Custom Extended Spare Tire Bumpers for Aftermarket Tire/Wheel Combos

[Timmy]

Hey Pickles.

I can't tell from your pics for sure, but it looks like you might be running the stock tire carrier?

For what it's worth, I have a 44 offset (pretty big offset) and I'm using a TeraFlex HD tire carrier on the door and my tire is pushed as close as any tire you've ever seen because the mount provides horizontal adjustments in/out. I literally have to open up my gate to full extension to even lift the glass because my tire is so close to rear gate that it hits the glass if you try to open it and the gate isn't FULLY open.

I'd really urge you to upgrade to one of the HD carriers (either TeraFlex, Rugged Ridge, etc.) as I'd be concerned you'll rip your mounts right out of the door or crack the mount with the setup you have. Even though you extended the bump stops considerably to make sure they touch the tire, your tire is hanging out so far that it is creating a ton of added pressure on those mounts any time you go over bumps. I wouldn't be surprised if your tire is actually exerting more vertical force on the mount with that setup than my 37" tires are exerting on my mount. You, being the wonderful geek that you are, probably know the formula by heart for force exerted by an object as it is moved further from the fulcrum. Judging by your pictures and what you said of the distance, and in viewing my own Jeep, I'd say you are cantilevered out at least 4.5" further than me. (When I tighten down my lug nuts it actually squishes my rubber bumper at LEAST 1/2"+). Depending on how many bumps you go over or the amount of off-roading you do, I'd give your mounts for the tire carrier about a year before you start to see cracks on the inside of the rear gate where the mounts are located or cracks in the mount itself.

The one other nice thing about the HD carriers is they usually have vertical adjustment as well. In addition to my tire being pushed as close as possible to the gate, I also have it mounted about as low as a 37" tire can be with the stock bumper. Jeeps that mount the tire high look really cool, and it helps keep your tire from hitting the ground if you hit an obstacle at high angles of attack, BUT... you can't see crap out the back window. My tire sits just a hair higher than stock tire height so I still get to use my rear view mirror.

Anyway, take it for what it's worth. I'd just hate to see your mounts fail because the tire is kicked out so much further than stock.

[Including some pics to show the concern]






Teraflex, in addition to having horizontal and vertical adjustment to keep the tire as close as possible, transfers as much of the weight as possible to the support column at the corner of the Jeep and off the rear gate itself. It also has mounting points for a jack or other peripherals. I do realize the entire HD mount is pricey, but it was worth it to me so I didn't break anything and it didn't require that I change my rear bumper (or limit my rear bumper options.)