HOW TO: Relocate Spare Tire

kylewilley · Apr 27, 2009

Hey everyone. I finished relocating my spare and personally I really don't know why Jeep ever thought it was a good idea to mount it how they did but I guess it just gives people like me something to work on

. Anyway I am really happy with what I did and I figured I would post up some pictures so anybody that is thinking about doing it could look at the pictures and that would help their decision. Here they are:

Outside view

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Regular size spare fits perfectly layed flat

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I have a DC to AC converter for my 12V port in the cargo area so I can hook up my laptop anywhere and use the available wifi

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Here are just some more outside edited pics of my jeep.. the black on the bumpers,fenders,gas cap, grille is NOT stock, I personally sprayed it all with truck bed liner, it was originally all blue like the rest but I like it muchhh better now. aahh I can't wait to get some wheel spacers to widen this thing out and get my mud tires back on (i have just normal tread 235/85 16s on it right now because i drive 200 miles four days a week for the next year..)!!

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kj924 · Apr 27, 2009

I hope you strapped that tire down in the back, or in an accident it will be a lethal projectile.

The pics are a little dark, but I like the way your flares turned out.

I took my spare tire off too, and the mount as well. The spare will kill your rear gate...Jeep's poor idea.

kylewilley · Apr 27, 2009

haha nope I can't say it is strapped. I have the cover that goes over the cargo area that could basically stop a fly in a high speed rollover/wreck ha ha. I will have to make up something to hold it down. I have been thinking about making some type of shelf to sit between the tire and the cover to hold my flashlights and such so I could make that hold it down somehow.

Ry' N Jen · Apr 27, 2009

I figure using a stock "Rear mounted" tire carrier and bolting it onto the the hood of out KJ with a reinforcing plate underneath on the bottom/backside of the hood to "Re-enforce the mounting of the tire.
I already have a spare '04 alloy wheel that just happened to roll into my driveway!
All I need now is a rear tire mount!

Corwyyn · Apr 27, 2009

Ryan09 said:
I figure using a stock "Rear mounted" tire carrier and bolting it onto the the hood of out KJ with a reinforcing plate underneath on the bottom/backside of the hood to "Re-enforce the mounting of the tire.

I know they used to do that on the old style Rovers and other 4WD vehicles but I just can't see trying to look out my front windshield around my spare, plus it would probably block the grilles I'm planning on putting in the hood in a month or so.

Not to mention that the local LEOs would probably find it a bit... wrong

Ry' N Jen · Apr 27, 2009

Corwyyn said:
I know they used to do that on the old style Rovers and other 4WD vehicles but I just can't see trying to look out my front windshield around my spare, plus it would probably block the grilles I'm planning on putting in the hood in a month or so.

Not to mention that the local LEOs would probably find it a bit... wrong

Sorry dude, but i dont quite understand what your are saying!
"plus it would probably block the grilles I'm planning on putting in the hood in a month or so."
Out of curiosity... Just what do you mean?

Corwyyn · Apr 28, 2009

Ryan09 said:
Sorry dude, but i dont quite understand what your are saying!
"plus it would probably block the grilles I'm planning on putting in the hood in a month or so."
Out of curiosity... Just what do you mean?

Sorry, maybe 'Louvers' would have been more appropriate. Something like these on Troy's KJ:

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kjweston · Apr 28, 2009

kylewilley said:
Hey everyone. I finished relocating my spare and personally I really don't know why Jeep ever thought it was a good idea to mount it how they did but I guess it just gives people like me something to work on . Anyway I am really happy with what I did and I figured I would post up some pictures so anybody that is thinking about doing it could look at the pictures and that would help their decision. Here they are:

Outside view

You must be registered for see images attach

Regular size spare fits perfectly layed flat

You must be registered for see images attach

I have a DC to AC converter for my 12V port in the cargo area so I can hook up my laptop anywhere and use the available wifi

You must be registered for see images attach

Here are just some more outside edited pics of my jeep.. the black on the bumpers,fenders,gas cap, grille is NOT stock, I personally sprayed it all with truck bed liner, it was originally all blue like the rest but I like it muchhh better now. aahh I can't wait to get some wheel spacers to widen this thing out and get my mud tires back on (i have just normal tread 235/85 16s on it right now because i drive 200 miles four days a week for the next year..)!!

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

hey, what bed liner did you use? Ive been thinking about doing this but herculiner just seems a little too rough

kylewilley · Apr 28, 2009

haha. well I don't have alot of money so I simply use the "Truck Bed Liner" spray can from walmart. It goes on very smooth and clean if you know what you are doing...it has a nice hard and gritty feel to it and I have yet to see it chip. I imagine the more expensive stuff would be even better but thats all I can afford. It is about 8 dollars a can and the can goes pretty quick.

kjweston · May 1, 2009

kylewilley said:
It goes on very smooth and clean if you know what you are doing...

