We installed a LOD rear bumper with a spare-tire swing-out on a Jeep Wrangler TJ — moving the heavy spare off the tailgate and onto a solid steel carrier, adding rear protection and recovery points, and giving the classic TJ a tougher, trail-ready back end.
This TJ came through Juggernaut USA in Wheat Ridge (Denver), CO for a rear bumper upgrade. The TJ is a beloved platform, but its factory rear end offers no protection and its tailgate was never meant to carry a big off-road spare. A LOD rear bumper with a swing-out carrier fixes both — real steel protection and a proper home for the spare that swings clear of the tailgate for easy access.
| Detail | Spec |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Jeep Wrangler TJ |
| Bumper | LOD rear bumper |
| Spare | Tire swing-out carrier |
| Adds | Rear protection + recovery points, tailgate relief |
Why a swing-out tire carrier
A bigger off-road tire is heavy, and the factory tailgate hinges were not designed to carry it — over time it sags the door and cracks the mounts. The LOD bumper's swing-out carrier takes that weight on a bearing-mounted steel arm bolted to the frame, and swings the spare out of the way so you can open the tailgate without wrestling it. It is the right way to carry a heavy spare on a TJ.
Protection and recovery at the back
Beyond carrying the spare, the LOD bumper wraps the rear corners in steel and adds recovery points where the factory bumper offered none. On the trail that means the back of the Jeep can take a hit or a hook without damage — the same job our skid plates do underneath, done at the bumper.
Common questions on this build
Will a heavy spare hurt my factory tailgate?
Yes, over time. A large off-road tire overloads the factory hinges, causing sag and cracks. A swing-out carrier bolted to the frame carries that weight properly and protects the tailgate.
Does a rear bumper add recovery points?
A good one does. This LOD bumper adds solid rear recovery points where the factory bumper had none — useful any time the Jeep needs to be pulled out or pull someone else.
Can you install a bumper on my Jeep?
Yes — TJ, JK, JL, and Gladiator. Bring us the bumper and we will mount, align, and set up the swing-out so it works right.
Book the same work
We build Jeeps in-house at our Wheat Ridge shop north of Denver — bumpers, armor, lifts, and recovery gear. We serve Denver, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Arvada, Lakewood, and the Front Range. Call (970) 341-4221 to talk through your build, or see our install services. More from the bay: our JK 3.5-inch build and JLU Rubicon 37s build.
