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Tire carrier options?

12K views 66 replies 36 participants last post by  shiftless06 
#1 ·
I need something to hold up my 35 KM2s when I get them installed next week. I don't wheel hard, the 35's are mainly for looks as my offroading is mostly forest roads. I really was hoping not to have to drop $500 on a tire carrier if I did not really need to, but I don't want to cheap out and regret it and end up buying the $500 carrier after I already bought a $150 carrier that sucked. Anyone have experience with these?

1) Rugged Ridge Wrangler Spartacus HD Wheel Mount 11546.52 (07-17 Wrangler JK) - Free Shipping
I think this is just carrier, which might be all I need anyhow.

2) Rugged Ridge Wrangler Spartacus HD Tire Carrier Kit 11546.50 (07-17 Wrangler JK) - Free Shipping
This one looks like it has hinges and carrier for $500. Would this be the all in buy once pay one solution?

I guess my main question is, if I get the option 1, can I just buy the upgraded hinges later if I decide I need them too?
 
#4 ·
Option 2 is likely your best bet for what you're describing. It is very similar to the Teraflex tire carrier kit at a much better (ie <$500) price point. It also doesn't require a replacement rear bumper like some of the bumper mount carriers.

I didn't do enough homework and purchased the TF carrier/hinge combo on sale for $550 (Reg. $700). After receiving the TF kit, I realized their supplied rear brake light relocation bracket was a less than ideal, inexpensive solution. So I ended up purchasing their additional TF brake light extension bracket, another ($75) item. So even after shopping around for good sales I spent $625 for everything.

The Spartacus HD carrier/hinge combo also comes with a rear brake light extension bracket very similar to the optional/additional TF extension bracket. So for <$500 for the Spartacus setup you get a very similar setup as the TF setup which would put you around $775. Thus, the Spartacus is the better value. Morris 4x4 was running a promotion around Black Friday where the Spartacus carrier was $415. I'm not sure if that is still available, but good to check.

I'm happy with the TF carrier setup, but not thrilled with the price.

Another good value option is the MOR/Ryde hinge/carrier.
 
#5 ·
Take a look at the MorRyde tailgate carrier before you pull the trigger if you are trying to save some money. https://www.retrofitoffroad.com/sho...vy-duty-jk-tailgate-hinges-reinforcement-kit/
I believe that they now make a lighter duty one that costs about a $100 less but I would call them about using it with 35's and aftermarket rims before I bought it. If you do pull the trigger on either of these, make sure that you get the HD door stop or your tailgate will rip out the stock door/gate stop and you'll have to buy the Warrier products pneumatic opener/stopper to replace it. Extreme Terrain may sell these too, they carry some of the MorRyde products - just not the full line like Retrofit does.

Happy Trails,
Bob
 
#6 ·
I've got your option #2 and it's working out nicely.
Most people tend to see some surface rust on the bolts after a little while, but nothing that can't be fixed with a little black paint.
 
#7 ·
I would recommend option 2 as well. Well worth the extra money up front for peace of mind rather than breaking the spot welds on your tailgate, watching your spare tire bouncing down the road, or both. I have both the rugged ridge sparticus hinge and tire mount and couldn't be happier. I have had them on for about 8 months (part of two winters now) with no rust on the bolts as some have had. My wheel/tire combo weigh in at 98 pounds.
 
#9 ·
Yes, the additional weight of the tire will cause the welds inside of the tailgate to eventually break and it will become a much more expensive repair that you will regret.

This TF HD tire carrier install video actually shows the breaking of the welds that will occur. You want to avoid that situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URgjx2FdfvM&t=4s
 
#10 · (Edited)
View attachment 3387362

^^^I went with the TF HD Carrier Kit.

It's not cheap, but the quality is there..:happyyes:

My spare weighs in at about 90 lbs.
 

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#14 ·
If you don't sling your tailgate around you don't need a carrier. I had the stock for a few years with 35s with no issue. If you don't wanna keep it on the stock carrier then get the new DV8 carrier. Half the price of Genright, PSS, and EVO.
 
#15 ·
The tailgate breaking has nothing to do with slinging your tailgate around. It has to do with the tire being heavier than the OEM tire and the additional stress that is placed on the tire carrier and tailgate exceeding its design. The tire will bounce from hitting bumps in the road or off roading. It might not happen in 1 month, 2months, or 2 years but it will happen and you won't be happy when it does. I had my 35in tire on my stock carrier for less than 3 months. There were already stress cracks in the tire carrier.

