Pre-runner tire carrier

[jlogandro]

I have a 97 XJ I am building for pre-running. Does anyone know of a tire carrier worthy of holding a 33 inch tire secure for pre-running that does not require cutting through/removing the rear hatch? I need to use the jeep as a DD for the next few yrs; so I want to retain access to the rear hatch somehow. Thank you

 

[GrimmJeeper]

anything external (like a bumper mounted swing out) is going to break off, going fast in the rough stuff just tosses them around too much. look into either mounting it in the stock location (I fit a 33 there and still was able to use the rear seat, but the tire was an an angle), or mounting it flat on the floor of the rear cargo area. that way you can still put things on top of or around it.

 

[tone]

Or you can make/have someone make something like this...

 

[TJDualsport]

tone any more pics of that setup?

 

[grandrunner]

hers mine. not an xj. but a zj. u get the idea.

 

[CumminsJeep]

^ I really like the way that looks. Very clean and very practical. Nice job dude.

 

[xcm]

heres my bedcage/tire carrier with a 33". i strap it.

 

[ktm racer 419]

mine is bumper mounted and 1/4 guard mounted. it doesn't move at all at speed. granted i dont hit 3 foot deep whoops for hours at a time. but she has gotten air at speed and hit a couple whoop sections at just the wrong speed, so that my back end would hop up a few feet in the air before crashing down. doesn't make any noise, doesn't touch the hatch. I can't speak for how the unibody will hold up with it mounted this way as its only been on for about a month, but so far no issues.

i dont really have any close up pics, but you get the idea.

i used 7/8 heims (probably overkill) and some tube adapters for the hinged points


also with the hinges offset like that it opens at a wicked cool angle. it's different, I love it.

 

[tone]

tone any more pics of that setup?

Fits a 33x12.5x15 fine and can still use the back seat

 

[DualPurposeXJ]

^^^ is that a vise grip holding your hatch up?

 

[slcpunk74]

^^^ is that a vise grip holding your hatch up?

Haha thats what I use for mine too.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

i used 7/8 heims (probably overkill) and some tube adapters for the hinged points

That's probably a good thing, on the spindle mounted ones that always seems to be the weak point. I've seen 3 of them snap right off during mild speed runs. Only 1 was on an XJ, but still the same principle. That much weight hanging so far behind the rear axle really puts a lot of stress on the mounts. I like that setup you've got there ktm :thumbup:

 

[tone]

^^^ is that a vise grip holding your hatch up?

Yup, best mod ever and %100 adjustable!

 

[Zuul99]

hers mine. not an xj. but a zj. u get the idea.

Those are a niffty pair shocks, I like them A LOT :scottm:

 

[61scout80]

Yup, best mod ever and %100 adjustable!

Take a piece of PVC pipe, cut it to length of the shaft and split the side of the pipe. Snaps right on there and pulls off easy. then your vice grips could be free for other work....

 

[tone]

Take a piece of PVC pipe, cut it to length of the shaft and split the side of the pipe. Snaps right on there and pulls off easy. then your vice grips could be free for other work....

Good idea!

 

[TJDualsport]

thanks Tone! i have a buddy whose looking at something similar to yours. how did you mount it? plate and bolts or welded?

 

[tone]

thanks Tone! i have a buddy whose looking at something similar to yours. how did you mount it? plate and bolts or welded?

It's set up for either or I haven't buttoned it down yet cause I'm going to do a cage with something like this tied into it. This is pretty much a DD and doesn't see anything too hard yet so I haven't seen the need to "install" it.

 

[CumminsJeep]

I always carry a pair of vise grips for the hatch. I feel its a necessity for XJ owners

 

[xcm]

LOL. gut you're hatch, even weak struts are plenty for a fiberglass hatch.

dead hatch struts make the jeep feel ghetto imho.