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Teraflex Tire Carrier for 35

17K views 44 replies 29 participants last post by  get1on 
#1 ·
Just got a set of 35s and need to get a new tire carrier. After some research the teraflex seemed like the best option aside from a new bumper. Question is, do I need just the hinged carrier, adjustable carrier, or both? Hoping I can get just the adjustable carrier as it's the cheapest of the 3 options. If I need both I might as well just get a new bumper. Emailed teraflex and didn't get a response yet so hoping someone will have some insight.
 
#3 ·
You don't need both the hinge and the carrier. The adjustable carrier will let you mount the 35 on there just fine. But with the extra weight, you should get both otherwise your tailgate with get damaged over time.

I have both and they work perfect. Excellent products.
 
#6 ·
Yep...you're missing a lot of choices. When I started looking for a tire carrier, I didn't consider the treaflex because of the price. I wanted a tire carrier that opened with the tailgate but I didn't like anything out there. I found stuff I could have settled for but I didn't want to spend that much to just settle on something. For the price of a decent carrier/bumper combo, I was able to get the teraflex and a bumper that I really liked.
 
#8 ·
Emailed teraflex and didn't get a response yet so hoping someone will have some insight.
Funny you mention that detail. I emailed (or sent from their web contact form, can't remember) a simple yes/no type pre-sales question about a product some time last year. Never heard a peep from them.

Their HD hinge does seem like a great product though.
 
#14 ·
I just spoke with a Teraflex representative yesterday about this very issue. He explained to me that during engineering and testing they found the rear quarter panel of our JKs to be substantially strong and reinforced unlike the Tjs. He also stated they hung a 37 inch tire/ beadlocked wheel combo and had the 160lb engineers weight on the thing before any signs of stress were registered.

So in all regards our stock hinges are really not the weak part of the whole setup, it's the seperated stock wheel carrier that's mounted to the flimsy sheet metal that is the problem.

The whole reason why I am considering this over a bumper/ tire carrier is of several reasons. First I like to keep the weight down as I already have a lcog build, second being I have a two door I use my rear storage quite often and didn't want the hassle of opening two sets of latches to get into the compartment.
 
#11 ·
If you actually off-road with your rig and hit the go pedal once in a while like I do in the desert then put the weight on the frame with the AEV or Maximus-3. The Teraflex is the cleanest looking option but not as weight bearing for longevity in the long run.
 
#16 ·
The TF carrier is adjustable for the BS on your wheel, as well as the height. It fit my AEV Pinter on the stock carrier and hinge with a bfg km2 35". It measures more like 34". I also had a barricade rear bumper on it though. I like the TF hinge and carrier because I use the gate a lot. It is much sturdier. You can also adjust to get the wheel right up against the gate. The studs are a pain to get in. I destroyed two lugs getting them set. I'm very happy with the TF rig.
 
#17 ·
$700 for the 2 pieces is the same amount I paid for my front and rear bumper, and the tire carrier...
07 15 JK Jeep Wrangler Heavy Duty Rock Crawler Front Rear Bumper Tire Carrier | eBay
if you buy 3 items from this seller you get 10% off the entire order, so I bought a couple of $8 items to get the $77 off...
I haven't mounted them yet but I have unwrapped them and prepped them for paint {I am matching them to the body color} and they look good, decent materials and welds...
 
#20 ·
I use just the TF adjustable carrier for my 35's with 17" Level 8 Trackers. I've had the setup for about 9 months and probably 6500 miles with no issues yet. I have not done any hard offroading. Been keeping an eye on it since it's pothole season, but it hasn't loosened or started rattling even with the extra jarring.
 
#21 ·
You can find a cheaper version of anything. See above.
The TF is indeed pricey- but there was also a thread on here that had a gazillion customer reviews with no issues. Quality, well designed, doesn't rattle, smooth operation, lock-out feature, perfect fit the first time. Some people don't think about vertical placement of the spare- half the people I wheel with can't see out of the back of their Jeep because the spare sits too high. Not with the TF. Or they sound like a squeaky mattress every time they hit a rock. Or the carrier falls off- with the tire attached.
I ran the hinge only on my 35s with the stock carrier & bumper- beat the crap out of it wheeling and it did just fine. I bought a new Hansen bumper- and spent so much time debating its fitment with the fenders I wanted that I didn't think about the TF carrier. Unfortunately the tire hit the bumper lip so I had to get the TF carrier. Otherwise I would have just run the hinge. (There were plenty of options for the bumper that would have worked with the TF- but I have Pure Jeep/Hansen sliders so I wanted the rear from them as well.)
 
