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Ebay bumper tire carrier

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Mhunt114

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Does anyone have first hand experience and opinion on the cheap ebay bumper tire carriers. I'm assuming it's made of thin steel and rattles a lot with questionable latching mechanism,. nevertheless looking for first hand opinions.

www.ebay.com

For 1987-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ YJ Black Rear Bumper W/Tire Carrier & D-ring | eBay

For Jeep Wrangler YJ 1987-1996. For Jeep Wrangler TJ 1997-2006. NOTE：TJ MODEL: Drilling may be required. 1x Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier. ⭐ 3 point tire mounting system supports oversized tires. Color: Black.
www.ebay.com
 
#4 ·
Mhunt114 said:
Why would you suggest that?

And a 33 inch tire at the most
Click to expand...
Because there are a ton of guys that have a bumper tire carrier. But I would bet most didn't buy theirs on eBay. Why limit your options to eBay if there might be other options they might be better and or cheaper?

Tire size because of the weight difference might dictate what makes sense.
 
#10 ·
Here is the same bumper on Amazon. Most sellers sell on both platforms. There are a few of the same, just sold by various sellers. There are reviews, but take them with a grain of salt. Hope this helps.
Rear Bumper Off-Road W/Tire Carrier&D-Rings Compatible With Jeep Wrangler TJ YJ LJ 1987-2006 2 Packages https://a.co/d/9abeRNv
Rear Bumper Compatible with 1987-1996 Jeep Wrangler YJ 1997-2006 TJ 2003-2006 LJ W/Tire Carrier And D-Rings 2 packages https://a.co/d/7UDWQ1W
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks, I have noticed that identical items se to be cheaper on eBay, I assume because ebay charges cheaper fees.

And as far as the reviews on any selling website, I trust them as much as I trust a wet fart. That's why I'm coming here for advice
 
#12 ·
Yeah you can usually tell because at least one pic will be the same. It's worth reading reviews. Because it's you sift through them. You'll find actual users that give reviews. That's why I linked the second product. Many more reviews than the first one.
 
#13 ·
There were very similar ones sold by a different company a few years ago, seems like a lot of guys bought them and were satisfied with what they got for the money. When you consider tire carriers can run over a grand, I wouldn't expect it to be an extremely well built product but it would likely work for what you need (especially with only a 33 on it).
 
#14 ·
timatoe said:
There were very similar ones sold by a different company a few years ago, seems like a lot of guys bought them and were satisfied with what they got for the money. When you consider tire carriers can run over a grand, I wouldn't expect it to be an extremely well built product but it would likely work for what you need (especially with only a 33 on it).
Click to expand...
Yep, it looks like an EAG bumper. I have one, but not with the tire carrier.

It's definitely from China, lol. If you get one, just make sure to make sure it's all coated with paint to prevent rust. And maybe keep up with oil/grease on the pinion/hinge part.

Stuff like this usually isn't that bad from China, that said, I wouldn't trust the Max rating on the tow hitch or the eyelets, IMHO.

Other than that? It's a bumper, lol. Not much to go wrong, IMHO, just don't overwork it. I looked at American made, but the cost was insane usually.
 
#16 ·
I would also say, I wouldn't use those D rings for recovery without getting some frame tie ins first. The stock bumperettes only bolt to a piece of 1/8" sheetmetal, I wouldn't be yanking on that. Even with just a 33 on it, you'd be ahead getting some tie ins.
 
