Rear Mounted Spare Tire?

[Kevin]

I have been debating purchasing a rear mounted spare tire carrier for some time. I currently have my spare mounted to the safari rack on top of my '95 XJ. I already have the Tomken replacement rear bumper, so I was leaning toward their spare tire carrier and possibly adding the high lift jack mount as well.

I'm looking for any thoughts and experiences people may have with this particular product or ones that are similar and what I can expect for added length to the XJ and visibility. I want to make sure I can still park the XJ in the garage.

I've got a '95 with 3" lift and I am running 31x10.50's.

 

[CRASH]

They are very hard on the "frame". Constantly backing into mine and dragging it on rocks finally broke/collapsed the frame.

Theyfree up a lot of space, but if your wheeling gets done in deep rocks, they are not the best for the longevity of your frame. Now, I use the spare tire carrier only during hunting season, when it's time to wheel, I pull the carrier off. It only take 5 minutes to remove.

Here's a picture of the drivers side "frame" rail, where the fuel filler hose goes through. (That's my Port-a-Power cylinder in there, straightening everything back out.)

CRASH

 

[ChuckD]

ZPD, made a killer tire carrier, it adjusts so it gets out of the way durring wheeling and down when driving down the road for a better rear view.

http://www.xjworld.4wdriver.com/tirecarrier/tc.html

 

[juicexj24]

I had the tomken rear bumper years ago. I did crack the frame where the bumper bolts to coming down a ledge. I have been looking into getting a new one or making one. Custom 4x4 fab makes a nice rear bumper that tucks up tight. I would use the Tomken tire carrier on it because I have the knob latch for it. Just haven't gotten around to buying it yet. But the the big thing is what type of wheeling are you going to do and what is type of frame supports do they use to hold the weight and give the frame a prayer. Juice

 

[65_Toy]

I've had a Tomken bumper, with tire carrier, on my XJ since it was two months old ('96). The only problem I've had is; the carrier needs to be re-adjusted every year or two, and it will rattle over washboards. I've got 165k on the Jeep and the carrier has been there for proably 160k at least.

I just bought the "new-improved" latching device and last year I added the hi-lift Jerry can carrier. I am going to reinforce the stock bumper mount locations, but only because it will make me feel better.

It is heavy, but I like mine. Any strong bumper will transfer "shock" from landing on the bumper to the frame.

 

[Rev Den]

I have the Tomken system. The bumper has tabs that bolt to the trailer hitch, that greatly reduces the strain on the stock bumper mounts. 8 years, 180K miles, no problems yet. If you did not, or could not, bolt it to the hitch, I can see where it would tax your mounts to the limit.

Rev

 

[65_Toy]

Mine came with long thick metal rails that you put down the frame rails and then you had to bolt those rails to the frame and the bumper to a portion of the insert that sticks out the rear of the frame.
Mine has the built-in receiver.

Yeah, otherwise I don't see how those eight bolts could hold up a heavy bumper, tire, and etc.

 

[BillR]

I have the C4x4 set-up. It also has frame tie-ins, and feels really solid. It doesn't rattle or squeek at all. My frame's also beefed up back there by the OEM hitch, so I don't think it's going anywhere.

 

[Markm80521]

So i have heard several complaints about the tire on top. Is that because of inconvenience or is there something more to that.

Also I removed my OEM hitch as I caught it on a ledge sliding back down and crimped the frame. The OEM hitch acted as leverage from the way it bolts to the rails..

 

[KY Chris]

I have had my spare tire (32" swamper radial) on my roof and on a tire carrier I built at different times and didn't care for either. On the roof rack was a hassle getting to, made in a little top heavy and taller than I liked. My biggest complaint with it on the back was that it was hard to see around and made getting into the hatch a pain. I finally lost the rack and the carrier and now I just keep the tire in the back when I go wheeling.

KY Chris

 

[Lucas]

Mine came with long thick metal rails that you put down the frame rails and then you had to bolt those rails to the frame and the bumper to a portion of the insert that sticks out the rear of the frame.
Mine has the built-in receiver.

