drop down or swing out?

DLOR

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 13, 2007
Location
Chapel Hill
I was thinking of some ideas for a rear bumper on my xj. its got to hold a 35" spare. I was looking at building a drop down tire carrier using bushings and pins, or a swing out tire carrier using a trailer spindle. I have made/had a swing outs before and just looking for something different. anyone have any experiences with the drop down style? likes/dislikes? I know that lifting it up might suck but I don't use the jeep that much(not my dd).
 
Honestly, I loved the way my swing out looked on my XJ, but HATED how much of a PITA is was if you wanted to get in the hatch for tools, cooler, ect... Not to mention how many times I drug it on high incline angles. It's also a high possibility that you'll eventually bust out the back glass when the spare starts to rub the ground.

Ditch the idea and throw your spare on the roof.

Before

xj10.jpg






After


xj.jpg
 
I put the spare on the roof ONCE! putting it up was not fun when it was a 31" and getting it off was scary at best. i also don't like the added weight up high. not looking to do that again
 
Well, if you're going to mount it on the back, put it as high as possible.

And I was able to get my full size 35" spare on and off the roof by myself, not saying it wasnt sketchy, but it's doable.
 
Drop downs look cool, but are stupid because they are heavy and impractical. Swing out is the smart option.
Or you could build a tire carrier for the rear cargo area to hold it at an angle, I think a 35 would fit if you measured twice and cut once.

I ran 36's for a while and kept a spare on the roof. wasn't horrible to throw it up and down but I also didn't do it often lol. Once a trip max.
 
Yep. Swing out for sure. Not only is mine a real pain to get lifted back up, when you need access to the back the tire is swung down in the way and you have to lean over (rough on the back) or climb on the tire.
 
buddyantunez1 said:
Well, if you're going to mount it on the back, put it as high as possible.

And I was able to get my full size 35" spare on and off the roof by myself, not saying it wasnt sketchy, but it's doable.
Click to expand...

I understand departure angle, but raising the center of gravity in an offroad rig is NEVER a good idea.
 
Ron said:
I understand departure angle, but raising the center of gravity in an offroad rig is NEVER a good idea.
Click to expand...

I agree, but for the most practical place for guys who use their cargo area frequently, it's the best option if you want to retain the back glass. I don't think 50lbs made much of a difference on mine, even at aggressive angles of bank. Not to mention I already had the rack and lights up top. I've seen people bust out a back glass, and then the search begins for a used hatch, finding matching color/trim, or paying for the glass replacement.

Putting it in the cargo area defeats the purpose of even having that free space. Or maybe I just like to carry EVERYTHING spare just in case lol.
 
buddyantunez1 said:
I agree, but for the most practical place for guys who use their cargo area frequently, it's the best option if you want to retain the back glass. I don't think 50lbs made much of a difference on mine, even at aggressive angles of bank. Not to mention I already had the rack and lights up top. I've seen people bust out a back glass, and then the search begins for a used hatch, finding matching color/trim, or paying for the glass replacement.

Putting it in the cargo area defeats the purpose of even having that free space. Or maybe I just like to carry EVERYTHING spare just in case lol.
Click to expand...

First 50lbs? Better be a 31 and an aluminum wheel and even then...

I guess I am confused how a solid rear carrier will let the tire get into the glass, but Ive never wheeled an XJ so maybe thats my problem.
 
I have wheeled my old ZJ with a tire in the cargo area, tire on the roof, and tire on a swing out tire carrier (no, not all at once haha). All had plenty of pros and cons. For me, a unibody rig is already top heavy and getting a tire on the roof was a real PITA especially if you were at an angle when you needed said tire. Inside took up too much cargo room (but now having a TJ, there was still plenty of room in the ZJ). Swing out tire carrier is where I ended up. I did drag the tire a few times, and opening the hatch when on a side angle sucked but in the end it was worth the hassle.
 
Best picture I have to explain. It barely missed rubbing the ground here, but it rubbed on the 1st and 3rd ledges at URE on Daniel. Basically I'm cautioning the OP to mount the tire as high on the swing out as possible, so it won't contact the ground. If it does hard enough while moving forward, glass goes everywhere.




tire rub.jpg
 
on the roof is not a option for me. I don't have a basket, nor do I like the look. I had a swing out carrier before and had no problems with it, just time to build something different. I don't think putting it inside is gonna work either. tool boxes, cooler, and gear cases take up a lot of room. maybe I just need to rearrange the cargo area to incorporate a tire (hmmm?).
 
You can fit a 33 in rear where orginal spare was just needs custom brackets. Still takes up room and adds a bit of a blind spot.
Also can make a deck for your supplies if you lay tire flat and slide it in and out.
 
yeah I have seen those before. pretty sweet but the ratchet idea seems like a pita. I guess now I'm debating on whether to do the swing out or lay it flat in the cargo area.
 
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