#22 ·
So another vote for stock carrier with TF hinge. I think ill just order the hinge for now and check fitment. Like that fact of pulling it in closer but might be close as is who knows.

Oh 35x12.5x17 km2 with 4.75 bs if there is going this be any issues let me know thanks.
 
#27 ·
I just installed the Teraflex hinge last night... I went with just the hinge and not their carrier. (35 inch tire). It sits a little on the bumper so I think it will be supported enough.

I'm impressed with the quality! It's also a very easy install.
Were you able to use the stock 3rd brake light with this set up?
I'm thinking of going the hinge only route but I want to make sure I can run the stock brake light mount on a 315/70r17
 
#25 ·
In the case of mine, I have the AEV rear bumper. I was able to get the hinge/carrier combo cheaper than I could the AEV carrier, and in addition, it keeps the tire low and centered so I still have some rear window. Most carriers put it up higher and completely block the rear window.
 
#34 ·
Put my hinge and accessory mount on this weekend without any problems at all. That bare metal under the hinge is already looking nasty on my 14'. Cleaned it up but will probably take it all apart again in the future and do something about that.

Hinge and mount are well made/fitted products. Waiting for my rotopax stuff to get in to start hanging stuff off it all.
 
#37 ·
I installed the HD hinge on my '13 JKU about a year ago. Figured I would spread the cost of hinge + tire carrier + inexpensive steel bumper out instead of spending $1500+ at one shot for the Fab Fours rear bumper and carrier I would want if going that route. Figured I would put off the TF carrier until I went larger than 32" stock tire. This weekend I had the spare off for a CB antenna mount install and saw a crack in the top of the stock carrier - from just the 32" BFG KM tire. So now I have the TF carrier ready to be installed.

A couple questions:
1. Will the stock 32" tire fit this carrier? Concern is the huge backspacing on the stock wheel rim. I think the specs on this wheel/tire combo are 7.5" wide rim, 5.5" BS, and 10" section width on the tire. So the deep BS on the rim is offset a bit by the narrow section width of the tire.
2. I will eventually be going to a 35" tire. Until then, can I just set up the studs for the lug nuts at the position recommended for 35" tire and use this position with the smaller tire?
 
#38 ·
You should be fine as far as the bs I believe. It has a lot of travel in the adjustable carrier mount. I would recommend putting the studs in the 35 location for sure. They are a real pain to get in there without a press. I destroyed two lugs pressing them in that way. I doubt they come out very easy.
 
#43 ·
I purchased the hinged carrier on eBay for $375 and that was it.

As mentioned already, the factory third light will still work with a 35" tire.

Depending on the wheel offset, you may or may not need the adapter. I used an old 1.5-inch wheel spacer instead; works like charm.

BTW, the spare tire does NOT need to touch those rubber bump stops, especially not when the TeraFlex hinged carrier is installed. The carrier is plenty sturdy to steady the tire without their support. Besides, who really wants to have to lift 120 lbs of 35" spare tire and wheel, and then have to push it against against those bump stops while fumbling with the other hand to secure the lug nuts.

Good luck,

Aldo
 
#44 ·
I purchased the hinged carrier on eBay for $375 and that was it.

As mentioned already, the factory third light will still work with a 35" tire.

Depending on the wheel offset, you may or may not need the adapter. I used an old 1.5-inch wheel spacer instead; works like charm.

BTW, the spare tire does NOT need to touch those rubber bump stops, especially not when the TeraFlex hinged carrier is installed. The carrier is plenty sturdy to steady the tire without their support. Besides, who really wants to have to lift 120 lbs of 35" spare tire and wheel, and then have to push it against against those bump stops while fumbling with the other hand to secure the lug nuts.
Good luck,

Aldo
I disagree and so does Teraflex. If you use stock carrier and do not have the tire pushed against a bump stop it will cause the pot metal to break. Read TF instructions on using their carrier with hinge and they tell you the same thing. It needs to be pushed up against the hinge. It is easy as the lugs are long enough to hold the wheel in place then you tighten the lug nuts and it pushes the tire against the hinge.
 
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