Topic: 33 on stock carrier

[stan98tj]

anyone here carrying 33s (or larger) on the stock tailgate carrier? My spare is on the stock carrier now but doesnt sit flush as the bumper gets in the way, so it's tilted and allows me to only put in 2 lugs to hold it in. i dont really like the way it looks and id like to get a spacer to have it sit flush but i wonder if the weight of the 33 will end up damaging my tailgate. I sort of wanted to avoid having to shell out $$ for a swing away carrier.
here is how my tire sits now:

[Jeffy]

The weight isn't the problem.  If there is any play in the tire, it will tear the sheet metal of the tailgate.  SO you need to make sure the rubber bumpers are pressing against the tire.  I used ABS tubing to create a spacer.

The problem you have, you'll either need to make a spacer that raises the tire up or else remove the bumper.

[stan98tj]

The weight isn't the problem.  If there is any play in the tire, it will tear the sheet metal of the tailgate.  SO you need to make sure the rubber bumpers are pressing against the tire.  I used ABS tubing to create a spacer.

The problem you have, you'll either need to make a spacer that raises the tire up or else remove the bumper.

Is there anyway to move the rubber bumpers out? Ive only come across 2 options so far. Rough country sells a spacer that goes on the stock carrier and Olympic sells a replacement carrier. The olympic option seems to set the tire away from the tailgate-this will get my tire to sit flat-but with it set off further away from the tailgate im afraid it will give it some leverage and start to pull at the gate. If i can extend those rubber bumpers perhaps this wont be much of a problem.

[sharpxmen]

Is there anyway to move the rubber bumpers out? Ive only come across 2 options so far. Rough country sells a spacer that goes on the stock carrier and Olympic sells a replacement carrier. The olympic option seems to set the tire away from the tailgate-this will get my tire to sit flat-but with it set off further away from the tailgate im afraid it will give it some leverage and start to pull at the gate. If i can extend those rubber bumpers perhaps this wont be much of a problem.

like Jeffy said, cut spacers out of ABS pipe from Home Depot plumbing department (or the hardware store of your choice).

[Bounty Hunter]

My tailgate has lasted a long time with the 35" tire currently on there.

I'd recommend moving the lugs up on the carrier just enough so tire rests slightly on the bumper when the tailgate is closed.  This will help take some of the weight off the tailgate hinges and place it on the bumper.

[stan98tj]

Bounty hunter, did you move yours up? if so, did you just fab a new bracket/carrier? Would you mind putting up a pic?
Jeffy, can i see a pic of the stops you made?

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12008_9202_07.htm
this olympic carrier on quadratec says it moves the tire up and out. If i can move the stops to contact it, it should be fine. However, i was reading a thread on jeepforum where a guy was saying it didnt move the tire up at all.

[jagular7]

I'm thinking your mount has been remounted upside down. (Mount should be 2 bolts up, 1 bolt dwn for the spare). I carry a 35" tire on my stock tire carrier. I also keep it tight against the tailgate so I had to space out the bumps on the tg. I do have an aftermarket bumper and have a 1.25" body lift. So that probably helps clear the bumper.

Couple things you can do. 1 - cut off the stock lugs, weld on flat plate on the face, and weld on 1/2-13 bolts Gr5 or 8 bolts. Make sure the plate is big enough to mount your wheel high enough to clear your bumper.

2 - aftermarket has a tire carrier spacer with raises the spare higher, but it also pushes it out farther away from the tg. Not a real good option.


You don't want the spare to vibrate. So you want to keep it against the tg.

[stan98tj]

I'm thinking your mount has been remounted upside down. (Mount should be 2 bolts up, 1 bolt dwn for the spare). I carry a 35" tire on my stock tire carrier. I also keep it tight against the tailgate so I had to space out the bumps on the tg. I do have an aftermarket bumper and have a 1.25" body lift. So that probably helps clear the bumper.


2 - aftermarket has a tire carrier spacer with raises the spare higher, but it also pushes it out farther away from the tg. Not a real good option.


You don't want the spare to vibrate. So you want to keep it against the tg.

i share the same concern about the aftermarket one...moving it out wouldnt be good. Dont think the mount was ever removed, but ill check to make sure it isnt upside down. Stock bumper and no body lift is working against me. my mount needs to come up, or i need to get a swing arm.

[Bounty Hunter]

I simply moved my lugs up, far enough that I started by welding a plate to the face of the carrier to extend it upward.

My spare is 6lug so I had to do the work anyway LOL.

[Newbeme]

What I did to get my 33 to fit on the stock carrier was lower the stock rear bumper. I unbolted it and then held it in place against the bottom of the tire. When I got it marked I oblonged the holes and bolted it back on. Now the tire is against the rubber spacers and sits on the bumper. There's little to no bounce this way.

[Bounty Hunter]

The holes you oblonged are in an already weak crossmember that is prone to rust.  That's one area I'd be adding metal to, not taking away.

[neale_rs]

It would be better to just remove the bumper.  But the tire does end up kind of low and drags on steep climbs so it is better to raise it a bit.

[stan98tj]

i agree with raising it.