wader218

Has anyone on here ever thought of putting a spare tire on the rear hatch? The idea I have would use a mount like a wrangler and try to source lift rods that are heavier to handle lifting the weight. It would have a bigger bracket then a wrangler though to try and distribut the weight more evenly throughout the hatch. Do I sound crazy or have other people thought of this or tried it?

Thanks

DieselD

It could probably be done. But I don't see it lifting anything more than a stock size wheel and tire. And I imagine even that would be straining it. Those lift gates especially the steel ones are heavy by them selves.

sthon

I doubt the fiberglass hatch is up for the task. Not to mention the hatch is only attached by two weak hinges.

clawdog60

I would rather come up with an easy on-off tire carrier for the reciever hitch.

DieselD

Yea I assumed he meant steel ones...

sthon

His profile only lists a '96 so I'm assuming he only has a fiberglass hatch.

DieselD

I can't see that info on the app... lol

Stupid app.

Yea OP don't even bother with a fiberglass hatch. Honestly I don't think it would be very practical if you did achieve it even on a steel hatch.

wader218

Ya its fiberglass but it seemed pretty thick in some parts unless its hollow.
I built a tire carrier that goes in the reciever hitch but it moves around to much. The pin broke when I was going down the road at 50 mph, it rotated down, broke the bolt, and I saw my 33 inch tall tire and part of the carrier bounce up, then 50 feet into this guys front yard. I welded it up solid and now its in the way all the time.

wiggles

No, don't do it. You would have to use air charged shocks... Not like the one there but like ones you'd bolt to the underside of the jeep. The fiberglass will crack in half in no time. You don't want a nearly 100 pound tire going through the windshield behind you... It's so much more work than what its worth just think if your a somewhat average guy, if the tire isn't bolted up you have to do a pull up and body slam the hatch just to get it shut, what if your girl has to shut it?

helmut

But has anyone ever done it on a steel hatch? I wouldnt care too much if its hard to open / close as long as it worked and as long as there are shocks that would hold it open.

sthon

I'm sure you could if you reinforce it. Would also have to swap out the hinges for something a bit more HD.

xj_maniac_newb

As strong as the shocks would have to be, without that tire on there i doubt you would be able to get it closed past half way. I know with just the high strength shocks i got off of a mid 90's model explorer that i only used one of, should i of used both i doubt i would be able to get it closed at all without breaking it.

jeepsurfer1

the tire has not been done, basically in order to do it take the lift gate off, weld in a "x" where it used to be mt tire in center and get a third break light. the lift gate EVEN IF IT HELD! would break the hinges over time and leave the gate behind you...

that said if you do it, do a write up.

Lead Foot

Lots of ideas and discussion here. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/sw...carrier-31440/

wader218

Ok thats what I was thinking but just wanted the input to make sure. Scratching that idea. Thanks everyone