1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Rear Spare Tire Carrier For 73 Cj5

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by NC73CJ5, Aug 19, 2021.

  1. Aug 19, 2021
    NC73CJ5

    NC73CJ5 Shade tree tinkerer

    North Carolina
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2020
    Messages:
    19
    Looking for suggestions on a simple way to mount my spare in the rear of my ‘73. I have the stock tiny angle iron “bumper”. I am no welder, so fabrication beyond hacksaw and bolts will be a challenge. I’ve thought about getting a late-model swing out carrier from a junk yard and figuring out a way to secure it to the bumper and frame. I don’t open my tailgate much, but don’t want to lose that option. Anyone aware of an aftermarket rear carrier to fit early / intermediates?
     
  2. Aug 19, 2021
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    Messages:
    398
  3. Aug 19, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Looks like they are in California ...

    In the Northeast there are guys that build such gear (bumpers, racks, sliders, roll cages, etc.) as a side business. I presume there are similar individuals or shops in your area. You might find them on the local Jeep/4x4 boards, or maybe through your local clubs. If you can't design and build such things yourself, it might be a better to seek out such a business locally.
     
  4. Aug 19, 2021
    Dale Park

    Dale Park Member

    Utah
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2021
    Messages:
    112
    Strong 2nd vote for Dirtworx. I just purchased their front and rear bumpers for my 72 CJ5 and they look great. Craftsmanship and design is excellent. They are located in Cedar City, UT. Their current lead time is about 2-4 weeks and they are shipped to you raw(unpainted steel) all welded so you can pick how you want to finish them The swing out tire carrier is very robust and mounting was very simple. You can also get them to hold dual 5gal Jerry can or the rotopack style for gas/water. They also have the mounts for a hi-lift jack to go on horizontal. Definitely not the most least cost, but well worth in my opinion.
     
  5. Aug 19, 2021
    NC73CJ5

    NC73CJ5 Shade tree tinkerer

    North Carolina
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2020
    Messages:
    19
    This is exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate the information and recommendation.
     
  6. Aug 19, 2021
    Jeepsterjim

    Jeepsterjim Member

    Lincoln, CA
    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2019
    Messages:
    401
    At the swivel point, are they using a greaseable bushing or bearings?
     
  7. Aug 20, 2021
    Dale Park

    Dale Park Member

    Utah
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2021
    Messages:
    112
    It is a greasable machined surface. I did not see any bushings but is a very close tolerance fit. I greased both sides prior to sliding it down on bumper, then gave it about 3 pumps of grease. It has o-rings top and bottom. I now have mine loaded with 2- 5gallon jerry cans, spare tire, hi-lift jack and it opens and closes very easily and no sagging where it closes to the bumper.

    So far very pleased with how it is put together.
     
  8. Aug 22, 2021
    Jeepsterjim

    Jeepsterjim Member

    Lincoln, CA
    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2019
    Messages:
    401
    Thanks for the reply back.
     
  9. Jan 16, 2022
    FlatlanderCJ5

    FlatlanderCJ5 Member

    Wichita, KS
    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2022
    Messages:
    151
    Hi Dale, if you have the ability to post a picture of your carrier with the two cans on there, that would be great. I have a 73 and am looking for a solution to rear mount the tire and two cans. They don't show that particular option on their website. So far I really like what I see from them and considering the price, I don't think it's out of line at all, the workmanship looks excellent. Thanks.
     
  10. Jan 16, 2022
    Dale Park

    Dale Park Member

    Utah
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2021
    Messages:
    112
    Here is a pic, l have other pics of it unmounted/unpainted also when it first arrived. Let me know if you need a pic of it mounted and carrier open and I can do that also. rear tire carrier-hi-lift2.jpg
     
  11. Jan 16, 2022
    Dale Park

    Dale Park Member

    Utah
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2021
    Messages:
    112
    The jerry cans and mounts did not come with bumper. Purchased those separately. The bumper does have the plate to bolt the mount to for the jerry cans. These are the Wavian Heavy Duty Jerry cans, all steel and very sturdy filler necks that are easy to put on to empty fuel. I got the mounts from: artemisoverland.com and the Wavian jerry cans I believe from Amazon.
     
  12. Jan 16, 2022
    FlatlanderCJ5

    FlatlanderCJ5 Member

    Wichita, KS
    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2022
    Messages:
    151
    That looks good, that helps a lot. I saw on Dirtworx website they have a carrier where the tire sits closer in to the tailgate and one can is mounted to the left of the tire. I only have 30's on my jeep (when it's all put back together) and thought maybe another can could be squeezed on the right side also. I will check with them and see if that's possible. Thanks.
     
  13. Jan 16, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    How was the service? Based on recommendations here I suggested this company to a friend of mine and he could get zero response from them so had to go a different direction. He runs a business that could have brought quite a few orders for them. This was a couple years ago though. Their product does look promising though.
     
  14. Jan 17, 2022
    Dale Park

    Dale Park Member

    Utah
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2021
    Messages:
    112
    No complaints here on service. I sent email questions and they were answered by next day. The only thing I am going to add on the rear bumper is some 2" strapping 1/4" from the mounts on the bumper and fabricate to bolt up under on the frame rail similar to how the OEM trailer hitch had the strap/arms going back up on the frame. Right now it has 4 per side 1/2" bolts that go through the frame support bar and I feel it needs more support especially if I was being towed out from behind. I don't think that 3/16" frame support between the two rails is near tough enough. The front bumper mounting uses about 5 mount points on each side and are to the frame.

    Rear mounting pic below. It is my plan to add the strap to the outside 1/2" bolts and fab so it fits back to the frame.
    Dirtworx rear mounting small.jpg
    This is a pic of it temp mounted before paint
    Dirtworx rear test fit.jpg
     
    NC73CJ5, Ol Fogie and FlatlanderCJ5 like this.
New Posts