KK Spare Tire Question

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:09 pm

Howdy all,

I own an '02 KJ, but I still had a question/concern with the '08 KK. Anyone else not like the location of the spare tire under the KK as opposed to the spare located on the gate of the KJ? Just seems to me that it would be more of a hassle to have the spare tire under the vehicle, especially if you're out on the trail. Plus, the spare looks better on the gate, IMO.

Just my two cents. Would like to hear what other people think, maybe I'm missing something. :roll:

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

Personally I like it under the vehicle, since I dont do much offroading, it is really out of the way under there. It would be a lot easier if it was on the gate, but I like the clean boxy look of my new KK. Plus if the spare was on the gate, I'd have to buy a 5th 22" wheel!!! :lol:

Sartori · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:07 pm

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

Sartori wrote:

hahaahahahahah thats hilarious

rickm · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:32 pm

JeepPilot wrote:

Howdy all,

I own an '02 KJ, but I still had a question/concern with the '08 KK. Anyone else not like the location of the spare tire under the KK as opposed to the spare located on the gate of the KJ? Just seems to me that it would be more of a hassle to have the spare tire under the vehicle, especially if you're out on the trail. Plus, the spare looks better on the gate, IMO.

Just my two cents. Would like to hear what other people think, maybe I'm missing something. :roll:

I've posted this before, but I'll post it again.

I've owned both an '04 KJ and a '08 KK. I've had and changed flat tires on both of them.

It is my personal opinion that the tire on the KK is a whole bunch easier to deal with than the tire on the rear dor of the KJ.

I recently had 2 flats on my KK, one in the rain and foul weather. I was glad to have the spare where it was located, it was very easy to deal with.

Putting the spare back on the KK is really easy vs. the KJ. On the KJ, you have to hold that big booty tire and rim up there and keep it pushed in place while you try to get a couple of lug nuts started.

The only drawback that I can see to the KK spare tire system would be if you had a bunch of crap loaded in the cargo area. You'd have to unload it to get to the crank for the spare tire.

JeepPilot · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:54 pm

Apparently I was missing somethign after all. Looks like no one really minds the new location of the spare at all. Especially for you FL RENNY, seeing as how you didn't have to situate a 5th 22" spare on a gate.

I must admit, I was really against the KK when I first saw it. I didn't like the new look at all. But now that I see it more, I'm really starting to like it. I'm not looking to buy one, I'm still content w/my own KJ, but I just wanted to see what KK owners thought of the brand new design.

Speaking of design, what do y'all think of the upward-lifting gate?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:38 pm

Sartori wrote:

Gimme Liberty · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:01 am

Sartori wrote:

WINNER!

JeepPilot, everyone has their own opinion about the location. For every person who tells you it's great underneath there is another person to say why it belongs on the back. I'm sure if I had a Wrangler I wouldn't think twice about the wheel being on the back.

My KK is my first Jeep and I have to say I like it off the back. I'm sure it might be a bit of a pain if I get a flat in lousy weather (does anyone EVER get a flat in nice sunny days??) but I don't expect to get a lot of flats, so for the couple of hours I have to deal with it over the life of the vehicle I think I can handle having it in a slightly less convenient place.

rickm · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:04 am

well, for what it's worth, again.

I've had flats on my KJ in good weather, and recently had one on my KK when I came out of the gym at 10 PM in some heavy rain. It was fairly cold, and I didn't have anything on except gym shorts and a T-shirt. I still think it's easier to change on the KK. It wasn't that big of a deal.

And if you don't plan on having any flat tires, I can give you some suggestions. Take off those darn P rated passenger tires and get some LT tires on your KK. Either that, or don't take it off road.