That's just the kind of thing i was looking for and its way cheaper than line-x and name-brand bed liners. Anything special for prep? sand? prime? Since yours hasn't chipped yet figure i might as well do it like you did.

kylewilley · May 1, 2009

Well, the first time i ever did it which was on the front bumper, I cleaned it real good and sanded it and primed it. It turned out alright but something just didn't seem right. Anyway I ended up redoing the front and on everything else I did no sanding or priming and it turned out great. To make it simple, just clean all the dirt off the area you are painting and then just put the coating on straight (NO sanding or prime!). When it first gets sprayed on, it will bubble up and look kind of funny but don't worry it dries smooth. Also do your best to spray it on with 1 or two light coats, so it does not run, because it comes out thick and fast. Goodluck

kjweston · May 3, 2009

alright thanks man.

nzoliver · May 3, 2009

Corwyyn said:
I know they used to do that on the old style Rovers and other 4WD vehicles but I just can't see trying to look out my front windshield around my spare, plus it would probably block the grilles I'm planning on putting in the hood in a month or so.

Not to mention that the local LEOs would probably find it a bit... wrong

Hi,
I have had loads of Land Rovers with the spare on the bonnet. Doesnt cause much proble with view due to the seating position in them (bolt upright!!). Makes lifting the bonnet a 2 ****** affair tho

LR Wheels and crossply mudgrip tyres ain't light

Anyhoo, have a Cherokee now (Liberty to yoos guys). I wouldn't use up VALUABLE real estate in the back with a spare.

As for big wheels and tyres....I dunno. My grandfather used a Jeep in WWII in the Islands and they only had standard tyres and suspension. They got where they needed to go. Same with the British in Africa expanding the Empire

. Bog standard LRs.

Will be an interesting debate for years I guess untill we are all not allowed to have 4x4s unless we can plug em in!! Yuk!(blarg)

LibertyFever · Jun 2, 2009

I like the idea of relocating the spare tire but not into the rear on my Libby. It just takes up too much space. I put mine in the roof basket and held it down with a trailer spare tire bracket.

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And yes it does affect me gas mileage a bit.

HoosierJeeper · Jun 2, 2009

LibertyFever said:
I like the idea of relocating the spare tire but not into the rear on my Libby. It just takes up too much space. I put mine in the roof basket and held it down with a trailer spare tire bracket.

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And yes it does affect me gas mileage a bit.

Looks nice and rugged.

Ry' N Jen · Jun 3, 2009

Looks cool, but must be a real pain to get on and off of the roof!
Not to mention adding to the already top heavy center of gravity.

Treyz02KJ · Jun 4, 2009

Ryan09 said:
Looks cool, but must be a real pain to get on and off of the roof!
Not to mention adding to the already top heavy center of gravity.

*knock on wood*

but the liberty is the first vehicle I have NEVER had a flat on.

I've loved it enough to keep it in good shoes though. I've rotated them a few times i guess. but its so much better when its not on the side of the road..

I guess I just don't see the benefit of having it anywhere but on the back. Not to mention the exposure of that ugly molded(for the spare) bumper. If the bumper was normal looking under there I might consider it. As it was, I was glad to buy the 5th wheel/tire when ordering wheels just to avoid trying to 'hide' that odd ball spare. Even though I considered it, to get better tires.

KJedmonton · Jun 9, 2009

I think I am going to have to move my spare to the roof (bike rack issue) and I just don't trust the hitch extension. So I am wondering if anyone has fabed up a cover for the rear bumper to cover the spare indent?
This is what I mean... I hope LibertyFever does not mind that I used his jeep but it was right there...
Edit...If its possible it might be a good spot to flush mount a reverse light?

Redbone · Sep 17, 2009

kylewilley said:
haha nope I can't say it is strapped. I have the cover that goes over the cargo area that could basically stop a fly in a high speed rollover/wreck ha ha. I will have to make up something to hold it down. I have been thinking about making some type of shelf to sit between the tire and the cover to hold my flashlights and such so I could make that hold it down somehow.

If u haven't found a way to safely tie it down yet consider covering ti with a heavy webbing such as the pickup tailgate webs. I'm sure u can figure a heavy duty point to bolt each side down.
________
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boebr1 · Sep 26, 2009

ummm... Jeep put the tire on the outside so us soccer dads had room for our kids stuff. i hate to say it, but your average buyer wants room for groceries. Interior space in a Liby is already limited. and the average buyer wants something that looks rugged (tire outside fits that bill), and has a little room inside. I am guessing you don't go camping... or you don't have to use the back seat for kids. and while the gate mounted spare can cause damage to the gate, it is pretty much only if you back into something, get rear-ended, or you like to jump it, or you run a larger spare. I will relocate mine too, but it will be on it's own carrier on a greased spindle mount on a heavy duty rear bumper, so it will still be outside, and still mess up the gate if i get rear-ended. but, i will be able to jump it... just gotta get a dukes of hazard horn first! LOL

HOW TO: Relocate Spare Tire

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