#17 ·
Own the same Chinese tire carrier bumper.

what to expect.
1. the bolt holes will not line up very well. especially the bottom tab holes. they will be completely borked.
2. using a carbide bit to open up the holes so it will fit will give you a good look at how thin and cheap the powder coat is.
3. painting the raw metal you created to get the bolts to fit properly will demonstrate that their black is not really black-black. it's black adjacent.
4. Painting the rest of the bumper with Rustoleum Semi-Flat black will make it look good.
5. Use Loctite on the bolts that secure the adjustable depth tire mount. Ask me how I know.
6. the spring loaded handle (That big silver thing) will hole the swing arm tight without a tire on it. After you mount your 60 lb 32-33" tire, the spring in the handle will still allow the swing arm to clunk on take off and over rough roads. But don't worry, you probably will never take it on rough roads, right?
7. the hinge will allow the tire to swing all the way out into your passenger side tail light. You will want to either weld a bolt on to stop it from crunching your tail light, or at least drill a hole and bolt on onto the top of the bumper to stop the arm.
8. please note the assembly hardware in the images show zinc coated bolts, presumably Grade 8. Nope. Grade 5 Chineseium. You will want to go ahead and get some G8 hardware or 8.8 Metric to mount it. I guess you could use the grade 5.
9. the toe hitch is for decoration only. I would not trust it with a mountain bike rack. maybe put in one of those white LED reverse lights.
10. frame tie ins were mentioned before. you do not need them, but remember, your bumper is mounted to the same thickness metal as your tub. proceed at your own discretion. We did not use frame tie-ins on our YJ with this bumper. and yes, we have used the rear D-Rings to pull the jeep. that said, it wasn't that stuck.

Once you make all the modifications to your new bumper, and get it installed, it'll be fine. except the clunk from the arm moving on the handle will make you think you have a bad u bolt on your axle.
We got ours from a local shop/manufacturer. same design basically. Probably about 4 years ago now. we paid 20% less that the e-bay price for ours.
look, I'm a firm believer that not everyone has to have the very best of XXX in order for that XXX to work well for them. In spite of all the issues, the tire carrier does it's job. It'll probably work great for you too. Just know, it's not going to be plug--and-play. There will be issues with fitment and the bolts they give you are worth less than the plastic bag they send them in.

hope this helps.

L
 
#19 ·
Mhunt114 said:
I don't think there is a cheaper option. And I am specifically looking for firsthand experience. Thanks .
Click to expand...
first hand experience:
garbage. you get what you pay for.

There are countless threads on cheapo tire carriers. almost all of them required fabbing/modding said weak latching mechanism to avoid rattles. Even then, when you handle that weak spot, most of the stress then goes on the often under/weak welded spindles.

Just save for a couple more months and go with a dirtworx or whatever else gets good reviews around this neck of the woods.

Edit: didnt read the entire thread before posting. @Luuca has you covered.
 
#20 ·
Mhunt114 said:
Why would you suggest that?

And a 33 inch tire at the most
Click to expand...
I meant to mention that, a 33" tire, if you run it at 10.5 inches wide, will still carry on the tailgate without immediate issues. You can use the stock tire carrier and not need a swing arm tire carrier at all.
On the 93 I am currently dumping time an money into, I went with a 33x10.5x15 tire mainly because I like the way they look and it gives the jeep a slightly wider stance when paired with a rim that has a shorter backspacing. The shorter backspacing moves the tires out from the body. You do not have to change rims to use a 10.5 inch tire, and it will save you some weight; however, on a stock rim, a majority of the tire will be under the fender. Not horrible looking, just a closer-to-stock look than most Jeep people want to have.

I am mounting mine on the tailgate with a custom fabbed tire carrier designed for the tire size and backspacing. I have no worries about the tailgate.

If you have not already invested in rims and tires, using a thinner tire will save weight and allow for using the stock tire carrier. this may be an option for you.

The tires on it when we got it vs what we installed. Note it's taller and thinner.
Image


An image from April of 2021 that gives you a decent look at how much tire is out beyond the body. You can really see at the rear how much they are out from the tub

Image


Another advantage of this offset is that the rim does not cover the steering end links. I was able to change the tie rods and drag link without removing the rims/tires.
Image


This "look" isn't for everyone, and you have to plan ahead with new rims and tires, but it may give you of some alternatives to a run of the Chinese mill tire carrier.

My rear "bumper" looks like this:
Image


It's 1/4" steel rear crossmember overlay. Simple, sturdy, and installed with Grade 8 bolts.

Image


Before the bumper was installed on a stock tire carrier:
Image
 
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