I want to throw my spare tire on my XJ for good. Mainly because I'm tired of looking at it in the garage, and I like the look of mounting it. It's probably going to have to go on the roof. Since I don't want to replace my rear tube bumper, and don't want to use my hitch. I have a roof rack, and I plan on using that to help secure it from moving. Would welding bolts to a metal disc and putting that under the rack, then the tire through the lugs, sandwiching it to the rack work?

My suggestion is probably confusing. How do you guys secure your spares?



Also, I figured the fab section would be best, since I'm going to have to make something for this to work.

 

I made one that uses two u-bolts to clamp onto the factory rails and welded a long bolt through a long piece of metal. The bolt goes through the center hole of the wheel with a wing nut and a top plate that has a peg through it that goes in to a lug hole to keep it from turning. Also chain welded to the top plate and half a link of chain on the wing nut to lock it.

I think this could work for yours. You could weld in the bottom plate to your rack or if you don't want to weld it in use the u-bolts.

 

I used two pieces of angle iron to connect the cross rails and put all thread through them to bolt the wheel down. With a 35 on the roof it was way too top heavy and was only on there for one trip. Also caught every low hanging branch within a mile, at least it seemed that way.

 

That's pretty much what I was talking about. Perfect! I actually remember seeing your post in the homebrew thread or somewhere. I liked the XJ tag.

Thanks!

Ah, forgot about that. I think I'd be fine though. I'm no higher than a stock Expedition, and added a 31 shouldn't put me up there. I throw my tire on when I go out to the trail, and I don't hit the top of my garage or anything.

 

Must be nice I can't even fit in my garage. Too wide and tall.

 

Eh, I'm in a parking garage, since I live in an apartment building, so it's a bit taller. Back when I was looking at getting a truck, I had to disregard a Bronco or a K5, since I wouldn't be able to lift it and park it.