A Few Random Questions

Yep. In my experience a side mounted spare will get nailed sooner or later even if you don't run trails. I had a drunk in a parked car open his driver's door just in time to catch my spare on my then new CJ5. I will say the mounting survived better than the guy's door.

A rear mount of some kind is usually the best solution. I would never mount it in front of the grill, on the hood, or on the top-at least if trail time is anticipated. All those locations are detrimental in some way. And having one in the bed would be a PITA in an already REALLY space deficient vehicle. As Tim suggests there should be all sorts of threads on this topic.

 

I just don't carry one. I carry a plug kit and viair compressor. If it's so bad I can't plug it I can limp it on the flat and if I destroy it and damage the wheel I'll replace them. And if you clump enough rope plugs together you can plug some pretty serious punctures/tears. I've emergency repaired more than one sidewall tear using 4 or 5 rope plugs and limped it home at reduced speed.

If I can get to pavement I can call up Hagerty Roadside Assistance and get a ride into town if it's so bad I can't repair it or limp it. Haven't had to do that yet.

 

Honestly, I like the Hood Mounted spare. But I also spent a few years working as a Land Rover mechanic, and they're designed for it (i.e. The hood is reinforced to do it). I've honestly thought of modifying my extra hood to carry the spare, as I never fold down the windshield, and don't really plan on it.

 

+1

OBA (even if just a hand pump) and a plug kit is less weight, cost, hassle, vision obstruction, etc..., than a spare that you *might* need in 10 years of driving. Tires have become much more reliable over the years, as has roadside assistance for major emergencies.

I’m only planning to run a spare on mine during major backwoods trips where I’d be up creek if there was a major tire failure that was beyond repair.

 

i didn't really think it was a good idea, as there's limited windshield space (view obstruction). why don't you fold down the windshield?

 

Why would I? I have no desire to get smacked in the face with bugs, road dust, rocks, or anything else. I can go ride a motorcycle or 4 wheeler, if that's the experience I want. I'd have to go find an old Series rover to measure, but I don't think the windshield on them is appreciably bigger than a CJ.

 

I've never owned a spare for mine. Only was an inconvenience once during one of the cross country trips. We are in an age where every Walmart can fix a tire even on a Sunday so you don't have to limp far.

Maybe an extra inner tube with a plug and patch kit.
8plys with innertubes on a lightweight vehicle will take a lot of abuse.

 

next up: is there supposed to be a latch or sumthin to hold the passenger seat down?

 

The view obstruction isn't in any way a small detail when you are in the rocks. Most especially so if you are solo and don't have a spotter. You basically have to memorize the terrain between your minimum sight distance and the wheels. The longer that interval is, the more you have to remember and the larger the probability of error.

I think you should get an inner tube about the same size as you spare and just bungee cord it in the various locations to see what you like. That obviously will not do anything for a roof location as that is a separate center of gravity problem. A steel hardtop already compromises COG more than a little bit.

 

Yes, a Passenger, or my Dog Peggy. I try to keep the wheels on the ground that way the seat stays in place. Good Luck.

 

where should i put the jerry can?

 

Do you need a jerry can? How about you fill it up before you go?

If you really need more gas, I'd suggest adding the rear-mounted tank rather than carrying cans.

 

Absolutely!!! Jerry cans are sort of a pain in the posterior and really unsafe in any rear collision. Another topic that should yield more than a few hits with a search.

 

sorry, i just don't find the search function very user friendly.

 

Noob. The forum search function is useless for something like this. Use Google or Bing or whichever search engine you like.

site:earlycj5.com rear mounted gas tank - Bing

 

Noob

 

Yes, written with a smile.

 

In your garage unless you really think you're going somewhere you need it. You'll find that you'll lug around that extra 40lbs of weight for nothing, you'll be lucky if the gas is still good when you finally find a situation you might need it for.

The gas dispensing infrastructure is so robust in the US it's going to be a rare time indeed you'd ever need it.

There's a lot of things that folks think they need on their off road vehicles. I think what it really is, is that all this stuff looks "cool" hanging off the Jeep. You can save yourself a load of weight and headache leaving many of the cool things behind. Jerry cans and high lift jacks being just two examples.

 

feel victorious. i got the sparton switch working properly. now to get it running and registered.

 

I'll argue a fuel can would be a good idea until you know the jeep and how the guage works. I'll carry a 2gal can in the bed for a mile drive to work along with a gal of gear oil and 5qts of engine oil and 3gal of water. Some of it lives under the passenger seat but the gas can gets chained to the tailgate.

We are good about spending other people's money round here. Yes ideally rear tank but if the under seat tank is good fight other battles first. Stop and steer.