If you had 35s on for a few years on the stock carrier you might want to inspect the inside of your rear tailgate and see if you see anything that looks like the images below or maybe you've been driving on smooth pavement and have lucked out. It starts breaking at the inside spot welds and then gets worse from there and tears the sheet metal.




 
#22 ·
On BF2016 Northridge had a great deal on the TeraFlex HD hinge <400 for easily upgrading the factory hinges. The one-piece aluminum design reinforces the two separate OEM hinge attachment points on the body for more tire weight capacity as well as adding more utility. I'm using the OEM tire carrier with the TeraFlex HD hinge and everything is rock solid. Ordered the AEV 3rd brake light kit and TeraFlex hi-lift jack mount

Bumper Automotive exterior Tire Automotive tire Auto part


Gun Trigger Firearm Auto part Gun accessory
 
#39 ·
On BF2016 Northridge had a great deal on the TeraFlex HD hinge <400 for easily upgrading the factory hinges. The one-piece aluminum design reinforces the two separate OEM hinge attachment points on the body for more tire weight capacity as well as adding more utility. I'm using the OEM tire carrier with the TeraFlex HD hinge and everything is rock solid. Ordered the AEV 3rd brake light kit and TeraFlex hi-lift jack mount



View attachment 3389298



View attachment 3389314


This is what I did also, I am just waiting on spacer to get the back tire on. I haven't tried putting the 315/70 17 KO2 because the shop told me I needed a spacer. My back is bad, so I haven't tried yet. Anyone know if I really need a spacer. I have aftermarket rim with 4.75 backspacing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#23 ·
I went with the Tactik setup from Quardatec. Same as the RR but you can get a great deal.
PM Rick @ Quadratec.
 
#27 ·
Did you get a price on how much it was going to repair or are you leaving it as is?

It would be nice, to have an idea of repair cost. I heard it's not cheap. That way, those deciding on continuing to use the stock carrier with a 35in tire know the trade off. For example pay $400-$800 now, or pay $? later and then still pay the $400-$800 after that repair.
 
#30 ·
Upgraded tire carrier is in the very near future for me, I currently have the Smittybilt 2743 Oversized Tire Carrier. It's doing the job well and many builts from Starwood uses them too. But I was thinking maybe get a back bumper with an carrier in the future, it's about the same price range as Teraflex.
 
#36 ·
I'm not too concerned with a carrier breaking. It would be the same cost to replace after it breaks (if it actually does break) as it is to replace it ahead of time . Same with the hinges. So nothing really gained spending $$ preventing these potential failure modes.
 
#37 ·
Unless your tire breaks from the carrier and bounces down the road then goes through somebody's windshield and it's gonna cost you more than a tire carrier.
 
#42 ·
315/70/17 Duratrac on stock carrier (over 1.5 years with NO ISSUES) and 4.75BS. No spacer needed.

The tire wedges nicely into the bumper so there is actually additional support from the bumper. It closes and opens just fine. I have also extended the factory tire bump stops with some heater hose.
 

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#43 ·
I went the pay once and cry once route. JCR Vanguard full-width bumper with Adventure tire carrier. Two years now and I have worked this setup out on some very rough trails loaded up with gear with zero problems.

 
#44 ·
I would absolutely go with either the Teraflex HD Hinged Carrier with Adjustable Tire Mount or the Rugged Ridge Spartacus Tire Carrier. Both are so similar in design that it's basically your own personal preference on which one you like the most. The only difference between the two is the tire mount itself.

I think it's smarter to spend the money on a quality tire carrier now, rather than having to deal with the consequences of a running a larger tire on your factory carrier in the future.

Shoot me over a PM if you want to order either the Teraflex or Rugged Ridge Tire Carrier and I'll get you setup with the forum discount code!

-Jake
 
#51 ·
I would absolutely go with either the Teraflex HD Hinged Carrier with Adjustable Tire Mount or the Rugged Ridge Spartacus Tire Carrier. Both are so similar in design that it's basically your own personal preference on which one you like the most. The only difference between the two is the tire mount itself.

I think it's smarter to spend the money on a quality tire carrier now, rather than having to deal with the consequences of a running a larger tire on your factory carrier in the future.

Shoot me over a PM if you want to order either the Teraflex or Rugged Ridge Tire Carrier and I'll get you setup with the forum discount code!

-Jake
^^^Bingo..do it right the first time!

I am real pleased with my TF HD Hinged and adjustable tire carrier. With this you can adjust the studs for up to 37" tires vertically, but the carrier also allows you to push the tire in horizontally to eliminate tire bounce!!!

It is a HD Rugged upgrade..IMO
 
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