Spare Tire Mount

I'd like to mount a spare on my '73 cj5. Currently, I seem to have nothing on the external body to do this. Where and how do I mount one? Side? Back (I have a tail gate on rear)?

 

With a tailgate I believe the spare was side-mounted on the rear passenger side. A swing-away tire carrier that mounted on the back was an option, not sure if it was available in 73, definitely 74 and 75 had the option. Last I looked you can get the side mount aftermarket but you may have to look to see if it is still available. If you want a swing-away they are hard to find but not terribly difficult to fab up if you are handy with a welder.

 

Not sure if you're looking to buy one or build one. Here's some pictures of mine, if you're looking for ideas. Mine's a '72, but I think your '73 is pretty much the same. My apologies if I'm incorrect on that assumption however. I built this one about twenty years ago and will soon be building a different one. Mine currently doesn't swing out; it's bolted to the bumper and the body at the tailgate. While it serves it's purpose well (I like how it doesn't rattle like a lot of cheap swing-out carriers tend to do), I'd like to build a better one which swings out.

 

http://cj3b.info/Tech/TailgateSpare.html Ideas page...swing-aways near the end/bottom


My home-built on a 1978 CJ7-- very heavy duty on a home-built bumper,

 

A lot of the original bolt-on swing-outs would tear the body apart. Even the OEM Jeep side mount was hard on the sheet metal.

Look for, or build, a mount that transfers the load to the frame.

 

The one on my 73 is a swing down. Most of the load is carried on the rear frame.

 

I'd say careful if you decide to put one on the side of the jeep. I remember a day out with my dad when I was but a youngster and he to the side mounted spare of his 75 cj5 against a dirt bank and tore the tire and mount off the side of the jeep. Mom made a frownie face.

 

Thanks. I saw a commercial with a '73 that has is side mounted on the passenger side..I guess that is the apparatus I am looking for...

 

Mine came with a swing out. It was an early version, but bolted to the body and wouldn't stay latched. besides tearing the body up. I don't have a tailgate, and also needed a bumper. I built a bumper/tire carrier out of 2X4 tubing.. No swing out..

 

Correct Focker. That (the apparatus) is what I had in mind but it sounds like folks out there are not enthusiastic about its viability..

 

As I recall there is a bracket that the spare attaches to. But the bracket is mounted to teh body and causes [problems when used. The other issue that I have with this setup is that it sticks out. Many places i go are too narrow with a side spare.

The bracket is available. Here:Spare Tire Bracket

Also: Jeep side mount spare - Google Search

 

I will check. Thanx for the advice and input. One more question. I need to replace the passenger side clip/clamp that secures (to dash) the windshield in an upright position. Any clue where I might get a replacement? Thanx in advance!

 

Thanx!

 

In my experience, the side-mounted spare works fine if 1) you put a factory sized tire and wheel on it (ie a small tire and wheel by today's standards) and 2) you don't hit anything with the tire. The bracket bolts to the fender, and the fender has reinforcements on the inside from the factory. Any Jeep with a tailgate should have holes for the brackets and the reinforcements inside the fender.

This is for the CJ-3B, but the CJ-5 will be similar if not identical. http://cj3b.info/Tech/Spare.html

 

Perfect!!! Just what I needed to see. Thank you all!

 

This is the clamp for earlier Jeeps - Windshield Clamp to Dash MB, GPW, CJ2A, CJ3A, M38, DJ - I assume this is what you want. Seems there is no aftermarket source for the CJ-5 ones, but you should be able to find a used one by posting in the WTB section here, or from one of the Jeep junkyards.