as the PS one now. still need to get a replacement washer, bolt, and o-ring and locktight it in to keep the grease in place.

[Jeffy]

The PS logo is cool IMHO but it is are real PITA to paint so it doesn't rust in the sharp angles. That OR fab one looks nice, I like that it has two pivot hinges spread apart to help spread out the load and keep it from binding. The AEV swing carrier on my Dad's jeep totally locked up this week. ended up finding out that the bottom bolt and grease retaining washer fell out so all the grease was going to the bottom bushing and the top one was completely dry. greased it up and swings almost as good as the PS one now. still need to get a replacement washer, bolt, and o-ring and locktight it in to keep the grease in place.

I don't care for the logo.  Honestly, I'd rather not have any logo's but there's popular now.  I like the Evolution II that attaches to the tailgate and seems to open with it rather then have a separate swing out.  One of the other problems is that I don't want a bumper that's too fancy since they jsut look out of place on an older Jeep.  I kinda like the clunkyness of some of the other ones.

The problem with the TNT is that I'd still have to figure out a bumper.  And that has a lot of it's own problems. I don't get why many companies that have hitches exclude them for YJ's since they don't have the additional bracing.  Though the YJ's stock hitch uses the same bolt holes that the bumpers use.  I'd like a hitch so I can someday pull a trailer.

[TahoeYJ]

I know people aren't huge fans of the Smittybilt XRC carrier but I haven't had any issues and I like the clean and simple design it has, I don't like bulky bumpers or those with lots of weird angles. The latch did rattle when I got it, but I used one of the OE spare tire carrer bumper thingys and a small spacer to the frame so it keeps just enough tension against the rear gate to stop it from rattling. For the price it was just too hard to beat for me personally. I dig the textured finish as well. I've got enough room to mount my hi lift in front of the spare tire, just haven't gotten around to it. There isn't really any way to add accessories like jerry cans but that's not much of a worry for me