Photo Dan Sanchez
OR-Fab Spare Tire Carrier
During the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab Utah, we came across a new spare tire carrier design from OR-Fab that caught our interest, and the interest of many of the Jeep Wrangler owners in attendance...By Dan Sanchez
Experienced Jeep owners, who frequently take on serious off-road trails, are well aware that carrying a full-size spare provides a fast and simple solution for a puncture or flat. But the fact is that trends towards larger diameter tires and the need to carry other accessories such as water, fuel, a Hi-Lifit Jack and more is turning the lightweight trail Jeep into a heavy expedition vehicle.
Most aftermarket spare tire carriers have been updated to carry all this “stuff”, using thicker steel frames, and larger swing-away doors that are integrated into wider and thicker bumpers with a huge hinge pin on it. But many Jeep owners, especially JK Wrangler owners, want to travel lighter. They’ve grown tired of the big, bulky, noisy spare tire carriers that also create an annoying vibration on the trail and highway. The irony however, is that they still want their vehicles to carry a full-size spare and accessories.
During the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab Utah, we came across a new spare tire carrier design from OR-Fab that caught our interest, and the interest of many of the Jeep Wrangler owners in attendance. The company utilized a lightweight tube-style design that is manufactured from strong, 1.5-inch diameter, .120-wall steel tubing. The carrier also has a swing-way door and can hold a 37-inch full-spare tire and features a spin-mount that will work with stock or any aftermarket wheel.
The unit was also designed to hold the spare tire 5.5-inches higher, compared to a factory spare tire carrier, giving the Jeep a greater departure angle. The OR-Fab spare tire carrier also had the ability to carry two, three-gallon Rotopax™ containers that allow the entire carrier to also sit closer to the Jeep’s tailgate. OR-Fab also added a Hi-Lift jack and CB antenna mount all on the swing-way door.
The ability of this design to work, comes from the fact that the swing-way door is not attached to the Jeep’s bumper. According to Chris Faustmann, in charge of OR-Fab’s research and development, the key to the spare tire carrier’s load capabilities and vibration-free operation, is the use of inner fender braces.
The braces connect the Jeep’s tailgate hinge and frame to create a stronger mounting point for the swing-away door and strike plate. This also reduces weight and because it uses the factory hinges as an anchor point, it allows the carrier to be used with any factory or aftermarket bumper. Coupled with a 500-lbs.draw, adjustable and lockable latch, Faustmann says that the tire carrier is free of any vibrations, noises, exactly what Jeep Wranglers owners told them they wanted.
But integrating a new frame brace and drilling into the Jeep’s inner fender seemed like a difficult installation. So OR-Fab demonstrated how the tire carrier is installed, using their 2007 Wrangler Unlimited. To begin, you’ll need a one-inch hole-saw and standard tools. It’s also recommended to use an angle-drill to reach into the tight areas inside the Jeep’s fenders.
With a wood block supporting the Jeep’s tailgate, the factory spare tire mount, hinges and taillights are removed. The taillight holes allow you to reach into the inner fenders to mark and drill holes for the landing block brace and hinge brace upper support bracket. Both run along the inside of the passenger and driver’s side fenders to add rigidity for the tire carrier rack, and tie the system together. This seems difficult, but reaching into the taillight housing from the top and from under the vehicle, the drilling and bolting of the brackets is not really that hard. Just make sure you have plenty of light to see what you’re doing.
With the braces installed, the factory hinges must be slightly modified. The instructions show you how to make a notch into each hinge to clear a box-wrench, and to accommodate the larger 8mm bolt and washers included in the kit. The factory tailgate hinges then bolt on top of OR-Fab’s steel hinge bracket, along with some spacers. This adds support to the fender and is the mounting point for the tire carrier rack hinges.
On the passenger side, a new strike plate is attached with a larger 1/2-inch bolt. The factory hole will be enlarged and a spacer is attached for proper placement and offset for the new landing block. The tire carrier rack is then attached to the hinge plate using the heavy duty brass washers and one-inch spacers. The OR-Fab hinge plate has a cut-out that allows you to easily insert a 13mm box-wrench to make any fitment adjustments as necessary.
The adjustable draw latch is tightened to ensure the tire carrier rack stays secure and once it’s closed and latched, the entire unit is incredibly solid. On this Jeep, they installed a 37-inch tire mounted on a Poison Spider aluminum wheel. The spin mount with lock, makes it easy to install and remove the spare while keeping it secure.
This system, PN 85209 came with a Rotopax™ Spin-mount and two Rotopax™ containers. The mount and containers easily bolt to the inside of the tire carrier rack as the mount holes are pre-drilled into the tire carrier rack.
Once installed, the tire carrier looked and operated flawlessly, even with the heavy spare, full containers and a Hi-Lift jack installed. The tire carrier has a maximum load capacity of 175 lbs., which is great to keep your Jeep light on the trail but still carry all your essentials for emergencies.
Check it out at www.orfab.com
View the full install and photos in Volume 14 Issue 1