I have a 1987, stock, that I bought new. She is now in the process of having some mid-life changes. I am wanting to move the spare tire to the outside to have more space in the rear cargo area. I want a external tire carrier with the ability to mount a jerry can as well. I have read, and heard, some not too kind words about the Smittybilt XRC rear bumper, though from the looks of it, it has what I would like. Any suggestions for those of you have who have already traveled this road? Obviously, my budget is limited, but I am willing to put off the swap until I can get something that I won't regret. Thanks is advance for any and all responses.

 

First question, can you weld? If you can, you can build a swingout kit for about $500 that will hold a jerry can. Dirtbound offroad has two options for tire carrier bumpers that will hold jerry cans. JCR's tire carrier while expensive is build very stout and shouldnt give you any issues as well.

 

Honestly Smittybilt is the cheapest rear tire carrier i would run myself.The cheaper ones you find are from companies i do not trust at all,They either take 6 months to send you your stuff if at all.Or the design lacks the extra brackets and support a tire carrier needs for the weight.The rest out there your looking a grand and more depending who made it.Teh jcr off road one is about 1300 bucks but is tough as nails and you can get the RotoPax brackets added on for 70 bucks those you can get RotoPax 2 gallon cans or anything RotoPax offers.

 

The smittybilt bumper is not that bad. There are better bumpers out there but they cost more. I have had mine for 2 years and it does what is supposed to.

 

That's funny because my bumper from dirtbound shipped in 2 weeks and has in frame tie in brackets... Gotta read up a bit more man.

 

I'm in process of building my own. I've got maybe $200 in materials into it and it's exactly like I want it. Don't ask how much I've got into the tooling or time invested.

 

Do they all have the tire stick out like that? I guess I've never really paid much attention, but that looks awkward.

 

no it comes straight up and down.

 

I wasn't talking about dirtbound they cost more then the smittybilt last time i checked.I'm talking about some of those ebay bumper companies like logans that take a year to send you stuff if at all.