JL JOURNAL : Mounting a 37" Spare Tire on a JL Wrangler Tailgate

[wayoflife]

Now that we're running a set of 37x13.50 Cooper STT Pros mounted on KMC XD231 beadlock wheels on JET Li, our brand new Jeep JL Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, we've had a lot of people ask us how we planned on carrying a full size spare. Of course, being that the JL is so new, there really aren't a whole lot of options available or at least, not as of yet and while we were hoping to install a Mopar tailgate reinforcement kit, they were on back order and so we were forced to start looking at different solutions.

One of the biggest problem we were facing was the lack of space there is between the 33" factory spare tire and the top of the rear bumper. With a 37" tire, we would need about 2" space between the two and all we had to work with was about 3/4". Fortunately, we were able to address this problem with the help of an LoD Offroad JL Wrangler Destroyer Riser/Spacer bracket and that not only help us to raise our spare tire enough to clear the bumper, it also helped to accommodate its 13.50 width. Another problem we faced was how to extend the rubber isolators so that that they would still press firmly against the sidewall of the spare. This is critical to do as it helps mitigate jiggling of the spare as that's ultimately what causes damage to the tailgate. Fortunately, a set of hockey pucks is all we needed to take care this and in this episode of the JL JOURNAL, you'll find out how.



WHAT YOU'LL NEED

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• (2) JK Spare Tire Isolators
• (2 or 4) Hockey Pucks
• (2) 1/2" Well Nuts
• (2) 10-24 x 3" Machine Screws or 4" Bolts if stacking 2 pucks
• (4) 10-24 Washers
• 5/16" Drill Bit
• 1" Spade Bit
• Utility Knife
• Phillips Screw Driver
• Drill

New JK Wrangler spare tire rubber isolators can be purchased here:
http://amzn.to/2G7gWBY

Affordable hockey pucks can be purchased here:
http://amzn.to/2IDcoSb

Please note that this modification will only allow you to carry a 37" spare on your JL Wrangler tailgate. It will NOT prevent damage caused from the spare catching on a ledge or large obstacle while off-roading. Measures should be taken to prevent that from happening. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[JTCO]

Great work. Nice fit. Where can those well nuts be picked up?

[wayoflife]

Great work. Nice fit. Where can those well nuts be picked up?

I got mine at my local Lowes Hardware store. It'll be in the specialty hardware section with all the drawers.

[OverlanderJL]

Looks awesome and fits well!


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[OverlanderJL]

Great work. Nice fit. Where can those well nuts be picked up?

As Eddie said Lowe’s had them here. Ace hardware might too. People at Lowe’s and Home Depot have no clue what they are though so you’re on your own.


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[wayoflife]

Looks awesome and fits well!

It isn't my first choice in how best to carry a spare but it's working surprisingly better than I would have expected.

As Eddie said Lowe’s had them here. Ace hardware might too. People at Lowe’s and Home Depot have no clue what they are though so you’re on your own.

LOL!! This is so true in most big city hardware stores.

[kpig]

Pretty clever. Looks like you are enjoying the JL.

[BillArnett]

Somehow I’m feeling like this isn’t the end of the story for Jet Li’s spare....

[Cozdude]

Looks great! Thanks for the video write up!! Always loved the idea of doing the hockey pucks to extend the spare. I would prob still be running the stock carrier on my jk if I saw this years ago before I got the or fab carrier. I have about 5k hockey pucks laying around my house is why lol!

[wayoflife]

Pretty clever. Looks like you are enjoying the JL.

LOVIN it

Somehow I’m feeling like this isn’t the end of the story for Jet Li’s spare....

As I've said before, this wasn't our first choice in how to carry a full size spare, just the only option that seemed viable at the time.

Looks great! Thanks for the video write up!! Always loved the idea of doing the hockey pucks to extend the spare. I would prob still be running the stock carrier on my jk if I saw this years ago before I got the or fab carrier. I have about 5k hockey pucks laying around my house is why lol!

LOL!! Definitely a simple mod that gets the job done.