need help

[john roach]

i recently purchased a hard top for my 95 yj, i have 34's on it and now that the top is on i cannot open the rear lift gate because the tire is in the way, im considering making a swing away tire carrier but i cant find the latch mechanism for sale anywhere, anybody know where they can be purchased?

[RecycledTeen]

Is the tire mounted on the rear gate? Can't you swing the gate open as you lift the window? That's what I did on mine until I changed the rear bumper to a tire swing. To me that was insurance to keep someone from breaking in through the rear by just opening the window. I locked the bottom tailgate and that kept the window from opening.

As far as the latch mech, I used a 5/8" bolt with a tee welded to the head and a nut welded to an angle to the bumper with a rubber plate between. I slid a washer over the bolt on the inside of the sq tubing and tacked it in the proper place to keep the bolt from falling out. Using a large bolt with coarse threads make it fairly quick to open and close.

[john roach]

currently the tire is on the stock tire carrier on the tail gate, but im wanting to make a swing away tire carrier for it because im too cheap to buy one, i think i found the latch at mcmaster carr p/n 5071a62

[Paul E]

Check A to Z Fabrication's website. They sell latches AND the spindles for a rear bumper tire carrier.

[john roach]

thanks, that was what i was looking for, now i just need to make a spindle, maybe i will get time this week at work and try to turn one out on the lathe

[Paul E]

They have the spindles too... and I THINK they were having a sale on those parts.

[john roach]

went to the site and got some inspiration, started on a rear bumper and swing away tire carrier, still have to drill the holes in the bumper to mount it, got the spindle made and the main frame of the tire carrier, hopefully i will get more time tomorrow to work on it

[vlemasters]

Good deal on the spindle John. I made mine from a cut down trailer spindle (cheap) and made a spring loaded latch but would have to look at it to refresh my memory on exactly how I made it. Roughly followed on line plans from someplace though I think.

[john roach]

been working on it when time allows, got the mounting brackets done, now i have to get them lined up and welded, then i can start working on the tire mount, the only problem i can forsee is the weight, its going to be heavy

[john roach]

i made my spindle out of a 1in solid shaft, inserted it thru the bumper and welded the bottom, i had to cut a relief on the top for a snap ring

[jwicker]

Probably too late to help you, but before I sold my Jeep, I purchased a latch and spindle to make my own swing away tire carrier.

No more Jeep = no need to for these parts.

The Latch is something like this:
http://www.destaco.com/img/prod/331.jpg
(I'll check the manufacturer and model and update)

The spindle is this one:
http://www.rockstomper.com/catalog/pieces/hinge.htm

Make an offer if interested.
You pay shipping from 47715.


Thanks
Jon