Earlier I reviewed and installed Tomken Machines rear bumper on Project X. Shortly after that I received Tomken's rear tire carrier for that bumper. This would facilitate removing that tire from the inside. I held back on writing this review until I felt I had tested this component throughly. One of the largest complaints of rear tire carriers is that they tend to rattle and get out of alignment, especially over time. So I wanted to see how this carrier would hold up.

My first impressions are "Exceptional." I am absolutly thrilled with the looks and stability of this tire carrier. I had read on numerous occasions that the Tomken Tire carrier tended to rattle and end up out of alignment. However I had none of these problems, but suspect why others were having these problems (more on this later).

After receiving the carrier I inspected all the parts and throughly read the directions. I also called Tomken and questioned the positioning of the brackets on the bumper because I was not clear from the directions exactly where to position it. It was at this time that I learned the MOST important step to the whole installation, Alignment. Tomken told me it was imperative that I take my time when aligning the brackets and swingout assembly. The warned that if proper care was not taken to align the brackets with each other and the swing out arm that when swinging the carrier shut, it might not align properly.

Next I had to remove the rear bumper (agghh... note: I recommend installing the bumper and tire carrier at the same time. It will save the knuckles) which can be a tedious task considering the tight proximity of the bolts. Once removed I carefully inspected how the brackets fit and considered how to properly align them. Look closely at the pictures of the "Latch Bracket" and the "Pivot Bracket." Hold the bumper in a position that it would be on the Jeep. Then place the bracket in place and position it so that it lies flush with the top edge of the bumper.

The best way to do this is to assemble both brackets and the arm as if they were already installed and latched shut (see figure 2). Use this method to completely align everything. I also put some of the large washers included with the kit in the position shown in Figure 1. These washers insured that the swing arm would align when closing and help to prevent any sagging caused by misalignment. Once I was satisified I marked and centerpunched the holes, then drilled. I loosly installed the bolts and double checked alignment. You have a "little" bit of play once the holes are drilled to correct for any minor miscalculations. I then removed the brackets and coated the bottom side of them with black silicone. Tomken does not metion this in there instructions, but I felt that it would be a corrosion protectant for the future. I then stuck the brackets to the bumper then installed the bolts and tightened them down. I cleanly wiped away any of the silicone that squeezed out to a nice bead along the edge. Once both brackets were installed I reinstalled the bumper on the Jeep.

Installing the upright for the tire was fairly straightforward. Slide it down, two bolts and it's done. Installing the tire however was not so easy. It seems that the design of the carrier is to use one lug hole on the wheel, and then the center with a metal bracket and a bolt. If I were to have used steel wheels this may not have been a problem. But with the wheels that a scalvaged from a TJ I felt the metal would scar the aluminum rim, and did not want to use the center mount. However there seems to be endless possiblities as to how to attach a second bolt, and I did find that it gave me the freedom to swing the tire about 10 degrees to the left or right and align the tire where I wanted it. Tomken seemed more than willing to work with me when I posed the problem to them. They offered several solutions and said that it was hard to accomodate for every wheel on the market in their kit.

Next was to install the license plate remount kit. At the time I received the tire carrier Tomken was just finishing the license plate kit for the 1997 and up models, so sent me an older model one until the new ones were finished. The wiring is very straight foreward for the light. Two wires, one ground and one hot. The hot wire connects to the hot lead from the old light and runs to the new light. The ground connects to the ground of the old light and runs to one of the bracket bolts to ground the bracket.

So then I swung the carrier shut and realized what that little bolt with the rubber bumper was for. It was an adjuster! In the dead center of the swing arm, facing the bumper is a bolt threaded into the swing arm. It has a locknut and a rubber bumper on it's head. Use this adjuster to adjust pressure on the arm while positioning the pin to latch the swing arm in place. Once this is adjusted this carrier is DAMN strong. In the six months now this carrier has been on my jeep, it is as strong as ever. No sag and not even a hint of a rattle. I suspect the reason some have problems with carriers of this type is poor installation. I will admit, it's not a bolt-n-go application. Time needs to be spent aligning the brackets or I can easily see where the swing arm would sag and not line up properly while closing it. I started out with the stock tire, then installed a matching 31x10.5x15 tire for the spare.

There will be some visibility lost in the rear view with the tire installed. I have had no problems with it in place. I feel it blocks just as much as it did while stuffed back in the corner. It is not as easy to get in and out of the back hatch as it used to be. Pulling a R-clip, then the pin and swinging the tire out, takes some of the fun out of just lifting the gate.