MBRP spare tire reinforcement bracket - prep work for install.
03-12-2012, 10:59 AM
#1
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
MBRP spare tire reinforcement bracket - prep work for install.
I decided to try this kit
http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/s...forcement.html
for a little additional reinforcement to the stock tire carrier. Plus I was bored today and needed something to do.
I read quite a few threads on this simple mod and the biggest complaint seemed to be with the removal of the factory tailgate weld nuts; some guys saying they spent up to an hour trying to remove the weld nuts.
Removing the spare tire carrier takes about 3 minutes and is a no brainer. This will gain you access to the tailgate nut holes.
Instead of using the weak bolts that come with the kit for the weld nut removal (as I had heard of these breaking during weld nut removal) I bought three hardened metric bolts to fit the weld nuts. These were 3.25" long and threaded as M8 1.25 pitch.
Using the hardened bolts (and I did still break two of them) it only took me 7 minutes to remove the weld nuts from the inside of the tailgate. It took another 7 or so to fish them out using a magnet on a stick.
When beating on the bolts with the rubber mallet, be sure to watch the bolt carefully. Hopefully it will not break at all, but if it does mine broke about 1/4 to 1/2 way through allowing me to unscrew and discard the bolt instead of fighting with removing part of a bolt broken off in the weld nut. Be observant here. Use a new bolt to finish the task.
All you have to do in screw in the hardened bolt and begin whacking on it with a rubber mallet on the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions until you hear a SNAP! That is the weld nut breaking off inside the tailgate. Then unscrew the bolt from the nut and move to the next one. For what it's worth, the top 4 nuts broke off with little effort, maybe 1 whack from all 4 positions while the bottom 4 nuts required much more beating and effort.
Like I said, use hardened bolts and don't be genteel with the rubber mallet and these come right off.
I know this kit is only a patch on a larger problem, especially for guys running much larger spare tires, but for the stock sized tire or maybe something a tad larger, this mod certainly cannot hurt.
Starting
Closeup
Broken hardened bolts
Nuts removed. Notice weld points on nuts.
http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/s...forcement.html
for a little additional reinforcement to the stock tire carrier. Plus I was bored today and needed something to do.
I read quite a few threads on this simple mod and the biggest complaint seemed to be with the removal of the factory tailgate weld nuts; some guys saying they spent up to an hour trying to remove the weld nuts. Removing the spare tire carrier takes about 3 minutes and is a no brainer. This will gain you access to the tailgate nut holes.
Instead of using the weak bolts that come with the kit for the weld nut removal (as I had heard of these breaking during weld nut removal) I bought three hardened metric bolts to fit the weld nuts. These were 3.25" long and threaded as M8 1.25 pitch.
Using the hardened bolts (and I did still break two of them) it only took me 7 minutes to remove the weld nuts from the inside of the tailgate. It took another 7 or so to fish them out using a magnet on a stick.
When beating on the bolts with the rubber mallet, be sure to watch the bolt carefully. Hopefully it will not break at all, but if it does mine broke about 1/4 to 1/2 way through allowing me to unscrew and discard the bolt instead of fighting with removing part of a bolt broken off in the weld nut. Be observant here. Use a new bolt to finish the task.
All you have to do in screw in the hardened bolt and begin whacking on it with a rubber mallet on the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions until you hear a SNAP! That is the weld nut breaking off inside the tailgate. Then unscrew the bolt from the nut and move to the next one. For what it's worth, the top 4 nuts broke off with little effort, maybe 1 whack from all 4 positions while the bottom 4 nuts required much more beating and effort.
Like I said, use hardened bolts and don't be genteel with the rubber mallet and these come right off.
I know this kit is only a patch on a larger problem, especially for guys running much larger spare tires, but for the stock sized tire or maybe something a tad larger, this mod certainly cannot hurt.
Starting
Closeup
Broken hardened bolts
Nuts removed. Notice weld points on nuts.
Last edited by dan3jeeps; 03-12-2012 at 11:05 AM.
03-12-2012, 09:29 PM
#5
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
I am currently running a stock sized spare; 255/75/17 on an aluminum wheel. It weighs in at exactly 60 lbs, BTW. I ordered the kit for install and when I get that mounted I will throw on a 285/70/17 on that same factory rim. I will not be running it for long, just several months until I figure out what bumper/tire combo I mat eventually go with.
I will keep the process updated for those who wish to make the most of the stock spare tire carrier.
I will keep the process updated for those who wish to make the most of the stock spare tire carrier.
