Tire Carrier Third Tail Light Write-up

wenkebach · 01-03-2008, 02:16 PM

Finally got my Lod Tire Carrier - install was very straight forward.

I looked at options to re-locate the third brake light and decided to make my own after seeing what a guy in our local Jeep Club (MJ'sTJ).

I used a 2 1/2 inch round LED from AutoZone, and a center cap from my spare wheel, but any center cap like the one shown would probably work.

I cut out the center of the cap so that the light would fit over the end - the rubber grommet fit nicely. I connected some handy-dandy speaker wire that I had laying around and ran it out through the side of the base of the wheel cap.

I removed the plastic tailgate hinge cover and spliced the wires there. I enclosed the speaker wire in a loom and zip tied it to the carrier.

I positioned the center cap, the mounted the tire.

Pretty cool at night:

This whole project took me less than an hour, and cost around $20.

Click Here for the pictures

Again, I'd like to give credit to MJ'sTJ at La4x4.com for the idea.

pezley69 · 01-03-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wenkebach

Finally got my Lod Tire Carrier - install was very straight forward.

I looked at options to re-locate the third brake light and decided to make my own after seeing what a guy in our local Jeep Club (MJ'sTJ).

I used a 2 1/2 inch round LED from AutoZone, and a center cap from my spare wheel, but any center cap like the one shown would probably work.

I cut out the center of the cap so that the light would fit over the end - the rubber grommet fit nicely. I onnected some handy-dandy speaker wire that I had laying around and ran it out through the side of the base of the wheel cap.

I removed the plastic tailgate hinge cover and spliced the wires there. I enclosed the speaker wire in a loom and zip tied it to the carrier.

I positioned the center cap, the mounted the tire.

Pretty cool at night:

This whole project took me less than an hour, and cost around $20.

Again, I'd like to give credit to MJ'sTJ at La4x4.com for the idea.

The pics are not working for me????

?

**Divinitous** · 01-03-2008, 03:36 PM

wenkebach · 01-03-2008, 04:00 PM

Sorry guys - I fixed the links.

skyjacked94xj · 01-03-2008, 04:07 PM

they still dont work..........

wenkebach · 01-03-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyjacked94xj

they still dont work..........

Well Hell's Bells......

I'll get it fixed - hang on.

wenkebach · 01-03-2008, 04:35 PM

Ok - Hope this works now

kizer · 01-03-2008, 04:36 PM

I see pictures. Nice job too.

SeanCucf · 01-03-2008, 04:38 PM

nice job

skyjacked94xj · 01-03-2008, 08:46 PM

yep works now. That looks like a nice little project that i'll have to do when it gets warm out.. I'll remember this..

4xfiend · 01-03-2008, 09:00 PM

Looks good. I mounted mine directly to the carrier and drilled a couple holes to run the wire through the carrier.

wenkebach · 01-03-2008, 09:07 PM

That looks great - I didn't have a drill strong enough to drill thru the carrier, otherwise, I would have done it like yours too.

Looks awesome!

pezley69 · 01-04-2008, 07:52 AM

Nice.....

Good job!

erickpl · 01-04-2008, 08:57 AM

So does the wire go between that tire carrier plate and the wheel itself? I tried something similar before I got my Jeeperman carrier and after a while, the wheel cut into the wire and shorted it out.

You may want to slightly revise the metal plate so the wire runs through a hole instead of pinching between the plate and wheel, like you showed here:

wenkebach · 01-04-2008, 09:17 AM

Actually - for whatever reason - there is a nice 1/4" gap that the wire runs through. I think it is because I have 33" tire on an 8" rim that "balloons" the tire a bit.

In other words, once the tire is snugged down against the tailgate isolators, there is still space between the rim and the carrier - about 1/4"

I know it may be different for everyone; in fact, here is a variation from MJ'sTJ. He ran his wire through the wheel and into the side of the cap. This is ok, but in order to take the tire off, he has to disconnect the tail light/center cap. Minor inconvenience.

Another option would be to place some galvanized washers over the lug bolts and create a slight gap where the wire would run.

01-03-2008, 04:00 PM	#4
wenkebach Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 627 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Sorry guys - I fixed the links. __________________ 2005 Wrangler Sport - 4.0L 6 speed Rusty's 3" Lift, 33x12.5 Trxus MT's, JKS 1.25" BL, JKS BMML, Jeeperman Skidz Jeeperman Bumper/Pre-runner Bar, Warn Winch, Front Aussie Locker

01-03-2008, 04:35 PM	#7
wenkebach Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 627 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Ok - Hope this works now __________________ 2005 Wrangler Sport - 4.0L 6 speed Rusty's 3" Lift, 33x12.5 Trxus MT's, JKS 1.25" BL, JKS BMML, Jeeperman Skidz Jeeperman Bumper/Pre-runner Bar, Warn Winch, Front Aussie Locker

01-03-2008, 04:36 PM	#8
kizer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marysville Wa. North of Seattle Posts: 1,601 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I see pictures. Nice job too. __________________ Links4Jeeps.com 1600+ Write-ups, and more My Writeups \| My Heap

01-03-2008, 09:07 PM	#12
wenkebach Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 627 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	That looks great - I didn't have a drill strong enough to drill thru the carrier, otherwise, I would have done it like yours too. Looks awesome! __________________ 2005 Wrangler Sport - 4.0L 6 speed Rusty's 3" Lift, 33x12.5 Trxus MT's, JKS 1.25" BL, JKS BMML, Jeeperman Skidz Jeeperman Bumper/Pre-runner Bar, Warn Winch, Front Aussie Locker

01-04-2008, 09:17 AM	#15
wenkebach Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 627 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Actually - for whatever reason - there is a nice 1/4" gap that the wire runs through. I think it is because I have 33" tire on an 8" rim that "balloons" the tire a bit. In other words, once the tire is snugged down against the tailgate isolators, there is still space between the rim and the carrier - about 1/4" I know it may be different for everyone; in fact, here is a variation from MJ'sTJ. He ran his wire through the wheel and into the side of the cap. This is ok, but in order to take the tire off, he has to disconnect the tail light/center cap. Minor inconvenience. Another option would be to place some galvanized washers over the lug bolts and create a slight gap where the wire would run. __________________ 2005 Wrangler Sport - 4.0L 6 speed Rusty's 3" Lift, 33x12.5 Trxus MT's, JKS 1.25" BL, JKS BMML, Jeeperman Skidz Jeeperman Bumper/Pre-runner Bar, Warn Winch, Front Aussie Locker Last edited by wenkebach; 01-04-2008 at 10:17 AM..