JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

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Renodemona
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JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by Renodemona »

Greetings all!!!
My Cherokee has a dealer (maybe?) installed tire swingout on the back. I think JC Whitney made them. Re-reading some old posts, I noticed that some did not recommend putting tires over 30" on them with a Jerry can as the weight might crack the mounts. Has this happened to anyone? Should I build/buy a big steel bumper with a swingout instead to carry my exra go-juice and fresh air holder?
"Wait, what's on fire!?" KJ7TCT
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1976 Cherokee w/t 'Susan' 401/TH400/QT(PT)
FiTech Go EFI, Edelbrock Performer intake
3" Rough Country Springs, HEI Dizzy
-------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Cherokee Trailhawk V6 'Sedna'
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ghcoe
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Re: JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by ghcoe »

I have a 31x10.5 on mine. I also carried a 33x11.5 before. The mount did crack the body some where it mounted, but that was not because of the tire. It is because I forgot to lock the mount and it swung open and hyper extended hinge with the weight of the tire. I then put a larger backing plate inside and a thin plate of steel on the outside, to hide the crack, and it has been fine since.
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1977 Jeep Cherokee WT
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Tatsadasayago
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Re: JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by Tatsadasayago »

After repairing the body carnage on my rig I'll never run another body mounted carrier!
It's either going to be an interior unit made by one of our members, a bumper and mount or an on-roof rack here.
33x12.50s weigh too much to do otherwise. A 31 10.50 really isn't that much heavier than a 29 so if any damage is likely already done with your setup.
The wheel is a consideration in overall weight as well.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
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Renodemona
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Re: JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by Renodemona »

Would taking the body mounted swingout off be a problem? Is there usually damage that doesn't show until you unbolt the mounting plate?
"Wait, what's on fire!?" KJ7TCT
--------------------------------------------------------------
1976 Cherokee w/t 'Susan' 401/TH400/QT(PT)
FiTech Go EFI, Edelbrock Performer intake
3" Rough Country Springs, HEI Dizzy
-------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Cherokee Trailhawk V6 'Sedna'
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ghcoe
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Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:39 am
Location: SW Idaho

Re: JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by ghcoe »

If it is the same as mine, no. Just two holes through the body and a reinforcement plate on the interior.

I think that the body mounted carrier helps with maintaining the integrity of the body stiffness at the tail gate. I have seen Wagoneers that you could push the body over 1-3 inches with the tail gate down. It seems that Jeep improved on the body in this area on the later models. Having a tire carrier keeps you from driving with the tail gate down, which compounds the problem. If it is a body mounted carrier it helps keep the sides flexing even more than just the tail gate.
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1977 Jeep Cherokee WT
All-Terrain T/A® KO2
Safari Kit
Factory Brush Guard
Factory Tire Carrier
Custom Roof Rack
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fulsizjeep
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Re: JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by fulsizjeep »

That tire carrier was made by Valley and was installed at the factory or dealer and also available at the dealer parts counter. A 31 is quite a bit heavier and has more leverage against the carrier when the ride gets rough.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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Renodemona
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Location: Sparks, NV

Re: JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by Renodemona »

So since Ive got a nice set of 32's to go on, I should probably think about another mounting solution since they are just that much heavier than even a 31?
"Wait, what's on fire!?" KJ7TCT
--------------------------------------------------------------
1976 Cherokee w/t 'Susan' 401/TH400/QT(PT)
FiTech Go EFI, Edelbrock Performer intake
3" Rough Country Springs, HEI Dizzy
-------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Cherokee Trailhawk V6 'Sedna'
User avatar

fulsizjeep
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Re: JC Whitney swing-out tire carriers

Post by fulsizjeep »

That would be my recommendation.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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