4.3L XJ

Worked on my spare tire carrier today. I started with a OEM carrier I got for $25 from the pick and pull. The way I figured it, If I didn't use any more than the latch, which would be hard to build, I was ahead of the game. I brought all the pieces home and have been thinking about this for probably a good year or so. Don't want to get in a hurry here. The thing is that I have an aluminum bumper on the rear that I built for a winch also. So I couldn't use the entire stock setup anyway. So I started out with just the brackets. I had to raise the whole thing up and slant i forward on the top and kick the top out. So I made this top bracket that is just like the original cast iron bracket, accept it is upside down on the mounting surface.



The bottom bracket is a cast piece that bolts into the factory bumper. My bumper sticks out farther to accommodate a winch, so after raising it up I made this mounting point on the bottom.



Here is a pic of the winch sitting in its intended spot and the latch receiver welded in place. Not much room left here.



Then I made some cuts in the tubing and rewelded so it had some more curve to it. I don't have any pics of this. But the bracket had to be repositioned so it was time to cut a little steel and start welding





I also repositioned the handle so it would not be so exposed to getting hit. This carrier also uses a top rubber bumper. The one that came with it was a little thrashed, so I pulled out an auxiliary spring snubber I have been carrying around for too many years now through two moves and mounted it to this aluminum plate.



I spaced it out and screwed and JB Welded it to the fiberglass tailgate. I also repositioned the adjustable snubber bolt.



Well, now it is on, but still has some uglies that need to be smoothed up and painted. Tomorrow I have to move the license plate and make a lighted frame to fit inside the spare. Will post some more tomorrow.


Finallt got it done, as least for right now. I managed to loose the special shoulder bolts and had to get some more, which did not fit exactly. So I had to ream out the brass spherical joints in the hinge, which was a pain because they are impregnated with oil and don't ream very fast. But I got some paint on it and got the tire on it too.







I also relocated the license plate from behind the tire, but no pic of that. I suppose I should shine up that wheel, but later. Lots of other things to do before going to the rocks.

xjheep92

looks good!

4.3L XJ

Thanks. I have been nickel and diming this project for a year now. It was about time.

odgreen

wow!.......awesome!

Char92dj8

Yup, i want one!!!!!!!!!

4.3L XJ

This is really just a stocker I modified to fit my bumper. It sits about 4" higher than stock and tilts forward more to support the tire weight more evenly. You can find the whole thing on early XJs

Jeepfreak1020

good design and all, but I wouldent trust that just bolts to the body with a 33 or bigger. As it really is only sheet metal. Maybe if you add some quarter guards then weld it to it to beef it up a little. Just my .02

4.3L XJ

That is one reason I tilted the rack. It distributes the weight more to the rest of the areas.

nismo5

looks good steve !!

4.3L XJ

Thanks Tim