|
ROOF TOP TIRE CARRIER
The parts that I used for this project can vary on what you can
get your hands on. I was given a 1" X 30" box steel along with a " piece of threaded rod. So that is what I based my carrier
on. I then went to Home Depot ( hardware store ) and got 3 nuts, 3 washers to fit the threaded rod and a can of black spray
paint. Also I went to Jeep and got a cup. That is what the parts guy called it. It's the half round piece that goes in the
middle of the tire that the J-bolt goes threw when the tire is mounted in the rear of the XJ. I replaced the crossbars on
the roof rack with a set form THULE. They are flat and do not flex like the factory bars did. They are mounted to the roof
rack. I could have gotten gutter mounts which are stronger but I am not dealing with allot of weight and I think it looks
cleaner this way. You can get a root top tire carrier from mopar but that is all it does. Besides the cost factor. Ok here
it goes. I drilled a hole threw the middle of the box steel big enough to accept the threaded rod. I then put a nut at the
end of the rod, then a washer and slipped it threw the hole in the box steel. I then put another washer and another nut and
tightened it all together. I then drilled the hole in the cup bigger so it would fit the threaded rod. Place the tire on the
THULE bars and the box steel goes from front to back under the THULE bars. Put the threaded road up threw the middle of the
tire and the cup goes on the rod. Put on a washer and the last nut and tighten. A wing nut would work but I could not find
one in the size I needed. As you tighten the nut it pulls the box steel up which then stops as it reaches the crossbars. This
then pulls the tire down, which is on top of the cross, bars. The crossbars are now sandwiched between the pieces and with
enough pressure to hole the tire in place. I have over 10,000 miles now with this on there in heavy winds and rain, off roading
and it has not moved, and inch. Works great. I have about $10 invested in the bracket not including the THULE bars. However,
I can take it off and use the bars to carry other things also.
|