TJinWV · **Joined:** Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:07 pm **Posts:** 8

I remember reading not long ago that was a design decision made to allow for increased rear cargo area without affecting overall length. That's a major selling point for some - we wouldn't be able to fit a KK with a tire on the back in our garage.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:07 pm

as far as cargo room, they made the kk longer in the butt to allow for more back seat and rear floor room, but you loose some of the head room and door opening.

kkMonterey · **Posted:** Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:21 am

Well, I agree with you JeepPilot. I prefered the tire on the swing gate of the KJ, regardless of function. I just traded in my '02 Renegade for an '08 Limited. I LOVE the new Jeep, but I really liked the look of the tire on the back. I also prefer the swing door on the KJ, but that hasn't been much of an issue. Below are some pics of both... I believe some people encountered problems with the hinge of the swing gate caused by excessive load (bike rack attached, etc). One thing I do appreciate is the fact that the release screw/nut is activated from the INSIDE. External locations make for easy spare tire theft...

There's more pics on my website: http://www.hikecali.com/ just click on any of the 3 Jeep links... Enjoy..

Lift this up to access the Spare Tire release

Fold-Flat Seating is GREAT!

Wish you were here!

There's more pics on my website: http://www.hikecali.com/ just click on any of the 3 Jeep links... Enjoy..

nightdrv · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:06 am

Going to throw mine away, and get a full-sized spare, and tie it down to the cargo basket on top. (eventually)

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:33 pm

kkMonterey wrote:

Fold-Flat Seating is GREAT!

I absolutely love my KJ (just passed 80k miles!) but those two pics make me jealous!

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:05 pm

I'm sure somebody will come up with an aftermarket spare tire hanger for the back of the KK (not sure how it would mount though...)

I do like the clean look without the spare on the back, but if you do install a spare holder on the back, the KK would look very tough with a 5th 31" Mud Terrain on the back...

And you'd probably be the only person around with one mounted like that.

nightdrv · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:38 pm

The only way you could do a rear-mounted spare, is if it mounts to a hitch. And it'd have to be a swing-away unit. Remember, the KK rear hatches go up, not sideways.

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Fri Sep 19, 2008 1:17 am

Or a metal bumper with a swing out spare on one side.

zoso7374 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:25 pm

So I had the pleasure of changing my spare for the first time today. And I have to say, anyone who complains about the location of the spare or the ease of changing on a KK, doesn't understand. I changed this tire in 25 minutes flat. That includes getting out of my car, lowering the spare, jacking the jeep up, changing the tire, and putting the flat back in the spot for the spare. It really cannot be any easier. The spare lowers by turning a bolt in the cargo area, and you can lower it enough to simply pull the tire out from under the jeep and stand it up. Then you simply take the cord, put it through the flat, and retighten. It actually was a joy. I have had spares on the back, and I think it was actually harder to deal with. I too like the look, but was never a fan of the rattling that would inevitably develop back there. Also not a fan of lifting a heavy tire and trying to line up the bolts. It also definitely beats my Mitsubishi Eclipse in which I had to pull out everything in my trunk, including my subwoofer and stuff them in my back seat so I could access the spare.

And in foul weather, I don't even think you will get your clothes wet lowering this tire. I would rather do that than bear hug a spare on my tailgate in dress clothes like I was today. KK passed the spare tire test with flying colors today.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:40 pm

If you mall crawl having the spare underneath is no big deal,as long as you wash the undercarriage often.If you offroad under the vehcile is the last place you want a spare,you will damage it very easily and in most cases you be impossible to get out when you blow a tire on the trail.

I have never had any issue with my 90lbs tire on the back,when on the swing gate itself it started to sag the hinges but now with RL's rear bumber and carriers no sagging anymore,easy to get to and super easy to get off and put back on.

Again.................

Mall crawler--it's okay to have the spare underneath.
Rock crawling--will destroy the spare underneath,need it mounted anywhere but underneath the vehicle.

Pierocksmysocks · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:48 pm

I vote for on top! That way it's accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and practical. Plus it gives me a reason to buy a nice rack.

KK Spare Tire Question

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