rear tire mount on zj

[bchcky]

not that it has anything to do with it...

the full size spare is a great idea, except for the fact that it takes a big part of the trunk space away in my zj (96 grand). i was recently reading a 4x4 mag and came across an ad for this product...

http://www.warn.com/truck/mounting-systems/rear_xj_bumper.shtml

...a rear spare mount for an xj. obviously this does not help me, but it does give me some hope, i was wondering if anyone knew if a product like this existed for a zj? if not, possibility of modifying this one? or way too much work? build my own with the help of a metal worker? i know i'm reaching here, but i'd like to add some trunk space in my jeep.

ps - xjnick, i've seen pics of your cherokee, and i notice you have your spare on the back, did that come stock on your particular jeep? or is that something you added? thanks in advance for all your help everyone.

 

[graewulf]

Check out pics of my ZJ.. i have the (second, full-size) spare on the roof.. works well there.

 

[bchcky]

Check out pics of my ZJ.. i have the (second, full-size) spare on the roof.. works well there.

yeah, i hadnt thought about that....what does that involve? as far as parts, labor, etc...? something easy?

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

My Cherokee came with the swinging tire rack stock. I've seen quite a few other XJs in my city that also have this stock rack. I do believe that these racks were only a factory option for the '87-89 model years or such :mrgreen:

-Nick :!:

 

[XJNick]

Oh, I forgot to mention... I do remember seeing a Grand Cherokee (one of the older models) around here with a spare tire rack like mine that looked stock. I'm not sure if is was or not, or where they might have gotten it from, though :mrgreen:

-Nick :!:

 

[bchcky]

thanks for the help guys, i guess i'll just have to keep looking around, maybe i'll ask my mechanic if he can recommend any guys that do custom work in the area (boston) though that will set me back a pretty penny.

 

[graewulf]

Check out pics of my ZJ.. i have the (second, full-size) spare on the roof.. works well there.

yeah, i hadnt thought about that....what does that involve? as far as parts, labor, etc...? something easy?

http://irvinefamily.org - lots of pics up there.. including how i built my safari rack.

 

[bchcky]

thanks graewulf! that looks relatively simple to do, i might not be able to though as i live in boston and garages are a regular parking place for me :roll: but its an idea. just one more question for you though, how is your spare secured to the rack on the roof? thanks.

 

[graewulf]

actually, the whole rig is less than 6.5 feet high. i have it secured with bungee cords stretched tight.... the tire doesnt move.

 

[jteckmann]

Rear shudder & klunk

I have a '95 ZJ. I used to keep the spare mounted on the roof rack with tie-down straps - but after a while the vibration/wind noise got on my nerves. And having the spare on a rear tire rack is an annoyance to me - I hate having to swing it open all the time to access the hatch, the loss of rear vision, or I'll wind up backing into things in tight spaces (the ZJ is my daily driver in city traffic)

Eventually, I used 2x4's and plywood to build a new deck riser in the back. I made 2 sections - one that stays in place all the time while the rear seats are up, and another that can be added when the rear seats are down. The deck comes up over the interior wheel wells - so it gives a flat surface from wall to wall (makes it much more comfortable to stretch out & sleep in the back when I'm camping). You can use the space underneath the deck to store the spare tire, power amps for your stereo, jacks, tools, etc.

I like it so much that it's become a permanent addition - I cut some hinged lids in the surface for easier access and put some foam padding and matching carpet on top - now it almost looks like it was OEM. And the loss of vertical clearence or added weight haven't been a problem for me at all.

Here's a link I found from a guy who did the same thing in his XJ - only he kept his spare side mounted, but there's enough room to lay it flat underneath if you want: http://www.jeepin.com/features/cargobed/index.asp

Just another suggestion - hope it helps.

 

[bchcky]

Just what they needed...

yeah i've considered that, but i stack a lot in my trunk, i've got 2 toolboxes, a box of oil, spare fluids, tow straps and some other stuff. rather not have to put some of that stuff up any higher than it already is, i know its in plain view now, but its down below the window line.

i live in boston, city driving when i feel like it, basically to get to and from work, i take the T to school, highway and trails the rest of the time, i'm still leaning towards a rear tire swing, i know my zj well enough that i'm not worried about backing into anything. and i valet for work, i've paralleled (sp?) suburbans into spots i've seen people have trouble with in their smaller sedans, so i'm not too worried about that.

and talk about an old thread, haha, there are many things i'd like to take care of before putting my spare elsewhere.