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SWAG tailgate and tub mounted tire carrier

15K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  DirtRider1357 
#1 ·
A few days ago I installed my SWAG tailgate, the installation is pretty straightforward so I won't get into that. I needed a place to haul my tire, and got the idea from another forum member to reuse the latch that came with the kit for the tire carrier.

After a few days planning in my head I decided to go for it. I had a useless engine stand that I've been cannibalizing steel from, and I "saw" my hinges in the square tubing. Here is a photo walk through of what was done.

I will end up remaking the hinges so they're a bit beefier and I'm able to use bushings. Right now they are 1/2" grade 8, but I'd like to use bronze bushings to reduce the resistance. The whole assembly does not rattle one bit, but later I will install the rubber bumpers to the carrier to make things tighter.

The SWAG kit is awesome, and Troy is a great guy to deal with. Hopefully in the future he can produce something like this.

(Don't mind the camo... I'm working on suppressing my inner redneck!! :rofl:)

Anyway, here are the pics :cheers2:





















 
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#2 ·
I would be worried about the stock tire carrier (looks like you bolted it onto your tire carrier frame) being made from Pot Steel and not being able to actually carry the 35" tire without cracking. The frame looks great though. How did you handle the latch?
 
#4 ·
Thanks! The tire is just a 31" factory spare. I have 33's on the Jeep now but will be going back to 31's the next set of tires I get. The carrier is pretty strong, but I'll be checking it often for cracks or distortion.

The latch was what came with the swag tailgate kit to hold the passengers side of the tailgate. Mine fit tight so I decided to reuse it for the carrier. The end of the tube is capped and I pressed a bronze bushing in that the latch slides into.

Nice!!

I haven't started on mine but I do have the steel sitting in the garage!

I ended up getting 1x2 stock like you used but for the hinge shells I got 2x3 by 1/4" thick. It's way over kill for the application but the 2" wide tubing will fit in the 3" wide outer hinge and leave 1/2 inch of free play inside. Then you can use standard 1/4" thick bronze bushings on each side of the 2" wide stuff. Should make for a very solid hinge. Plus, you can pick the bushings up at any hardware store.

Yours looks great!!

As far as the stock tire hanger being weak...it is but the cool thing is that you can pick up stronger ones that are designed to bolt into the stock holes for pretty cheap. So if this one starts cracking up, you can put a new one on without having to drill new holes!!!

Great job man!
Exactly! I bought bushings but my scrap tubing for the hinges wasn't big enough. I'll do them over soon, this just allows me to carry a tire now. It is plenty strong, I can sit on it and it doesn't sag (180lbs) Thanks again for the kind words, I appreciate it.
 
#3 ·
Nice!!

I haven't started on mine but I do have the steel sitting in the garage!

I ended up getting 1x2 stock like you used but for the hinge shells I got 2x3 by 1/4" thick. It's way over kill for the application but the 2" wide tubing will fit in the 3" wide outer hinge and leave 1/2 inch of free play inside. Then you can use standard 1/4" thick bronze bushings on each side of the 2" wide stuff. Should make for a very solid hinge. Plus, you can pick the bushings up at any hardware store.

Yours looks great!!

As far as the stock tire hanger being weak...it is but the cool thing is that you can pick up stronger ones that are designed to bolt into the stock holes for pretty cheap. So if this one starts cracking up, you can put a new one on without having to drill new holes!!!

Great job man!
 
#5 ·
Looks good!:thumbsup:

I wouldn't worry about the stock tire carrier bracket,they are pretty stout the way they are bent and designed..it's not the bracket that was weak on these jeeps,,it's the tailgate itself that takes a serious beating and bending with bigger tires on them.
For a little insurance you can add another 2 bolts to it on the carrier bracket..1 in between the 2 already there.

I would aslo maybe add some stiffener bracketry on the inside of the tub where the latch and hinges are so it will prevent any possible stress and bending on the tub itself.
 
#8 ·
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the kind words. After driving to work and hitting a bunch of bumps, there are some rattles, but once I get some rubber bumpers back there all will be well. I'm also thinking of boxing in the stock tire carrier and using it as storage for my tow strap (if I can roll it to fit in such a small space)

rlockwood, Yeah I figure I'm within the limits of the tub since I lost the weight of the tailgate. Any larger of a tire and I'd add some material to the tub.
 
#10 ·
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the kind words. After driving to work and hitting a bunch of bumps, there are some rattles, but once I get some rubber bumpers back there all will be well. I'm also thinking of boxing in the stock tire carrier and using it as storage for my tow strap (if I can roll it to fit in such a small space)

rlockwood, Yeah I figure I'm within the limits of the tub since I lost the weight of the tailgate. Any larger of a tire and I'd add some material to the tub.
Have you thought about adding a basket over the top for a small can of gas, or other light things? It might be welded to the top rail...????
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the update about the rattles. I picked up a bunch of 1" tall rubber bumpers to put in place of the giant rubber bumpers already on the tail gate. I'll space the frame away from the body in such away that when closed, it will be pressed firmly against the bumpers. Hopefully that will keep the rattles away.

Here's the bumpers I bought.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Repl...Q5fCamperQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2593wt_754
 
#14 ·
It's been awhile since I've been on this forum. I recently had back surgery and am on the mend right now. Just wanted to report that the tire carrier is still holding up well! Has anyone else gone this route? If so, please post pictures! I won't take offense to the hijack, I'm interested to see what others have come up with.
 
#16 ·
Thanks so much! I love your bumpers and the work you do. The recovery route sucks, but it's getting better daily. I'll likely be getting medically discharged from the Navy, and for that I have mixed emotions. I've already invested 11 years and the stability of a paycheck in this economy is what I'm most worried about. Hopefully there will be some disability benefits I can get for myself and my family. Thanks again for the well wishes!
 
#17 ·
I have a question, if I missed the answer to this I appologize.....with the swag kit, the latch it comes with holds in the RIGHT side of the tailgate and the existing factory door latch holds in the left side....
with the tire carrier in place, how are you holding in the right side of the tailgate??? I don't see a latch.

Thanks
 
#19 ·
I have a question, if I missed the answer to this I appologize.....with the swag kit, the latch it comes with holds in the RIGHT side of the tailgate and the existing factory door latch holds in the left side....
with the tire carrier in place, how are you holding in the right side of the tailgate??? I don't see a latch.

Thanks
Sorry for the delay, I haven't been online much recently. I found that the right side latch wasn't needed in my application. I guess if your 'gate rattles you can reuse one of your spare tire bumpers to press between the right side of the tailgate and the tire carrier frame. I have taken this off for the time being and am running with no spare. I'm currently carrying a plug kit and CO2 bottle for roadside tire failures. I plan to make a new swing out that will hold two 5 gallon cans, but I have a few other mods on my plate before I can get to that.
 
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