[CB3]

It is possible to safely fit a 33 X 9.5, 33 X 10.5, or 33 X 11.5 tire onto the stock spare tire carrier and have it fit great without damaging rear door or door hinges. It's also free or very inexpensive to do. In my case it was inexpensive, but not free (I had a minor bumper mod I had to pay for).

The coolest part is that everything looks stock (and is aside from minor trimming mods). The Jeep experienced look at it once, twice, three times, and then ask, "How'd you fit a 33" tire on to a stock Jeep?"

I did that with a 285/75R16 Cooper ST (285/75R16) and it looks and works great. I got it mounted so close to rear door that it has only about 1/16" space between door hinges and tire sidewall. That is a good fit. In fact, it's a tighter, better fit than the stock spare was.

By getting the tire mounted that close to the rear door, it doesn't torque the door or door hinges. So it's holding up great.

To do that, I had to modify my 3rd brake light by raising it higher using longer bolts and running them through some plumbing pipe used for spacers. I forgot how long I cut the pipe. I think maybe 3/4" to 1" long. You can measure and figure out for yourself what lenght to make the spacer pipes.

Then, I drew a nice curve with a white marker (tire white lettering paint pen) on the part of the 3rd brake light that the tire was hitting. It wouldn't allow tire to slide onto the mounting bolts. So I trimmed (using jig saw) the 3rd brake like tower from it's original square ugly shape into a pretty curve that allowed enough extra clearance for the tire to fully slide onto the spare carrier bolts.

Then I had to buy different rubber bumpers for the door. The Rubi ones were wider than needed. So I bought the non-Rubi ones. That way I could get tire closer to door (easier on door hinges). However, the stock Rubi bumpers would have worked fine (for my 33 X 11.3 wide tire), but the non-Rubi bumpers got tire closer to door.

So I used two non-Rubi bumpers for top two bumpers on the rear door. The bottom bumper (on body right above bumper), had to be trimmed thinner and reradiused.

Once all that was done, my 33 X 11.5 tire fit great and does NOT strain the stock rear door or hinges.

I also have a 3/4" round dip cut out of top center of rear bumper to clear the tire. It gives an extra 1/4" clearance more than needed, which is perfect. It'd fit a 34" tire.

====

I'm sure this would be much easier with a 33 x 9.5 or 33 X 10.5, but it was reasonably easy with a 33 X 11.5. It might also be possible with a 33 X 12.5 load C tire.

However, I don't know if the door and hinges could stand up to a 33 X 12.5 load D tire (weight) even with my modifications. However, if you have a heavier 33 or 34 inch tire, you could still do my mods and also add the Besttop Hinge Strengthening thing for larger spares.

====

Keep in mind that Jeep makes two sizes of the spare tire rubber bumpers for the door and body. Rubis come with one size, and non-Rubis with another.

That gives you some adjustability for tire widths. It made it possible for me to use two rubber bumpers on rear door without modifying them. I did have to modify the 3rd bumper (made it skinnier) that goes on the body.

=====

Which rubber bumpers are best for you, depend on your tire size (32, 33, or 34) and tire width.

=====

I in addition to 32 and 33 inch tires, I think this would also work for a narrower (lighter) 34 like a 255/85R16 (34 X 9.5 R16 if a Cooper ST or BFG MT).

=====

I'll post some pics soon

[jeeperz93]

this thread could have been like 2 or even 3 paragraphs longer..

[CB3]

Originally Posted by jeeperz93

this thread could have been like 2 or even 3 paragraphs longer..

If you don't like it, don't read it. You're now behaving like a troll.

[CB3]

I think the reason that many people say the stock door and hinges can't handle a 33" tire is that most guys just toss on a wheel spacer to get it to fit. That's what a local 4X4 shop did to me. That is a bad, lazy way to fit a 33+ spare onto a stock spare carrier.

That was hard on my door and hinges because the tire was so far behind the door that it put a lot of torque of the door, and the tire was not contacting or supported by the rubber bumpers at all. My tire vibrated and jiggled everytime I closed the rear door. It was pretty obvious that it would damage my rear door or door hinges eventually.

So I called my cousin who owns a sawmill and has tools and skills. I paid him his normal hourly rate he charges for his time. He would have done it free, but I know he has a wife, kids, and bills like everyone. So I wanted to pay for his time and skills. I knew what I wanted: A spare mounted very close to rear door to reduce torqueing on door, and fully supported by the rubber bumpers to prevent vibrations and jiggling, and I wanted tire to clear bumper and 3rd brake light. We figured out the idea/design together. He did the hands on mods.

