This is a very hard to install the best advice i can give is take you time and go slow measure 4 times then drill once. Go to harbor freight and pick up a set of transfer punches are on of the best investments if you are going to do a lot of mods on your jeep and a mechanic mirror. You have to use a small angle drill an air drill fits the best. Tape a large area of the body with painters tape on the out side about were you are going to make the hole this will help with chipping the paint on the out side. Then with the bracket installed on the inside of the drivers side light recess use the 1/2 inch transfer punch to punch the center of the hole for the latch. You may have to hit the punch a couple of times to get a good center you can swing the hammer to well in there. Now use a small bit on the angle drill like a 1/16 or 3/32 and drill out you will need the mirror to see and make sure you are center on the mark. After that is finished you will have your center hole now switch to the hole saw and drill from the out side make sure you only cut through the first layer of sheet metal. Now you will have a 1 inch hole in the first layer of sheet-metal and a small hole in the second that was enlarged by the hole saw pilot bit. Finally you can drill out the 2nd layer with the 1/2 inch bit.

 

Well...... Finally just got it all buttoned up.

I can say a couple of things......

1- yes, it's a VERY solid carrier, build is nice, parts are nice, materials are nice and over all fit and finish is great. Solid as a rock, and it better be with all the internal bracing you have to do.

2- I'm no "mechcanic" but I do all my own mods and im handy with a wrench and have a shit tons of tool. From engine over hauls, to turbo add ons, to lifts, etc etc, I've done a lot. And this was the biggest pain in the ass thing I have ever done to vechical ever. I'm mean seriously, there were times when I thought it was a joke, like a literal joke, like ok, where are the hidden camera's? They couldent possible have written directions this bad, and made a product this good, be so hard to assemble. If I didn't know people have allready done this, I would have thought it was a prank.

Which brings me to my 3rd point....

I got a killer deal on this thing, and I can honestly say, if I didn't get that deal, I would have sent it back. It was not worth paying over $600 AND THEN have to deal with that install.

To be honest, if I ever get another jeep, I would gladly pay double for another tire carrier, then have to do that again.

2 days....

10 hours....

Busted knuckles....

Nope. Never again.....

Thanx to all for the help. I'm gonna go get that hammer out of the dry wall that I threw.

 

They do take time but its not as bad as you make it out to be . mine was installed on my 2011 then transfered over to my 2012 wich makes it 5 years old , seen extreme weather conditions . only issue i see is the hinges get stiff with no grease . some point the bolts have to come out i think to be greased . but i think it was one of the best mods on the jeep and i payed full price and feel it was worth it . I like the fact its not like the ones that open and close with the door. and it gives you options to screw , drill tap, any thing else you want to add to it with racks and stuff

* Im glad Or Fab made them . Solid dependable well made, trouble free .
Like oh9jk shows on his post they hold full jerry cans, jacks, tire and hold it no problem, what more could you want . besides greaseable hinges
like anything , once youve done it and know what to do , you could cut that time almost in half if you were to do it again. And have the correct tools ready