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Spare Tire Carrier: Side Or Rear?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by OverEngineer, Aug 30, 2017.

  1. Aug 30, 2017
    OverEngineer

    OverEngineer Member

    Iowa
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2008
    Messages:
    69
    Looking for opinions based on experience. Steel rim with 750x16 tires.

    Side mount vs body mounted rear swing with the two Gerry can holders vs the fold down? All of these are correct factory or OEM dealer options. Which do you prefer, or detest due to your experience?
     
  2. Aug 31, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    Side mount OEM is what I have.
    But there is always the chance of taking out the mailbox, and on tight trails it can catch trees. Seriously.

    Rear mounted swing can rip the body apart just from gravity.
     
  3. Aug 31, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Rear mounted carriers hamper access to the rear of the Jeep. I don't like having to swing a tire carrier out of the way to open the hatch of the hard top or the tail gate. I've had rear carriers twice and both times I took them back off. Fold down would never work for me.
     
  4. Aug 31, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    Me too. I keep thinking, "How bad could it be?"
    Bad. The rattles, the inconvenience of accessing the tailgate, the loss in rearward visibility...

    But the side mount also has its drawbacks. Catching on obstacles as Pete said, the inability to run tires wider than stock, body rot behind the mount...

    Pick your poison.

    I've contemplated not bringing a spare, and just carrying a plug kit for minor holes and a tube for major ones in conjunction with onboard air. That would cover 99% of flats.

    I ride some seriously remote areas on my dirt bike, and a patch kit and a hand pump is good enough for that. Why carry a whole spare on a jeep? Just a thought...
     
    Rich M. likes this.
  5. Aug 31, 2017
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
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    1,450
    I prefer rear and fold down. My fold down rear mount doesn't rattle one bit and it has no weight on the body so it won't rip it apart. I feel like it's just a matter of time with a side mount to snag it on something.
     
  6. Aug 31, 2017
    Snouts out

    Snouts out Member

    Covedale OH
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2016
    Messages:
    80
    Side mount is the best if you work your jeep,the tail gate can be utilized! Rear mounted is military style, CJ stands for civilian jeep!
     
  7. Aug 31, 2017
    Mark Wahlster

    Mark Wahlster Member

    Silverton, OR
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2015
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    386
    Always had a Tailgate Military style mount on the 2A. We never used the tailgate. This time around I am building a Swing away style mount that can swing either direction. It will have internal support in the Wheel houses for the pivots that ties from the Roll bar plate down to the frame. SO no weight on the sheet metal.
     
  8. Aug 31, 2017
    1967 CJ5A

    1967 CJ5A Mike 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Raleigh, NC
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    May 12, 2012
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    I have a Jeep with an original side mount and a Jeep with a rear swing out that holds the tire and two jerry cans. I much prefer the looks of the side mount, but the swing out is so much better when off road. I never found it too inconvenient to swing it out before opening the tailgate. The side mount is in constant jeopardy of being ripped off, and if your tires are any bigger than stock, the spare will rub against the rear tire when articulated.
     
  9. Aug 31, 2017
    James Robbins

    James Robbins jrobb

    Atlanta
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    Messages:
    121
    I am interested in putting in a side mount myself (for my '73 cj). I know abut the "exterior" mount element and what element will it take on the "inside" of the rear wheel well to shore up the side mount?
     
  10. Aug 31, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,102
    There's a hat channel & a brace that go in there

    [​IMG]

    -
    1951-1971 Jeep CJ5, M38A1

    upload_2017-8-31_11-13-4.jpeg
     
  11. Aug 31, 2017
    James Robbins

    James Robbins jrobb

    Atlanta
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
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    121
    Thanks fro the pic! Any detail (diagram?) as to how the mounting elements are affixed both inside and outside of the wheel well?
     
  12. Aug 31, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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  13. Aug 31, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Wouldn't a '73 already have the braces inside?
     
  14. Aug 31, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    mine is on rear . yep it rattles . when you hit a bump
     
  15. Aug 31, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It's one of those areas where personal preference pretty much rules. :coffee::)
     
  16. Aug 31, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    If you don't have a winch you can always stuff it behind the front bumper.
     
  17. Aug 31, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
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    I like rear tire carrier that is swing out - I mounted mine as part of a bumper system that is mounted to the rear crossmember and also the rear frame rails (had to remove the OEM drawbar). It doesn't rattle or make noise even with a 33inch tire and 5 gal gas can - a lot of that depends on how the swing arm is latched in place on the bumper I like having tailgate access to the rear of my jeep and this seemed to be the best solution - although it certainly changes it from stock. Previously I had a rear mount that was fixed on the body and didn't swing out (from the PO) - really hated the lack of easy access to the rear of the jeep (especially with top on) and it did some body damage and rot.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
  18. Aug 31, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    If you have a rear seat, having the tailgate is pretty much a moot point anyway. I have a home made rear swing down carrier, it mounts on to the frame in the drawbar mounting holes, and pins in the tailgate chain holes. I can access the tailgate if need be, which isn't very often, it's lightweight, holds the tire well, and doesn't rattle at all. I think it's the best solution for a spare tire carrier on a Jeep.
     
    Muzikp likes this.
  19. Aug 31, 2017
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
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    Agree. Mine pivots (folds down) at the part it's mounted to frame and is bolted thru the body/tailgate tabs. It has zero rattle and still allows access to tailgate with the removal of the two bolts thru the tailgate.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Aug 31, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    Rear swing...........or bumper mounted swing off bearing.........side mounts are good for grocery getting , ripping up your body or running into things............but not good for trails , trees and rocks..............I still think the old 1970's body mounted swing versions by aftermarket suppliers that held a tire and two 5 gallon cans were the hot set-up. Never had a problem with them......
     
    jeepermc likes this.
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