My approach got the tire very close to door (much closer than stock tire was when I bought the Jeep). The tire and door now seem well secured and are not affected by vibrations or bumps in the road. It looks like a big tire on a stock setup, which it is - aside from some minor trimming mods. It was relatively inexpensive (bumper mod cost me $250 for welding. It looks totally stock when rear door closed. It added no extra weight, and I didn't have to buy a new bumper. So it save me money and weight.

If a guy has welding skills (to clearance rear bumper), this could be a free, or nearly free, modification (might need to buy other size rubber spare tire bumpers from Jeep dealer, or might be able to use the ones you've got depending on tire size).

I'm very happy with it for 5 months now. We did it last October. Aside from saving money and weight, it's great fun when Jeepers see a 33 on a stock looking Jeep and ask how. As an added bonus, I get full (seemingly stock) view out rear window in rearview mirror (I love that).

[mighty4banger]

I modified my stock mount and have 35's. I have had ZERO issues and it's been back there for over a year. Can't give ya any pix... I loaned my Jeep to my FIL. (We are getting a lot of snow & he had to get to work.)

I just used a 1/4" flat sheet of steel and reversed the 3 lug pattern on the stock unit.

edit: oh yeah - it cost me a total of $20. steel + grade 8 bolts... then sprayed painted to match.

[nfunlimited]

CB3....do you have any pics?? I just ordered another 33x10.5 for my spare to match the other four I have, and plan to put it on the stock carrier...I do have the 1.25" body lift, so I think the bumper won't be an issue.

[Rocky5]

the only problem I see with a larger tire back there, no matter what kinda mods you do to the carrier is VIBRATION......a larger tire back there may be OK when driving on pavement, but when your trail riding or crawling the rear gate will vibrate like hell with all that weight on it.....heck my aftermarket tire carrier bounces around a lot even with the rubber stops perfectly adjusted so the swing in supported by them and it is A LOT more sturdy that the rear gate will ever be. Just my $.02

I guess what I'm saying is why chance messing up your rear gate, repairing a rear gate would cost more than just getting a tire carrier....tire carriers look better, work better, allow for more storage, and aren't really that expensive (depending on which one you buy) mine was $290 shipped.

[.Jch.]

33x10.50 BFG M/T on the stock ravines. It has some wear from being an older tire but besides that I just aired it down some and it fits on the carrier like a glove.

[default_user]

Originally Posted by Rocky5

the only problem I see with a larger tire back there, no matter what kinda mods you do to the carrier is VIBRATION......a larger tire back there may be OK when driving on pavement, but when your trail riding or crawling the rear gate will vibrate like hell with all that weight on it.....heck my aftermarket tire carrier bounces around a lot even with the rubber stops perfectly adjusted so the swing in supported by them and it is A LOT more sturdy that the rear gate will ever be. Just my $.02

I guess what I'm saying is why chance messing up your rear gate, repairing a rear gate would cost more than just getting a tire carrier....tire carriers look better, work better, allow for more storage, and aren't really that expensive (depending on which one you buy) mine was $290 shipped.

x2...PO mounted a 305 70R16 spare on the tailgate and it vibrated like a SOB. I could see it torquing as I headed down the trail and the squeak was annoying. One of the first things I did was get a tire carrier to get the spare off the door. Not sure how long he was running it that way and the tailgate seems none the worse for wear when I did pull the spare...I just wouldn't trust it.

[CB3]

Originally Posted by nfunlimited

CB3....do you have any pics?? I just ordered another 33x10.5 for my spare to match the other four I have, and plan to put it on the stock carrier...I do have the 1.25" body lift, so I think the bumper won't be an issue.

Yes, I have pics. If you have more than a 3/4" body lift, then you'll clear the bumper, IMO. Clearning the bumper is the hardest part, and the thing that takes some money for either a body lift or clearancing stock bumper, or an aftermarket bumper.

I might also add that Jeep dealerships sell an upgrade rock bumper for rear that does clearance larger tires for mounting on the door. I think it cost less than most aftermarket rear bumpers. However, I prefer the stock rear bumper clearance because I like looking stock while doing non-stock things.

I'll post pics soon. Right now I've got to get ready for work.

[CB3]

Originally Posted by Rocky5

the only problem I see with a larger tire back there, no matter what kinda mods you do to the carrier is VIBRATION......a larger tire back there may be OK when driving on pavement, but when your trail riding or crawling the rear gate will vibrate like hell with all that weight on it.....heck my aftermarket tire carrier bounces around a lot even with the rubber stops perfectly adjusted so the swing in supported by them and it is A LOT more sturdy that the rear gate will ever be. Just my $.02

I guess what I'm saying is why chance messing up your rear gate, repairing a rear gate would cost more than just getting a tire carrier....tire carriers look better, work better, allow for more storage, and aren't really that expensive (depending on which one you buy) mine was $290 shipped.