Yeah, otherwise I don't see how those eight bolts could hold up a heavy bumper, tire, and etc.

I have the tomken too and I bent the crap out of those rails so now the bumper looks like its pointing down at the ground a little bit. I was backing down a set of steps with a carload of people and the hitch hit the ground and bent the crap out of everything. I think thats why im going to keep the spare in the hatch. If I ever go to a bigger tire I think I'll try a carrier.

 

[vintagespeed]

Back when I was planning on keeping the back half of my Heep, I was going to build an internal cage with a swing down carrier that would hold the tire tight up against the roof on the inside in the cargo area. This would leave the floor space for tools & stuff and keep the tire high enough to give some headroom for the rear seats.

 

[Georgia Mike]

So i have heard several complaints about the tire on top. Is that because of inconvenience or is there something more to that.

I really don't care for anything being on my roof. Around here,a lot of the trails go deep into the woods where there are low hanging tree branches,off camber situations that will push you over into trees and so forth. It's always been in my best interest to keep all that stuff off (and from hanging over the edge) of the roof. It will almost certainly get ripped off,get in the way,or at least damaged,when that sort of stuff is up there. 90% of the roof racks I see are just for the "wow" factor,as they usually only have a spare tire,a Hi-Lift,and maybe a shovel on them,and nothing else. That stuff can be mounted inside,out of the way,in an easier spot to get to. As for the spare,if you're running tires bigger than 30's,I'd go for a swing out carrier,30's and under can be inside in the factory location. Just my $.02

 

[Markm80521]

Makes since Mike. I put the rack on top of mine because I also put my camping/ fishing gear in a travel bag up top. That way I can simply strap the tools and cooler down in back. Get to a site, unload the roof rack, setup camp, go wheeling and fishing. I have had the rack knock a few things when I first got it but it just means that I have to watch above as well. One nice thing is I can pull it into trees and run three tarps (back and sides) as canopies for dry cover when wheeling/camping with others.

Where are you in Georgia? I grew up in atlanta and use to hunt a lot around sandersville. Have some relatives in Blue Ridge and went to school in Athens.

 

[Georgia Mike]

I'm in Flowery Branch. It's about 40 miles north of ATL,and about the same distance west from Athens. Good location! An hour from Beasley,45 min. from Rich Mtn.,and an hour and 45 minutes from Tellico!

I can see the point in a rack if it's a genuine neccesity. I never would have thought about the tarp idea,sounds pretty cool!

 

[mark]

im making an inside tire carrier this çlekdnd 4k gdt mX-spare ?cf ly r`k, and so lakehy rack�~seable again, a 32"swamper didnt leave much room for me to carry rtuf6*on my ’dck at `bl. hopjfully 9%can po’v snme `cs of D`e thing next week.

 

[mark]

almost exacly what im building, ill snz some @jcs whe~'itr do¾n and p.~t them

 

[vintagespeed]

If you're under 35's then inside on the floor or even standing up like the stock location works fine. 35's & bigger = no bueno.

 

[azxjman]

I am also having the same problem where to put my 35 spare I have a roofrack but I havent put it on for fear of ripping it off Is the bumper mount the only other place? I was thinking of mouting inside on the roof with some kind of frame what do you guys think?

 

[EricsXJ]

As with anything there will be advantages and disadvantages. Personally I love my spare on the rear tire carrier. Yes I have rubbed the tire coming off a rock once but now I'm aware that can happen and can prepare for it if I'm in that situation again. But I think there are far more disadvantages to having it mounted in other places. On the roof: Much higher COG (you also need a rack too), hoisting it up and down a big pain, and wind drag. Inside: A 35 laying flat would take up ALL cargo space, and laying it flat or standing it up you'd need to put your rear seat down right? You also better have it secured down in case you get in an accident or roll-over.

As for the weight on the rear bumper cracking the frame - well I guess you need a better mounting system. I have the AEV carrier and the 1/4" mounting brackets to the frame rail are second to NONE from what I've seen. Mounts also to the stock locations plus one additional location on the body.