This is just an update from the previous post that I had going a couple of weeks ago. I got my new BFG Muds installed on 8/31/07 and they look AWESOME! The spare tire did fit under the third brake light, but there is only about 1/8 inch of room to spare. You will definitely not get a bigger tire under there unless you do some modifications. I also had to shave off the rounded part of the rubber tire stop that is mounted under the tail gate because the gate would not shut properly due to the bigger tire hitting it prior to the gate closing properly. Five minutes with a Ginsu knife and all is good now! LOL
I was concerned about the additional size and weight of the new tire compared to my stock tire, but I spoke to the service dept. from the dealership I purchased the Wrangler at and this is what they told me:
My stock tires were the Goodyear Wrangler RT/S (215/75/15) and weigh
25 pounds each. The Rubicon's tires are just a hair smaller than my BFG Muds (30.5/9.5/16), and they are mounted on the tail gate without any known problems. I was informed that the tail gates on the newer TJ's have been reinforced to hold the weight of the larger Rubicon tires. I have discovered that the STOCK Rubicon tires are the Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs and they are 30.5/9.5/16 and weigh 49 pounds each. My BFG Muds are 31/10.5/15 and weigh 43 pounds each. So in all reality, the stock Rubicon's tires weigh 6 pounds MORE than my BFG Muds. In the future, I will probably get a rear bumper/oversize tire carrier combo to carry the 31 inch tire. I doubt I will have any problems with the tire mounted like it is because I don't do any off- roading to speak of that would bounce the hell out of the spare tire. I just don't feel comfortable leaving the tire mounted there indefinitely.