Alternative fixes to carrying the spare tire - Spare tire rack damaged in rear collision

[Artimus]

Got rear-ended 2 weeks ago by some dumb 18-year old who was probably on her cellphone.

Thankfully the '07 KJ is driveable with only cosmetic repair.

I've been to the local junkyards and seen 2 options for tailgates (Mopar tailgate costs 1k+ Shipping) but I have not learned how to replace the tailgate or the costs from a junkyard tailgate. Unfortunately the tailgates at the junkyard are of a different color, but hey at least I could carry the spare on the back like before.

Currently carrying the spare laying flat in the trunk, it takes up more space so I laid down one of the backseats. The damaged tailgate does not allow the spare to be inserted like before.


Requested some ideas for alternatives in carrying the spare tire.


Pics too large to upload on here so here's the link to pics of damage to the tailgate

https://imgur.com/a/3R6bkCn

 

[kejobe]

She rear-ended you, she should have insurance, I'm assuming she's at fault, why won't that pay to have it repaired?

 

[Artimus]

She rear-ended you, she should have insurance, I'm assuming she's at fault, why won't that pay to have it repaired?

She was lying about her identity and on the police report, it did not have any insurance info. I'm guessing she was driving someone else's car as another person claiming to be the owner of the vehicle later arrived but the police asked her to leave. I'm waiting the 7-10 days to get the official police report at the station but in the meantime I've been calling my insurance to get status updates.

I'm also concerned that the insurance might consider it a total loss due to the vehicle's age. My previous KJ was an 04' and was wrecked on the passenger side when a teenager ran a stop sign. This was 4 years ago and their insurance considered it a total loss. It had some other mechanical issues so I decided to let it go back in 2016.

Pics from that '04 KJ accident https://imgur.com/a/mziWM

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[profdlp]

You could add a roof basket and throw it up there. Lots of people here do that even if the spare tire bracket is fine to begin with.

 

[Aceofspades]

Well... you could try to use the spare tire mounting studs to your advantage. Since they are seated in the tailgate skin you could use them to pull the dent out.
You have some leverage just with the mount itself.
Not sure without looking at it in person how bad it is.

 

[kejobe]

She was lying about her identity and on the police report, it did not have any insurance info. I'm guessing she was driving someone else's car as another person claiming to be the owner of the vehicle later arrived but the police asked her to leave. I'm waiting the 7-10 days to get the official police report at the station but in the meantime I've been calling my insurance to get status updates.

I'm also concerned that the insurance might consider it a total loss due to the vehicle's age. My previous KJ was an 04' and was wrecked on the passenger side when a teenager ran a stop sign. This was 4 years ago and their insurance considered it a total loss. It had some other mechanical issues so I decided to let it go back in 2016.

Pics from that '04 KJ accident https://imgur.com/a/mziWM

You must be registered for see images

True. We're waiting on an insurance settlement right now. It's been almost 5 months now.

Well... you could try to use the spare tire mounting studs to your advantage. Since they are seated in the tailgate skin you could use them to pull the dent out.
You have some leverage just with the mount itself.
Not sure without looking at it in person how bad it is.

This is a good idea. Put a strap or chain around it, or mount to the lower studs and the other around a tree and carefully drive forward to pull it out.

 

[Artimus]

This is a good idea. Put a strap or chain around it, or mount to the lower studs and the other around a tree and carefully drive forward to pull it out.

Thanks AceofSpades and Kejobe for that suggestion. I do have to be careful to see if I can pop-out that dent. Wouldn't want to take out the tailgate with it.


Now to look for a good sturdy-looking tree.

 

[Sephiroth]

I had a Taho rear-end me at around 40mph a few years back the tow hitch took most of the impact but the spare did bend down the gate not as bad as in your pictures tho, my fix was to get a gate from the junkyard and re pain it. paid 50 dollars for it and then bedlined the entire jeep.

 

[duderz7]

I like the tree idea, but instead of driving use a heavy ratchet strap, you'll have more control of you efforts.

 

[kejobe]

I like the tree idea, but instead of driving use a heavy ratchet strap, you'll have more control of you efforts.

I like to live on the edge at times...I'd let the motor do the work.

But ratcheting by hand is safer...

 

[turblediesel]

Get a new-er spare tire mount and mount it upside down using washers as spacers until the spare fits ok.