I'm it's fine with any 32 (which probably doesn't even need mods to mount), and it seems to be fine with my 33 X 11.5, though I admit that with my mods, it's probably still stressed to its limits, but I think within its limits just barely. Now if a guy did this with 33 X 9.5 R15 or 33 X 10.5 R15 tires, then I'm sure it'd be fine. That IF you mod it to be very near the rear door, and not hanging way behind it, and supported/steadied by rubber bumpers, which might require modding of those rubber bumpers, and for sure the 3rd brake light.

That's my opinion based experience with this since last October. Prior to October, I was suffering with a ridiculous setup my local 4x4 shop had done to fit it (using a fat wheel spacer).

Prior to last October, it was mounted with a fat wheel spacer and no other mods (except higher 3rd brake light). That's how the local 4x4 shop did it for me. The lazy way. That was going to damage my rear door for sure because the tire jiggled all over the place just closing the rear door.

Now really, I wouldn't try this with a 33 X 12.5 or wider, or taller, because I think that would be to much tire. Except maybe for a 33 X 9.5 (like 255/85R16) might be OK because it's skinny.

=====

I'm personally confident that 33 X 10.5 or narrower is fine (with mods I mentioned). The 33 X 11.5 I have seems fine, but is pushing the limits of the stock door and hinges (so I think it's fine for me, but no promises for your door). A 33 wider than 11.5 is probably to much, unless you add a Besttop rear tire carrier, which is really some beefed up hinges that beef up the entire door A LOT, while adding only minimal weight and cost increase, IMO.

If a guy has doubts about it, then either add a Besttop tire carrier system to beef up your door and door hinges, or get an aftermarket bumper with a built in tire carrier. Of those two options, I'd rather go with Besttop because then my door and tire open together (as stock), which is convenient.

=====

Anyway, each guy's Jeep is his Jeep. So you must be comfortable, confident, and like what/how you do it on yours. I'm happy with mine. If I ever have doubts or want a heavier or wider tire, I'll add the Besttop tire carrier system to beef up my hinges and door.

[CB3]

Originally Posted by .Jch.

33x10.50 BFG M/T on the stock ravines. It has some wear from being an older tire but besides that I just aired it down some and it fits on the carrier like a glove.

I'll be darned. Do the rubber bumpers properly support it?

I had no idea that a 33 X 10.5 could fit with no mods. Sweet (if it's properly supported by the rubber bumpers). How did it clear the 3rd brake light? You must have raised it, but apparently didn't have to cut it to clearance tire sidewall?

My 285/75R16 Cooper ST was just no way close to fitting until raising and then clearancing 3rd brake light, adjusting rubber bumpers, and clearancing bumper. I think the bumper only needed 1/4" to 1/2" rounded area removed from top center of bumper, but my local welder removed 3/4" to 1" so I can mount a 34" tire in future if I want (like a 255/85R16 maybe).

It looks like another reason to like 33 X 10.5 R15 tires.

[CB3]

Copy pasted from Best Top's website:

Best Top's HighRock 4X4™ Oversize Tire Carrier Jeep accessories:

Offer the convenience a tailgate-mount with the big-tire capacity of a swing-away
Accommodates a tire up to 35" (37" for 2007 vehicles) and 200 lbs.
Carrier and tailgate open and close as a single unit.
Adjustable arm eliminates tailgate sag.
Heavy tubular steel protects against corrosion.
Black powder coat paint with wrinkle finish.
Drilling and assembly required.

http://www.bestop.com/index.php?s=28

===== My own words from here down =====

Those Besttop hinges beef up the hinges and door to be rated for 35" tire for TJ or LJ, and 37" for the 2007+ Wranglers.

I read somewhere that the stock door is rated for, or capable of, safely handling a 32" tire with little or no mods.

So a 33" tire is officially beyond the rating of the stock door - and won't fit anyway if wider than 10.5. However, I think my mods change that because I got the tire 3/4" to 1" closer to door than stock. A nice tight fit and well supported so that it has less torque on rear door (than it would if hanging farther behind it).

However, if you want the official/traditional view (as I've heard at many 4x4 shops and online many times), a 32" tire is widely considered the limit for a stock TJ or LJ door, and a 35" for a door modified with Bestop's beefier hinges tire carrier system. A 33 is widely considered to much for a stock door.

However, I personally think that's because a 33 spare won't fit without mods (if wider than 10.5), and a fat wheel spacer is most often the mod used, but that increase torque on rear door and moves tire away from rumber bump stops so that it's not even touching them. Naturally that would break a door when a 33 is hanging way behind the door, and flopping and jiggling all over the place with no support from rubber bump stops. So I personally don't believe that a 33 X 11.5 breaks the door, but rather the poor way it's usually modded/mounted breaks the door.