03-12-2012, 09:45 PM
#6
JK Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: GA Coast
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 285/75-17 on my stock carrier. Weight with wheel 65-70 lbs. I have no problems what so ever with stress or it bouncing around. I hear alot of stories but have yet to experience any of them. Only think I can think of that may have helped me is the fact I made custom rear bumper brackets to rais my bumper after a body lift.Bottom of my tire actually "rubs" or "sits" on my bumper when tailgate is closed.
03-13-2012, 02:58 AM
#7
JK Super Freak
When I have nothing good to say, I usually don't say anything, but with this product I have to chime in.
It doesn't work ! Waste of money ! It advertises you can run 35s with these reinforced tailgate brackets, you can't !
The tailgate is two rectangular sheets welded together back and front. With a heavier than stock tire too much stress on the outer sheet will lead to the spot welds breaking and popping - take a look at the inner sheet for 1/2inch circular dimples, those are the welds that will break.
If you're running stock tires, it cannot hurt, but for 35s and larger you need a rear tire carrier. Period.
Not meant as a rant, I feel annoyed at this product, its advertised use, and this post will save you the same.
It doesn't work ! Waste of money ! It advertises you can run 35s with these reinforced tailgate brackets, you can't !
The tailgate is two rectangular sheets welded together back and front. With a heavier than stock tire too much stress on the outer sheet will lead to the spot welds breaking and popping - take a look at the inner sheet for 1/2inch circular dimples, those are the welds that will break.
If you're running stock tires, it cannot hurt, but for 35s and larger you need a rear tire carrier. Period.
Not meant as a rant, I feel annoyed at this product, its advertised use, and this post will save you the same.
Last edited by westchester; 03-13-2012 at 04:39 AM.
Trending Topics
03-13-2012, 05:31 AM
#8
I went with this kit because my factory carrier started to crack. And that was with a 33 on it!
I also bought the Olympic steel tire carrier. It bolts right up to the factory holes.
I ran this set-up for about a year with a 315/70R-17 spare. Absolutely solid, no issues.
I understand some folks have seen spot welds popping and such. Maybe the spare took a hit when off-road?
Last summer I went to Colorado and then over to Moab, tons of off-roading, again no issues.
I have never been comfortable with the spare bolted to the tailgate, at least not the way the factory has it.
In December I installed the OR-Fab spare tire/gas can carrier. Now there is nothing bolted to the tailgate except a tramp stamp!
I think you can use the MBRP kit for awhile. But eventually you should get the tire off the tailgate, either with a rear bumper/carrier combo or a spare carrier like the OR-Fab.
I also bought the Olympic steel tire carrier. It bolts right up to the factory holes.
I ran this set-up for about a year with a 315/70R-17 spare. Absolutely solid, no issues.
I understand some folks have seen spot welds popping and such. Maybe the spare took a hit when off-road?
Last summer I went to Colorado and then over to Moab, tons of off-roading, again no issues.
I have never been comfortable with the spare bolted to the tailgate, at least not the way the factory has it.
In December I installed the OR-Fab spare tire/gas can carrier. Now there is nothing bolted to the tailgate except a tramp stamp!
I think you can use the MBRP kit for awhile. But eventually you should get the tire off the tailgate, either with a rear bumper/carrier combo or a spare carrier like the OR-Fab.
03-13-2012, 06:18 AM
#9
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
EClass,
The tire resting on the bumper seems to help. I have read here where other jeepers have done that and I imagine that can only help. The tailgate ain't the strongest compilation of sheet metal to work with, but it does seem to be a decent platform from which to work, as long as the tire size does not become ridiculously large/heavy.
westchester,
I agree. I think that 35's are too much tire for the tailgate. Some guys here state they have run a 35 for a year or two with no issues but the majority of guys opt for something else and many times from a bad experience with the combo of that large a tire and the factory carrier.
This kit distributes the weight over a bit wider area and adds some additional support to the 2 layers of sheet metal. Will it hold up? Only time will tell. At this point I cannot argue whether or not it is "a waste of money" or not. Perhaps for 35's or even the heaviest of 33's w/steel wheels it is not sufficient. But I do contend that for stock tires or even tires a tad larger than stock, it certainly can't hurt. And for $30.00 it is an inexpensive project that gets me into the garage.
texwillys,
I like the idea of the metal tire carrier. I could not believe how light the stock carrier was when I removed it. How much did the metal carrier weigh? I may have to look into that as part of this project. Does it NOT have a provision for the raised brake light?
I really really like the OR FAB swing out tire carrier you now have. That is what I am ultimately shooting for, I think. How much time and e3fort was invloved with installing that?
