Reviews for Smittybilt Gen2 Bolt On Tire Carrier for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK

My bumper and tire carrier install was an easy install, I'm a firm believer on doing your home work before taking on a project. Yes the instructions are vague in some areas and there is not a lot of info out there but it can be done. #1 the back up lights, the poorly designed plastic clips the hold the lights to the supplied bracket, they wont stay in place. Put the clip on the post, wrap it with a zip tie and make it tight, next apply some RTV to help everything stay in place. #2 The last bolt on the bracket the holds the tire carrier, the one that goes in the hole that you have to drill out. First you need a bolt about 2 1/2 in. in length, grind a taper on the threaded end this will assist in the aliment when you fish the supplied plate and nut in the end of the frame. #3 Do not tighten the bolts on the the plate that mounts to the tailgate until you mount the tire carrier, it needs to be aligned with the tire carrier support bracket ( the C shaped plastic piece). When all is lined up, tighten everything up ,then tighten the turnbuckle till there is no rattling. #4 I read some comments about the installation of the three wheel bolts, needed to be pressed in, well that was not my case, a mater of fact the holes were so loose I had to weld them into place. Every job has work around 's that need to be overcome. Total install time including removing the original bumper about 16 Hrs.

I have had this installed going on 8 months now. Not sure why others are having issues. Installation was smooth but you really need some mechanical aptitude to think some things thru. I did get some rattles from the tun buckle after about 7 months. However, its metal on metal and the turn buckle pivots(balls) need to be lubed. I used a dry spay lube and rattles are gone.

the design is very good and looks great, the install instructions are not the greatest.

Looks Great, love the bottle cap opener. The only drawback was lack of installation instructions. Took triple time installing to figure out. Hope it does'nt fall off someday!

I love it. Had to open up the 3rd brake light bracket a little but it wasn't a problem at all. The stock spare on my 2014 won't fit with mounting bracket all the way out. I had to order a spare tire spacer. It opens and closes smoothly and effortlessly and doesn't look like it will rattle but I won't know until I get the spacer and hang my spare on it. The instructions are typical, it refers to the bolts as a different size on some items. I am completely satisfied with my choice to go with the Smittybilt SRC Gen 2 bumpers!

This was a painful installation process with a mechanic doing the work. The pivot post on tirer rack has to be hammered into place. Have fun mounting the tire rack bracket to frame and bumper. I'm sure this can be designed better. Once installed have to drive to get pivot post to settle into place. Then retighten to get the rattels out. Over all and even after frustrations with install, love the look and feel it gives my JK. 5 stars if better install design.

This took longer to install than the front and rear bumper combined. The instructions for this are terrible. Once you finally figure out what the instructions are talking about and you get it installed, it rattles like crazy. Makes a simple drive very unpleasant.

I had more issues getting this thing to line up and work properly than I could have imagined. I have installed quite a few bumpers and this was the worst. The hardware is junk, lots of things don't line up and even though it would be so simple, they don't give you any chart for which holes to use for certain size tires so you end up playing guessing game putting your spare on then off and re bolting everything. It's not the end of the world I just expected more. I did finally get the bumper adjusted good enough but had to add electric tape to several bolts so that they wouldn't rattle in the sleeves driving me crazy. It works and at least it looks nice but I would never go this route again. Way too much modifying the product to work the way it should. Should have bought the TeraFlex Hinge Carrier in hindsight.

Putting this bumper & tire carrier was way harder than expected Instructions are TERRIBLE. Lug bolts are too short to hold spare & having a very hard time finding longer ones. Brake light wires are not long enough to reach the brake light assembly .

I do not recommend this tire carrier, it squeeks, rattles and makes so much noise that it is not acceptable. I have mine adjusted as tight as the design allows and it is ok on the highway but horrible off road. I recently removed it and went with the Teraflex HD hinge mount. Wish I could get my money back this is a 500$ mistake.