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Best rear bumper with tire carrrier

5K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  Offroadin 
#1 ·
Looking for opinions on the best brear bumper with tire carrier. I dont like the look of tube rear bumpers so that narrows down quite a bit of options. I was looking at something similar to the smittybuilt rear bumper but have heard horror stories regarding quality etc.

Any input?
 
#2 ·
I was in the same boat. I really liked the looks of the JCR but it was out of my price range. I ended up with the Smittybuilt XCR. I installed it myself in about 5 hours and so far have been really impressed with it. The spare is rock solid and doesn't move around on the road or in the trails. The locking mechanism is also very solid. I would say the only con is it's heavy.
 

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#5 · (Edited)
I love my Bestop HighRock 4x4 bumper with carrier. 3/8" steel, has taken its fair share of bumps and bangs with no issues. Hardly a scratch and the carrier connects to bumper through a large pin / bearing setup. The carrier is connected to the door via helm joint (think that's what it's called) so it opens with the door. That comes in handy. Look at my Garage and you'll see it.


Edit: Here are some better pics. https://www.quadratec.com/products/12050_230X_PG.htm
It's a little $$$ but one of the best purchases I have made. The post has many accessory holes pre drilled for antenna, fire extinguisher, hi-lift jack, etc.
 
#6 ·
I love my Bestop HighRock 4x4 bumper with carrier. 3/8" steel, has taken its fair share of bumps and bangs with no issues. Hardly a scratch and the carrier connects to bumper through a large pin / bearing setup. The carrier is connected to the door via helm joint (think that's what it's called) so it opens with the door. That comes in handy. Look at my Garage and you'll see it.


Edit: Here are some better pics. Bestop 42931-01 - HighRock 4x4™ Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier for 97-06 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited - Quadratec
It's a little $$$ but one of the best purchases I have made. The post has many accessory holes pre drilled for antenna, fire extinguisher, hi-lift jack, etc.

I also have this bumper. This is my third tire carrier bumper ( on different vehicles ) and it is the best one so far.
Extremely convientant to have the tire carrier open with the door.

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#7 ·
The very "best" spare tire carrier I've ever seen is the same one I've run on both of my TJs, it's made by OR-Fab at OR-Fab Jeep Carriers

It does not rely on the bumper for strength, in fact it doesn't even mount on the bumper. So you can run any bumper you want. Instead, it is supported at 3 points by the rollbar bases via hidden internal brackets. It doesn't get any stronger than that. Bumper carriers place the load on just one point, it's sole pivot point. In the 13-14 years I've been running the OR-Fab, I've yet to see a bumper mounted carrier I'd trade it for. Mine hasn't sagged even 1/16" when open since installing it, it still swings directly dead-center into its driver's side latch.

The very last brand I personally would ever (not) consider is Smittybilt.
 
#15 ·
The very "best" spare tire carrier I've ever seen is the same one I've run on both of my TJs, it's made by OR-Fab at OR-Fab Jeep Carriers

It does not rely on the bumper for strength, in fact it doesn't even mount on the bumper. So you can run any bumper you want. Instead, it is supported at 3 points by the rollbar bases via hidden internal brackets. It doesn't get any stronger than that. Bumper carriers place the load on just one point, it's sole pivot point. In the 13-14 years I've been running the OR-Fab, I've yet to see a bumper mounted carrier I'd trade it for. Mine hasn't sagged even 1/16" when open since installing it, it still swings directly dead-center into its driver's side latch.

The very last brand I personally would ever (not) consider is Smittybilt.
I had the rattling too. Just had to adjust the little rubber stoppers that are on the main mast that the tire is on. Took a few extra washers to get it snug against the door when closed. Took a few trials to get it dialed in right but no more rattle at all. I can understand how annoying it can be though.
Do you guys have any rattling with yours? Also Jerry, if you don't mind me asking, about how much was the one you got without the extra storage?
 
#10 ·
Just installed the Smittybilt SRC Gen2 rear bumper and tire carrier on my '08, it rattles and clunks. It's installed and adjusted correctly.
Will not buy Smittybilt again, total waste of money, even though I like the look of it.
Live & learn, I guess.
I'm glad I did not install it on my wife's JKU, I would have never heard the end of it. Will be looking at the Or-Fab or Ace for hers.
 
#16 ·
AJ, I will certainly check that out. I have both bumpers and rock rails from Ace on my JK and love them. I also have a pair of lava jackets with brackets for both the TJ and the JK. Great stuff, man! I would like to end up with Ace stuff on the TJ at some point.

Regarding this thread, I followed Jerry's advice and got the OR Fab without the cans. Tough install; nerve racking at times. But I LOVE that thing! Solid as they come.
 

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#17 ·
I love my LOD Offroad Signature tire carrier.

Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier*::*1996-2006 Jeep TJ/LJ Products*::*Jeep*::*LoD Offroad

It took about 2-3 months to receive but in the end it was well worth the wait. Great quality and very sturdy. Got the rack and the jerry can attachments for it as well. Friend has a JK with a Smittybilt tire carrier and he regrets every decision. They design the tire carrier to hold spare cans behind the tire and the cans hit the jeep causing dents and scratches. Horrible, horrible design. Do not support that company.
 
#18 ·
You guys are on crack, there's nothing wrong with Shittybilt's quality.

 
#20 ·
He said that the arm simply fell off while in a parking lot. Thank god it did not come off while he was on the Interstate! Can you imagine what sort of carnage that steel triangle with the large, heavy tire and rim would do to the vehicle following him? That could have caused multiple deaths.

I had that same craptastic Shittybilt bumper and the arm was sagging back so far that the top of my 33 was 6" back from being upright! I pulled it and carried the spare in the back - LOOSE - for a short time. Then I just stopped carrying the spare altogether until I got the ORFab one and installed it.

I will never purchase anything imported and sold by Smittybilt ever again. Even their XRC stuff is suspect to me because of my terrible bumper and the above photo of a failed one. I am getting too old to take chances with the lives of others.
 
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