How to Install Rugged Ridge Spartacus HD Tire Carrier Kit (97-06 Wrangler TJ) on your Jeep Wrangler

1. Remove spare tire.

CAUTION: Have another person help lift tire off of carrier.

2. Cut third brake light wires and wire loom, near the base of third brake light housing. 

NOTICE: Skip to step 4 if using stock spare tire carrier. 

3. Remove third brake light housing from OE spare tire carrier. 

4. Using 1/2” socket, remove OE spare tire carrier. Using T30 Torx bit, remove Rubber Bumper.

5. Remove stock tailgate hinge plastic covers. Remove stock tailgate hinges. 

NOTICE: Keep tailgate closed from this step until Step 10. 

6. Attach HD Hinge Casting to corner panel using supplied 5/16” hardware.

7. Attach HD Hinge Casting to tailgate, using supplied 5/16” hardware. Feed third brake light wires through back side of HD Hinge Casting. 

NOTICE: Be careful not to pinch third brake light wires. 

8.  Using Rugged Ridge HD Wheel Mount (part #11546.62): Using supplied 5/16” hardware and spacers, attach Wheel Mount to tailgate. Tighten all bolts. 

Using stock spare tire carrier: Reusing stock hardware and supplied spacers, attach stock spare tire carrier to tailgate. Tighten all bolts. 

9. Using wire cutters/crimpers, splice in additional wire length to third brake light wiring. 

NOTICE: ​For driving in wet or winter areas, protect connection with di-electric grease and weather resistant shrink tubing.

10. Check fitment of tailgate by opening and closing tailgate. Make any adjustments as needed.  Tighten two 5/16” bolts covered by HD Hinge Casting. 

11. Press brake pedal to check brake light functionality. 

12. Re-install spare tire and torque lug nuts to 80ft•lb. 

CAUTION: Have another person help lift the tire onto tire carrier. 

WARNING: Failure to tighten lug nuts to proper torque specification could result in serious injury or property damage.