Oversized Spare Tire problem

[calemasters]

I’m going to try this again because I think I haven’t made my problem clear. I know I’m not the first Wrangler owner to have this problem. Here goes: I put 35’s on my 2021 Wrangler and wanted an oversized spare. I purchased a LT315/70R/17 on a stock Jeep 17” inch wheel. it will not fit. I’ve installed a RC adapter to lift the brake light another 2”. still no luck. The studs simply will not extend enough to get a lug nut on them. I’ve talked with two guys at mechanic/tires stores and a man at Autozone. No one knows. Any help?

I have tire size LT315/70R/17 on the stock Jeep 17” inch wheel and of course the rear view camera. The spare fits perfectly with no modifications. I also have the OEM Jeep steel bumpers. Maybe the bumpers are the difference? Also the Rubicon may have a different wheel offset.

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[The Last Cowboy]

I removed the 3rd brake light bracket and mounted the light directly to the spare tire mount.

If you need a little more space, stack some thick 1/2” grade 8 washers on the mount lugs. I have 2 on each lug, for 3/8” of an inch more space. I also have the Metalcloak spare tire relocation bracket linked to above.

 

[ForgottenTaco]

Easy test you can do. Remove the brake light mount from the carrier and

I removed the 3rd brake light bracket and mounted the light directly to the spare tire mount.

If you need a little more space, stack some thick 1/2” grade 8 washers on the mount lugs. I have 2 on each lug, for 3/8” of an inch more space. I also have the Metalcloak spare tire relocation bracket linked to above.

Mounting the brake light like that is a genius idea. Super simple fix.

 

[zouch]

why?

can you clarify; what is the point of contact?
i.e.: what is preventing the wheel from moving far enough onto the spare mount?
is it just that your rubber bump stops need to be trimmed? or are you hitting the rear bumper? (be advised that there are several different bumpers that come stock on the backs of these things; some allow clearance for a larger tire, some don't. but without pics, we can't tell what you're working with.)

I’ve relocated it, I’ve lifter the brake light. It just seems that I need longer lugs.

 

[oldcjguy]

I have the factory steel bumper and factory rims. I had to let some air out of the spare and it bolted right up. I think I had to go down to 18 or 20 psi and the tire would sit on the bumper step itself, but the tire sits flat against the stock mounting plate and bolts right up.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

You could always go the route I'm going, and put a oversized tire in your cargo area. Sure you lose your cargo area, but you don't have to worry about ruining your spare nor your liftgate when you drop off large ledges while off-roading.

Who knew, 37 fit inside the cargo area with relative ease.

Rough Country makes a tire carrier designed for pickup trucks that will actually work quite well with a modified cargo area.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Easy test you can do. Remove the brake light mount from the carrier and

Mounting the brake light like that is a genius idea. Super simple fix.

Thanks. I always hated the look that 3rd brake light bracket and the light sticking up over the tire. Plus it ways made creaking noises.

I made the bracket from a thick piece of rigid plastic. In this case, part of a Harley license plate mount that I had laying around. The piece has to be long enough to bridge the gap on top of the spare tire mount. I drilled a hole on each end, then into the tire mount. The mount is plastic covered aluminum, so I tapped holes it for some M6 screws. Then, on the plastic part I made, I drilled 2 holes in it to match the mounting holes in the brake light, then a 1/2" hole to allow the harness to plug in from the bottom. The excess wire from the bracket is bundled up and zip tied, then zip tied under the tire mount. So no wiring was cut.

 

[tonyb1224]

You would be the first person ever to need longer lugs, so something else has to be going on. Post a photo of the inside of your wheel where the part number is marked and there is a ET with a number.

Will do

This is almost certainly the problem, but is it a Sport or Rubicon? If it's a Sport, then there is a second problem -- that large of a tire will also rub on the factory rear bumper. You'll need a relocation bracket to move up the tire mounting point, like this: https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/jeep-spare-tire-relocation-plate-10526c

Note that if you get that bracket, it also moves the mount point out, so you would also not have to trim the rubber stoppers as much. Thus, I'd check for rubbing on the bumper first, install whatever bracket, and then trim the rubber.

 

[SBLACK502]

I put 33s on my ‘23 Willys and the spare hit the brake light mount. I had to remove it and ended up getting the mopar brake light relocation mount. The spare tire slightly rubs on the bumper but it fit the carrier. The wiper almost rubs on the spare. You might be able to get a rubicon spare carrier and get away with it. That one sits up a little higher and comes out a little further.

this shows you the difference between the sport carrier and the rubicon.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/oem-spare-tire-carrier-2-different-part-s.38640/

or get one of the relocation mounts for your existing carrier that others have suggested. Just remember if you do that you’ll probably still have an issue with your existing brake light mount.

Did they change something from 21 to 23??? I have a 21 Willy’s with 35’s on stock carrier and factory 3rd light in factory location

 

[azwjowner]

Will do

Aha. That is NOT a stock Jeep wheel. Not for a JL Wrangler. You have a JK wheel from the past generation (2007-18). Although all relevant dimensions (lug pattern, offset, etc.) are the same between the models, the center hole of JK wheels is smaller because they didn't have a backup camera to fit through. I believe it's just small enough that you are probably hitting the camera instead of being able to push the wheel all the way down onto the mount. The other possibility is you're hitting the bumper at the bottom of the tire.

Take that JK wheel back where you bought it and get an actual OEM wheel from the JL, and it'll fit. (You still may need to raise the mount to clear the bumper).

 

[R3TRO]

Did they change something from 21 to 23??? I have a 21 Willy’s with 35’s on stock carrier and factory 3rd light in factory location

Was about to ask this... I have a '20 Willys and my 33" JT Mojave take-off fits perfectly fine on stock hardware, no adjustments needed.

 

[ForgottenTaco]

Did they change something from 21 to 23??? I have a 21 Willy’s with 35’s on stock carrier and factory 3rd light in factory location

That I don’t know.

 

[Silver streak]

I put 33s on my ‘23 Willys and the spare hit the brake light mount. I had to remove it and ended up getting the mopar brake light relocation mount. The spare tire slightly rubs on the bumper but it fit the carrier. The wiper almost rubs on the spare. You might be able to get a rubicon spare carrier and get away with it. That one sits up a little higher and comes out a little further.

this shows you the difference between the sport carrier and the rubicon.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/oem-spare-tire-carrier-2-different-part-s.38640/

or get one of the relocation mounts for your existing carrier that others have suggested. Just remember if you do that you’ll probably still have an issue with your existing brake light mount.

Why don't you guys just move the stock third brake light bracket up. It's looks a lot better than the aftermarket crap

 

[R3TRO]

Why don't you guys just move the stock third brake light bracket up. It's looks a lot better than the aftermarket crap

I could be wrong, but doesn't only the Rubicon brake light have additional holes to adjust up?

 

[ForgottenTaco]

Why don't you guys just move the stock third brake light bracket up. It's looks a lot better than the aftermarket crap

I tried that. The spare still hit the brake light mount.

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