The Scrambler/Overlander Project:
Spare Tire Carrier

The Alaskan Postal top was originally supplied with a spare tire carrier attached to the hinge pins of the rear door. Somewhere over the years someone had cut mine off, so I had to fabricate a new one.

I designed a frame to carry a TJ spare tire carrier. Using 1x2 and 1x1 steel tubing, the design is shown below. I removed the wheel studs from a stock TJ tire carrier and drilled new holes to suit the CJ's larger bolt circle. TJ tire bumpers were also attached to the frame to stabilize the tire. I drilled and tapped the doro hinges to accept bolts, and I drilled two holes in the door panel to attach the right side of the frame to the door. I also found it necessary to install some bracing inside the door where the right side bolted through as the sheet metal flexed quite a bit when the door was closed and on rough roads.