Couple of years with a 33X10.5 mounted with no problems on mine. Maybe not having the studs not welded is an option now, mine came welded.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I just placed an order for the bumper and tire carrier - put down my year and model - '79 CJ5.

Didn't ask for anything else. Wonder why the tire carrier bolts are no longer welded to the carrier?

 

Interesting. The one I bought for my TJ also had the studs welded on. (Few years ago)

Did it say anything on the website?

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

The web site really doesn't list anything about the spare tire "wheel studs" being welded on.

Must have been a change from welded on wheel studs to non-welded.

I feel this is on me for not specifying the size of the mounting plate and welded on wheel studs.

Otherwise the bumper and tire carrier are top notch. I am going to see if I can use the press-in
style of wheel studs. Haven't welded in years - only a novice - but feel I could tack these bolts on.

Thanks for the responses.

 

I have had mine on for about 6 months and the studs are welded on. I have thought about cutting them off and using regular wheel studs non-welded just in case I needed a couple when offroad. Hmmm, just as easy to throw a few in the toolbox. The plate is at least 3/16 steel and I don't see any issue with strength and ability to hold my spare on.

 

I would think trying to get a tire in place while fighting lose studs would be chore (maybe not the worse chore, but a chore none the less.
It would be interesting to know why he didn't weld yours....

 

Yes - My thoughts exactly. When I saw the mounting plate had no studs in it and the loose bolts wrapped up
in bubble wrap I thought the same. That 31X10.50X15 BFG AT tire and steel 15X8 wheel are a bit heavier now
compared to back in 1978 when I was 18.

 

 

Well of course you would use a push lock nut to hold the stud. Hopefully help you hit the hole

 

Good idea. Just need to purchase three new 1/2"X20 bolts without the smooth shank.

Wheel studs should be here tomorrow.

 

That's just a hack job not to use a wider plate to begin with. To say "this is how we supply them" is a piss poor explanation.

I'll guess that the spindle the tire carrier pivots on is only welded to the top surface of the bumper as well.

 

To confirm - For those who purchased a DirtWorx does the spare wheel mounting plate measure the same as the one I purchased? 4 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. Seems like this size would work fine for the Wrangler wheel bolt pattern - 5X4.5. Thanks.

 

Yes, mine is 4" wide x 6.5" high and is 1/4" plate.

CSP: These bumpers are ordered from Dirtworx by application and a 4x6.5 plate for a CJ5 5x5.5 is plenty. And yes I did ask prior to ordering on the spindle/pin for the tire carrier and it is through welded top and bottom and then bumper is capped/welded. But then again, if you don't own one you wouldn't know!

I looked at some friends tire carriers/bumpers etc and those are not even close to the quality that I was looking for as far as supports/welds and steel thickness and is the reason why I went with Dirtworx. Just FYI, I have a 31-10.50-15 spare, with 2 - 5 gallon jerry cans, a hi-lift jack all mounted on the carrier and there is no sagging when I open it up to get to the tailgate etc. I think is is very well constructed and made in the USA a few hours from me is another reason.

 

CSP: These bumpers are ordered from Dirtworx by application and a 4x6.5 plate for a CJ5 5x5.5 is plenty. And yes I did ask prior to ordering on the spindle/pin for the tire carrier and it is through welded top and bottom and then bumper is capped/welded. But then again, if you don't own one you wouldn't know!

That's good to hear that the pin is through welded and thanks for following up on that.

You're right, I don't own one and am fortunate enough that I don't ever have to buy anyone else's products due to having the right tools to build my own.

Cutting a corner like that on the tire mounting plate is not a good sign and a hole that close to an edge would be a big red flag to me if I were looking to buy someone else's product. I wouldn't give it a second look after seeing something like that.

 

Appreciate the feedback. I disagree that a 4 inch wide plate is sufficient width for a wheel with a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern and a center hole diameter of 4.25 inches. I would estimate there is less than 1/8 inch steel from the outer edge of the plate to where the upper bolt holes begin. I realize this is 3/16 thick but I feel this small of a plate does not leave enough steel completely around the upper bolt holes. I think the craftsmanship other than the spare tire mounting plate is excellent.

 

Time will tell. What would be nice is to remove the plate and weld a spindle and mount a spare hub to hold the spare. At least that would be an easy way to carry and extra hub?

 

You won't likely have any problems with the thin edge on the plate but there is no reason to have them made that way except that they're made cheap, 4" wide material instead of making the part robust enough to not cause an issue. I make mine to fit what they're intended for rather than make the part fit the material. These 1/2-20 bolts are welded in and as you can see there are 3. On your plate you'll need to get rid of that black scale before you paint it otherwise your paint will likely peel. I like to sandblast mine but a flapper wheel does a fine job.

 

Thanks for the tip on paint prep Jim.

 

You're welcome.

 

I don't see anything cheap about the front or rear bumper. Not arguing the point of the 4x6.5" 1/4" plate. An Ideal plate would be larger say around 6x8" with plenty of clearance for the rim and definitely not a square piece of plate but dress it up a bit like Jim's pic shows.

Jim, you tire mount looks good but it almost looks like it would place the bottom of the tire about level with top of bumper? If so, that is not enough clearance coming off a steep obstacle.

 

Thanks for the compliment. The bottom of my 32" spare is 6 1/2" above the top of the bumper. The angle from which I took the picture makes it look lower. I also put some offset in the mounting plate to raise the spare up a bit higher. My intent was to keep it low enough so I'd still have a good view with my rear view mirror but also up out of the way. And my spare mount hardware is held in place in a receiver style manner so changing things around is easy enough.

 

I agree. As I said before the DirtWorx rear bumper and spare tire carrier are top notch except for MY issue with the
spare tire mount plate size. I feel the plate should be larger. I think a 7 inch diameter plate 1/4 inch thick would be ideal.

 

After reading this post, I went out and inspected my DirtWorx rear bumper and swing out spare tire carrier. I've had it for about 7 years. No problems. The mounting plate size is the same as described above. However, the grade 8 bolts are welded into the holes. Why would they be left loose now?

 

I have no idea.

 

Mine is the same size as well, several years, thousands and thousands of miles, no issues.

 

Thank you for the info on your DirtWorx.

 

Update: Modified DirtWorx spare tire mount. I purchased an 8 inch diameter 1/4 inch thick plate with three half inch diameter 5 on 5.5 inch wheel mounting holes pre-drilled. I pressed in the wheel studs and a local welding shop did the installation with gusseting at the top of the mounting plate. See photos. Big difference compared to original. I am very pleased with this tire mount now.

 

I have had a DirtWorx bumper/tire carrier on the back of my CJ-8 for at least 10 years. It has carried a 35x12.50x15 tire on a steel wheel that entire time. And with the extra overhang of the -8 that creates a longer moment arm, the tire carrier is subjected to even greater vibrations and shocks.

On the tire mounting plate, the outward most bolts are welded in with an edge of the bolt head flush with the edge of the plate. Never a problem. These things might be relatively inexpensive, but they aren’t cheaply built.

If I was making a modification like that, I probably would have also included provisions to mount a light within the wheel of the spare tire.