The tire resting on the bumper seems to help. I have read here where other jeepers have done that and I imagine that can only help. The tailgate ain't the strongest compilation of sheet metal to work with, but it does seem to be a decent platform from which to work, as long as the tire size does not become ridiculously large/heavy.
westchester,
I agree. I think that 35's are too much tire for the tailgate. Some guys here state they have run a 35 for a year or two with no issues but the majority of guys opt for something else and many times from a bad experience with the combo of that large a tire and the factory carrier.
This kit distributes the weight over a bit wider area and adds some additional support to the 2 layers of sheet metal. Will it hold up? Only time will tell. At this point I cannot argue whether or not it is "a waste of money" or not. Perhaps for 35's or even the heaviest of 33's w/steel wheels it is not sufficient. But I do contend that for stock tires or even tires a tad larger than stock, it certainly can't hurt. And for $30.00 it is an inexpensive project that gets me into the garage.
texwillys,
I like the idea of the metal tire carrier. I could not believe how light the stock carrier was when I removed it. How much did the metal carrier weigh? I may have to look into that as part of this project. Does it NOT have a provision for the raised brake light?
I really really like the OR FAB swing out tire carrier you now have. That is what I am ultimately shooting for, I think. How much time and e3fort was invloved with installing that?
Last edited by dan3jeeps; 03-13-2012 at 06:21 AM.
03-13-2012, 07:44 AM
#10
EClass,
The tire resting on the bumper seems to help. I have read here where other jeepers have done that and I imagine that can only help. The tailgate ain't the strongest compilation of sheet metal to work with, but it does seem to be a decent platform from which to work, as long as the tire size does not become ridiculously large/heavy.
westchester,
I agree. I think that 35's are too much tire for the tailgate. Some guys here state they have run a 35 for a year or two with no issues but the majority of guys opt for something else and many times from a bad experience with the combo of that large a tire and the factory carrier.
This kit distributes the weight over a bit wider area and adds some additional support to the 2 layers of sheet metal. Will it hold up? Only time will tell. At this point I cannot argue whether or not it is "a waste of money" or not. Perhaps for 35's or even the heaviest of 33's w/steel wheels it is not sufficient. But I do contend that for stock tires or even tires a tad larger than stock, it certainly can't hurt. And for $30.00 it is an inexpensive project that gets me into the garage.
texwillys,
I like the idea of the metal tire carrier. I could not believe how light the stock carrier was when I removed it. How much did the metal carrier weigh? I may have to look into that as part of this project. Does it NOT have a provision for the raised brake light?
I really really like the OR FAB swing out tire carrier you now have. That is what I am ultimately shooting for, I think. How much time and e3fort was invloved with installing that?
The tire resting on the bumper seems to help. I have read here where other jeepers have done that and I imagine that can only help. The tailgate ain't the strongest compilation of sheet metal to work with, but it does seem to be a decent platform from which to work, as long as the tire size does not become ridiculously large/heavy.
westchester,
I agree. I think that 35's are too much tire for the tailgate. Some guys here state they have run a 35 for a year or two with no issues but the majority of guys opt for something else and many times from a bad experience with the combo of that large a tire and the factory carrier.
This kit distributes the weight over a bit wider area and adds some additional support to the 2 layers of sheet metal. Will it hold up? Only time will tell. At this point I cannot argue whether or not it is "a waste of money" or not. Perhaps for 35's or even the heaviest of 33's w/steel wheels it is not sufficient. But I do contend that for stock tires or even tires a tad larger than stock, it certainly can't hurt. And for $30.00 it is an inexpensive project that gets me into the garage.
texwillys,
I like the idea of the metal tire carrier. I could not believe how light the stock carrier was when I removed it. How much did the metal carrier weigh? I may have to look into that as part of this project. Does it NOT have a provision for the raised brake light?
I really really like the OR FAB swing out tire carrier you now have. That is what I am ultimately shooting for, I think. How much time and e3fort was invloved with installing that?
Dan,
I tried to send you a pm, but your inbox is full. The Olympic steel carrier is a few pounds heavier. But it is also heavier duty. The combination of the MBRP kit and the Olympic carrier should easily hold a 33, and probably a 35. That set-up is considerably cheaper than a new bumper/carrier combo. But I was just not comfortable. So I chose the OR-Fab carrier.
It is not difficult to install, but it requires a lot of time and patience. I am very happy with the tire carrier and have gotten tons of positive comments.
In either case you will have to replace the third brake light. I am using the Delta Lug Nut Lights in the spare.
Below is a photo of the brake lights when I was running the Olympic carrier.