Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler YJ radiators

Will this spare tire set up destroy my tailgate/tub?

TRevs

TRevs

YJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2022
Messages
262
Location
San Antonio, TX
I need to do something about my tailgate/spare tire set up. I can’t seem to keep the hinges in proper adjustment with the striker, and looks like the sheet metal of the tub is starting to buckle between the hinges.

The tire is an old 30x9.5 on an OEM Canyon TJ rim (25.8mm offset). Weighs 56lbs.

The tailgate had been damaged before I got the jeep, and the wheel is so close to the gate there are no snubbers.

I thought I would get a dirtworx tire carrier bumper, until I realized it wouldn’t work with my third brake light. I don’t want to spend another $100 or more on a replacement for that.

So now my thought is:
-new aftermarket tailgate + paint
-proper snubbers
-re-use the Kentrol replacement hinges I installed last year

It’s only a 30” tire; is this likely to last?
 
As long as you have the snubbers setup properly it will last. It's the lack of snubbers that will destroy your tailgate, regardless of tire size (though the bigger the tire the faster it will be destroyed).
 
Definitely need snubbers. I believe the ones you need are like 1.6". You would need whatever the TJ with the 30" package came with. some of the YJs have a super thin snubber, like 1" or maybe 1.2". You don't want those.

Although you say your spare is super close to the tailgate as is...any idea why? Is that because of the damage? I've checked mine previously by mounting a 15x8 OEM wheel to the spare carrier and the 1.6" snubbers are just about right.

My struggle is I have the same tire size but on 15x7 wheels and those snubbers are too tight. I guess because of the narrower wheel pinching the tire to bulge more. The 1.2" snubbers are not enough, they butt up against the tire but not super securely. Probably going to get a set of clean Canyons eventually and run the thicker snubbers.

If your tub is already giving out though, I'm not sure snubbers are going to prevent that from getting worse.
 
machoheadgames said:
Definitely need snubbers. I believe the ones you need are like 1.6". You would need whatever the TJ with the 30" package came with. some of the YJs have a super thin snubber, like 1" or maybe 1.2". You don't want those.

Although you say your spare is super close to the tailgate as is...any idea why? Is that because of the damage? I've checked mine previously by mounting a 15x8 OEM wheel to the spare carrier and the 1.6" snubbers are just about right.

My struggle is I have the same tire size but on 15x7 wheels and those snubbers are too tight. I guess because of the narrower wheel pinching the tire to bulge more. The 1.2" snubbers are not enough, they butt up against the tire but not super securely. Probably going to get a set of clean Canyons eventually and run the thicker snubbers.

If your tub is already giving out though, I'm not sure snubbers are going to prevent that from getting worse.
Click to expand...

I assumed the tire was super close to the gate because of the damage (it looks like the jeep was backed into something) and maybe the backspacing of the canyon wheel is more than the original wheel…? I don’t know anything about YJ rims and what would have come stock on an early ‘95 Sahara.

My father in law has been using it for a few weeks while his truck is being repaired, but I’ll add photos later when I get it back. There’s a small faint crease in the tub just below the upper hinge. Definitely don’t want that getting worse.

I wondered if there was any way to reinforce that area from behind, or if the morryde A bracket for the TJ could be adapted.

I’d do a tire carrier bumper if I had to, but it seems like a pain to have two gates to open plus the cost and hassle of wiring a replacement third brake light. Seems like a big hassle just to have a 30” tire.
 
The TJ and YJ tire carriers are the same depth, and they came with the same families of wheel specs aside from the TJ Rubicon:

15x6 - 205/75R15
5.25” BS

15x7 - 215/75R15, 225/75R15
5.25” BS

15x8 - 29x9.5R15 (YJ), 30x9.5R15 (TJ)

16x8 - 245/75R16 (TJR)

This pretty much confirms that whatever works on a TJ will work on your YJ.

The factory snubber part numbers:

1.22” - 55008263 - compact spare (205/75)
1.62” - 55013350 - conventional spare (any 15x7 or 15x8)
1.85” - 55345519 - aluminum wheel (misprint - should be for TJ Rubi 16x8)

I think if you can get your tub and gate fixed up and then use the 1.62”, you ought to be good to go.

When I finally swap to 15x8 wheels to may h my 30’s, I’m probably going to add a snubber to the tub below the tailgate like the 97-02 TJs had as a 5th snubber. Can’t hurt to help stabilize the tailgate to the body. That plus late ‘95 YJ hinges would probably make things pretty solid.
 
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