I think my method makes a 33" X 11.5 probably safe for your door longterm, but hey, I'm not giving guarantees or warranties. I only know it works for me and I feel good with it. I think it's near the limit when hitting bumps offroad, but I think it's OK. If it was a 33 X 9.5 R15 or 33 X 10.5 R15, then I think that is easily within the door's ability to withstand, if you do my 3rd brake light clearance mods and bumpstop mods to move the tire 3/4" to 1" closer to the door than the stock spare was.

The closer the tire is to the door, the less torque there is on hinges. So that's an important goal of the mods I did. Another goal is to make sure the tire is firmly against all rubber bump stops to reduce vibrations and prevent jiggling. Those things reduce the stress on the tire carrier and door.

Another couple goals/perks is to easily see out the rear window while retaining stock 3rd brake light, convenience of opening-closing door in one step, no spare carrier rattles, not adding any weight, saving money, and it's fun to do something that makes others say, how'd you do that? It looks stock, but accomplishes things that stock can't/doesn't. You could get most, or all, those same benefits and use Bestop to greatly increase strength, if you think you need more strength. I'm confident I don't need besttop, but it's a good option to consider if your 33" tire is 11.5 wide. I think Bestop is necessary if your 33 is 12.5+ wide. Either Bestop, or an aftermarket bumper with tire carrier for those wider 33s. Bestop is (I think) the less expensive way to increase strength, and it's certainly the lightest.

Anway, some of those things are facts, and some are my opinions. I've tried be clear about which are which.

If you aren't comfortable doing this with a 33, then get the Bestop thing, and it'll make the rear door way more than strong enough for a 33 (assuming you make sure it rests against bumpstops correctly). You'd still have to clear the 3rd brake light and rear bumper, which might still require my mods, or maybe Besttop makes those clearancing mods unnecessary. I'm not sure if Besttop only strengthens, or strengthens and helps clearance.

[CB3]

Of course, I realize many guys prefer their spare mounted on an aftermarket bumper that has a tire carrier. That has its advantages - like strength mainly. That approach is the strongest. For one thing, if you back into an obstacle, the tire carrier is part of the bumper, not the door. That is the route I went on my XJ I used to own. It was strong as hell, but a daily nuisance when getting my stuff in and out of back door, and it rattled often when driving, working my last nerve.

Having tried it both ways, I prefer the spare tire on the door because it doesn't rattle like my bumper carrier did. Also, on the door is much more convenient to open/close rear door. Most aftermarket rear bumper tire carriers are made for BIG tires - like 37+. For that reason, most rear bumpers with spare carriers mount the spare very high, which means I can't see out the rear window, even if it's only a 33" tire. My method, or mine + Besttop, allows full view out rear window with 33" tire, and I like that a lot. My method, or mine + Besttop, adds almost no weight, and costs very little.

So I've tried both ways. Bumper with tire carrier, and tire on door. Bumper with tire carrier is best for hardcore wheelers, IMO. However, tire on door (properly modded for closer to door and well supported by rubber bumpstops) is preferable for a daily driver, if a guy isn't ultra hard core offroad. In my opinion.

So I'm after convenience for my daily driver, and good enough for moderate wheeling. I want to open and close the rear door in one step. I love being able to see out my rear window. I don't want to add more weight than I must. Saving some money was an added bonus. I think it'll hold up fine to moderate wheeling, which is the most I do. If I was a hardcore guy, then I would get the Bestop at the very least, or probably go all the way and get an aftermarket bumper with tire carrier (Jeeperman being my favorite, except it mounts tire so high, like most aftermarket bumpers do).

So my advice is for daily driver guys who do moderate wheeling, not for super hardcore wheelers. My method, or mine + Bestop, results in greater visibility out the back window using rearview mirrow, and also much more convenience getting in and out the back of it since door opens in one step. That's why I like it.

One aftermarket rear bumper with tire carrier that is made specifically for 33s is ARB. Therefore, it does allow you to see out the rear window. ARB has also done many things to increase its convenience of use for a DD. So if I was to get a rear bumper with tire mount for a 32 or 33 tire, it'd be ARB. If I got one for 35+ tire, it'd be Jeeperman.

However, I'm not that hardcore as to need either of those rear bumpers. So I'll stick to tire on door for my DD and moderate wheeling. If I ever get worried about strength, I'll add Besttop's beefier hinges.

Those are my opinions and why I have them. I'll post pics tonight. For now, off to work.

[Chris_]

Since this is 'ask the expert', what are you going to do when your tail gate starts peeling away at the top from all that additional weight?