[Jones]

I finally got my spare tire yesterday and I'm trying to decider where I want to put it. My roof rack and bumpers are almost done so I can either put it on top or out back. It would be much easier to put it on the roof rack, but you tell me what looks better.

[JeepOrvis97]

Your tires are probably pretty heavy to lift off your roof.

[Jones]

I put it up there yesterday to see what it would look like. It was heavy but I can get it up there.

[JeepOrvis97]

Either way looks pretty cool, but personally I'd rather be grabbing it off the back of my rig than the roof. I guess if you can get it pretty easily then go for it, it does raise your center of gravity too.

[WJ04]

I voted for it on the roof....I think it looks better up there. BUT it is probably better for fuel economy on the back with less wind resistance.

[Jones]

Im not really worried about fuel economy it can't get much worse then it already is.

[hokies98zj]

it raises your center of gravity and makes you more likely to roll your jeep.outback would be safer and more fuel efficient.up top just looks cool.but i also like the look of a tire sticking off the back of a zj.thats what im going to do when i get a rear bumper.

you can also fit the tire inside at the stock location.i think what people did was flip the tire around so the outside of the tire is facing towards the window to fit.

[ajmorell]

Out back. Putting it up on the roof raises your CG like hokie said.

[nierace]

On rear bumper is best way to do it. Doesnt hurt wind resistance and doesnt make you more tippy in off camber situations like putting it on your roof.

[Jones]

Where can I order just the swing away tire carrier?

[ezrider327]

Out back so people bounce off when they hit ya , personally mine is under my pole barn not effective or useful but that is where it's at

[ZJ_Richie]

I say put it out back. I never like the idea of the spare being on top. But its your final decision.
I just picture it this way: Its raining outside and its dark. The last thing I want to do is stand in the door of the zj pulling down a "big ol' tire".

[ThrillSeeker]

Originally Posted by ZJ_Richie

I say put it out back. I never like the idea of the spare being on top. But its your final decision.
I just picture it this way: Its raining outside and its dark. The last thing I want to do is stand in the door of the zj pulling down a "big ol' tire".

I put mine on the roof, no problem, totally out of the way.
I am not too keen on placing it on the rear where you have to move it out of the way every time you want to get into the rear of the Jeep, regardless of the swing away, etc...
I would not worry about any center of gravity stuff... the Jeep weights so much it hardly makes a difference...

With that all being said, how often are you actually going to have to use your spare? Ok, how often are you going to be accessing your Jeep from the rear....
Case closed IMO... Looks are subjective to your taste..

[hokies98zj]

your adding depending on tire&wheel size probably 60-80,if not more, pounds on top..put a little weight up high on something and it will fall over more often.a lot depends on driving habit.what if you have to avoid something in the road?

one thing about putting them out back depending on the bumper is the departure angle.each spot has its pros and cons.just weigh them and see what works best for you i guess.

inside at stock you lose cargo space,up top you have higher cog and less mpg,out back sometimes departure angle suffers and takes more time to access the back...

[SkyjacktZJ]

Buying a new rear bumper with a tire carrier is quite a bit of $$$ - and you may not be able to close your garage door because of the extra length (ask me how I know, lol). My 33" fits fine in the original stock location with a longer hook. Cost: $1.50 for the hook. It is out of the way, in a very convenient location and I don't have to "move it out of the way" to put stuff back there - Plenty of room.

Despite what some say, increasing your center of gravity when on the street and off road is not the best approach. And when that day comes, hopefully you're not on a steep hill when you have to pull that tire over the roof rack and off of the roof and it gets away from - LOOK OUT BELOW

If you are just doing it because it looks cool, I don't blame you, because it does. But really, it is so not practical up there.