I received one of my 5 35" Nitto trail grapplers today.
Just moving it next to the stock was a chore to say the least. I can't imagine how to take one off the tailgate to change a spare. Are there any tricks to making this easy? (other than get someone else to do it)
I only have 31's, but I would guess the secret is, never go offroad alone so you'll have at least 2 sets of hands to handle those monsters..
and for the street, get AAA...
Easiest way is to NOT get a flat. I have 35's and recently had to change one out, luckily I had help. If I have to take it off the back and Im alone, I will stand on the side of the tire so I can hold the tread side against me to help support the weight. Putting it back on the carrier sucks worse than taking it off.
My tires are not that heavy but my wheels are extremely heavy. It SUCKS putting one back on the carrier. If by myself I just have to man up and get it on, no purse straps allowed.
Poison Spyder carrier folds down. You could add spring assist relatively easy. A buddy that's in his late 60's mounted a HF electric trailer winch to his TJ and uses that to raise and lower tire.
Lol.. It was not pretty but I pulled off getting a 37 up there.
I basically rolled the tire up onto the bumper.
Holding it there, I was able to get under it and turn it so the wheel was facing me. Then with both hands lifted it onto the Cartier
^^This has long been used by off roaders. Winches used to be a lot more expensive so Hi Lift Jacks and shovels were essential.
A relative of mine who regularly runs 37x13.5-15.5 tires uses a Hi-lift with a piece of 2x6 lumber about 8-10" long on top of the lift of the jack. Over time the lift has pushed its shape into the wood and it almost fits and looks like its custom made. It becomes a one person operation to lift the tire.
getting it off the spare hanger : stand right up against it, squat down a little, bear hug it, back up, and then continue to squat down until it is close to the ground.
Getting it back up there: I roll the tire up against my legs with the "outside" of the wheel facing away from me. I then bend over and grab the spokes of the wheel. Then i squat down and pull it up onto my legs, so now the "outside" of the wheel is now facing me. At that point, the tire is resting mostly on my legs and allows me to get it lined up with the carrier and just press it on. Sounds way more complicated than it actually is. Trying to explain it is tougher than i thought... hope it helps.
getting it off the spare hanger : stand right up against it, squat down a little, bear hug it, back up, and then continue to squat down until it is close to the ground. Getting it back up there: I roll the tire up against my legs with the "outside" of the wheel facing away from me. I then bend over and grab the spokes of the wheel. Then i squat down and pull it up onto my legs, so now the "outside" of the wheel is now facing me. At that point, the tire is resting mostly on my legs and allows me to get it lined up with the carrier and just press it on. Sounds way more complicated than it actually is. Trying to explain it is tougher than i thought... hope it helps.
Getting my35 off the carrier is a little effort but doable and i'm kinda squishy. Just have to use your quads to rest it on getting it off then drop the top downpour the bottom as you squat some and let it bounce to the ground.
Getting it up on the carrier just kind of reverse that. Get on the backside of the wheel, squat some, grab he front of the wheel where you can...I have Savegres so I use the holes, lift and put the top of the tire onto your quads, and then the hard part lift out of the squat and onto the carrier lugs. *shrug*
Just get a good wrap around the spare and use your legs. Having long arms helps lol. In regards to rotating tires what makes it real easy to when putting them on the axles is getting it as close as you can with it on the ground then sit down facing it and scooch up and then put it on your legs then scooch up some more and use your legs to move it around. I used to hate rotating 35's but now its not to bad. You get smart after they kick your ass hahaha
I am old and feeble but dang I can still lift my 35/12.5-17 toyo onto the back carrier with no problem by grabbing it at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and just lifting it up to the carrier. I guess running a jack hammer for 10 hours a day was good for something.
Depends on your size and possibly age. I'm 46, 185 pounds and can still lift 100+ lbs tire. Not super easy, but you can do it. My 110# wife, not so much.
That being said, I had my 15 year old son help me rotate the Jeep tires tonight. He's 130 pounds and couldn't lift it. LOL
Just remember to lift with your back, not your legs. /sarcasm
What do you guys use to remove the lug bolts? I just got my 35s and the new bolts are 13/16 size. I tried to takeoff with 12 inch wrench and an Impact driver. Didn't budge. How the heck do you get them off on the trail if needed? Are mine tightened too tight? Or am I using the wrong tool? I am a 130 pound girl... But if they are torqued to proper weight I would think I could get them off?
If you can't get them off with an impact driver something is wrong... A brave six year old should be able to get them off with a power tool like that. Who put them on? They shouldn't be torqued more than 100 ft/lbs
For your size, when you can't access power tools (trail/dd) I think a harbor freight breaker bar should follow you everywhere. Get a 1/2" drive with an extension that will make the swivel joint 90º just outside the wheel. The longer the better-36" minimum... I'm a healthy adult male, and I carry a 40." You shouldn't have to hurt yourself to change a tire if you have the proper tools. (also carry heavy gloves in your rig)
Back to this impact driver issue. Those lugs's shouldn't be that tight. I would have a knowledgeable person (that might be you-I don't know your mechanical background) inspect the wheels, studs, etc. Over-tightening to the point where an impact won't take them off can cause all sorts of issues.
If you can't get them off with an impact driver something is wrong... A brave six year old should be able to get them off with a power tool like that. Who put them on? They shouldn't be torqued more than 100 ft/lbs For your size, when you can't access power tools (trail/dd) I think a harbor freight breaker bar should follow you everywhere. Get a 1/2" drive with an extension that will make the swivel joint 90º just outside the wheel. The longer the better-36" minimum... I'm a healthy adult male, and I carry a 40." You shouldn't have to hurt yourself to change a tire if you have the proper tools. (also carry heavy gloves in your rig) Back to this impact driver issue. Those lugs's shouldn't be that tight. I would have a knowledgeable person (that might be you-I don't know your mechanical background) inspect the wheels, studs, etc. Over-tightening to the point where an impact won't take them off can cause all sorts of issues. How did you use the impact? What type of impact?
I used a new Milwaukee Impact driver. Keep in mind it was an Impact driver not an impact wrench ... It just kept clicking and not budging the nut
Got them installed a fortec so they should be legit. I'm scared they are too tight because my wheels are aluminum.
I might try a Impact wrench next (and return it when I'm done) hehe.
Or I might take it back to them and watch them torque it proper
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