Carrying a large spare tire on a Jeep YJ, TJ, or LJ puts additional weight and leverage on the rear of the body. As tire size increases, the factory tailgate mounting arrangement becomes a concern, especially when the Jeep is regularly driven over rough terrain. The Motobilt MB1227 Body Mounted Tire Carrier provides a stronger mounting system for carrying oversized spare tires while retaining the convenience of opening the carrier with the factory tailgate.
Designed for 1986–1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ, 1997–2006 Wrangler TJ, and 2004–2006 Wrangler LJ models, the MB1227 bolts directly to the Jeep body without drilling or welding. The carrier opens together with the factory tailgate, allowing access to the rear cargo area without operating a separate swing-out carrier.
The carrier is constructed from 3/16" steel and features an adjustable spare tire mount designed to accommodate different wheel and tire combinations up to 42" in diameter. The standard MB1227 includes a 5 x 4.5" wheel bolt pattern mount, with additional versions available for 8 x 170mm and 8 x 6.5" wheel patterns.
The MB1227 uses a greasable hinge system and includes a factory roll bar tie-in for additional structural support. Although the roll bar tie-in is not required to physically mount the carrier, it provides important reinforcement when carrying the weight of a large spare tire.
The carrier works with or without rear corner armor, although Motobilt recommends corner armor when running 37" or larger tires. Low-profile tail lights are required for clearance, and bumper configuration must also be considered when mounting larger spare tires.
Designed and manufactured by Motobilt in Ozark, Alabama, the MB1227 gives builders a body-mounted spare tire solution that integrates with the factory tailgate while accommodating the larger tires commonly used on rock crawling and trail-built Jeeps.
Important Information
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Fits 1986–1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ
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Fits 1997–2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ
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Fits 2004–2006 Jeep Wrangler LJ
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Standard MB1227 includes a 5 x 4.5" wheel bolt pattern mount
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Adjustable spare tire mounting position
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Accommodates spare tires up to 42" in diameter
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Constructed from 3/16" steel
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Bolts directly to the Jeep body
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No drilling or welding required
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Opens together with the factory tailgate
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Includes greasable hinges
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Includes factory roll bar tie-in components for additional strength
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Roll bar tie-in is not required to physically mount the carrier but provides important reinforcement
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Works with or without rear corner armor
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Corner armor recommended when carrying 37" or larger spare tires
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Requires low-profile tail lights
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Motobilt MB6504 low-profile tail lights recommended
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When running 42" tires with a Rock Crawler Series bumper, a 1" body lift is recommended for clearance
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Motobilt MB1024 1" Body Lift recommended for that configuration
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42" tire clearance is available with the factory bumper or Motobilt MB1218 Crusher Series bumper
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Ships bare steel and requires painting or powder coating
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Made in the USA
Product Specifications
Part Number: MB1227
Product Type: Body Mounted Spare Tire Carrier
Vehicle Fitment:
1986–1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ
1997–2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ
2004–2006 Jeep Wrangler LJ
Material: 3/16" Steel
Mounting Method: Bolt-on body mounting
Drilling Required: No
Welding Required: No
Tailgate Operation: Opens together with factory tailgate
Standard Wheel Bolt Pattern: 5 x 4.5"
Maximum Tire Diameter: Up to 42"
Spare Tire Mount: Adjustable
Hinge System: Greasable hinges
Roll Bar Tie-In: Included
Corner Armor Compatibility: Works with or without corner armor
Tail Light Requirement: Low-profile tail lights required
Finish: Bare steel
Dimensions (H/W/D): 16.4" x 35.4" x 18.7"
Weight: 60 lbs
Manufactured: Made in the USA
Available Bolt Pattern Versions:
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MB1227: 5 x 4.5"
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MB1227-170: 8 x 170mm
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MB1227-865: 8 x 6.5"
Additional wheel bolt pattern options may be available by contacting Motobilt.
Related Motobilt Products:
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MB6504 Low-Profile Tail Lights
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MB1024 1" Body Lift
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MB1218 Crusher Series Bumper
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Motobilt Rear Corner Armor
Installation Notes
The MB1227 bolts directly to the Jeep body using the existing mounting locations. No drilling or welding is required.
The carrier is designed to open with the factory tailgate, allowing the spare tire and carrier assembly to move together when accessing the rear cargo area.
Roll Bar Tie-In
The kit includes components to tie the carrier into the factory roll bar.
Although the roll bar tie-in is not required to physically attach the carrier to the Jeep, it provides additional structural support and should be used to reinforce the mounting system, particularly when carrying larger spare tires.
Tire and Wheel Fitment
The standard MB1227 includes a 5 x 4.5" spare tire mounting pattern.
The adjustable tire mount accommodates different wheel and tire combinations up to 42" in diameter. Verify wheel bolt pattern, tire position, bumper clearance, and surrounding body clearance before final installation.
Other bolt pattern versions are available for 8 x 170mm and 8 x 6.5" wheels.
Corner Armor and Tail Light Clearance
The carrier can be installed with or without rear corner armor. Motobilt recommends adding corner armor when carrying spare tires measuring 37" or larger.
Low-profile tail lights are required to provide clearance for the carrier. Motobilt recommends MB6504 low-profile tail lights.
Bumper Clearance with 42" Tires
When carrying a 42" spare tire with a Motobilt Rock Crawler Series bumper, a 1" body lift is recommended to provide the necessary clearance. Motobilt MB1024 is the recommended body lift for this application.
A 42" spare can clear the factory bumper or Motobilt MB1218 Crusher Series bumper without that additional body lift requirement.
Finishing and Maintenance
The MB1227 ships in bare steel and must be painted or powder coated before use to prevent corrosion.
Lubricate the greasable hinge system as part of routine maintenance. Periodically inspect the mounting hardware, roll bar tie-in connections, and tire mounting hardware, especially after extended trail use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the MB1227 tire carrier fit my Jeep YJ, TJ, or LJ without drilling?
Yes. The MB1227 is designed to bolt directly to the body of 1986–1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ, 1997–2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ, and 2004–2006 Jeep Wrangler LJ models. Installation does not require drilling or welding.
Does the MB1227 tire carrier open with the factory tailgate?
Yes. The MB1227 opens together with the factory tailgate rather than operating as a separate swing-out carrier. This allows the spare tire and tailgate to move together when accessing the rear cargo area.
Can the MB1227 carry a 37", 40", or 42" spare tire?
The MB1227 features an adjustable tire mount designed to accommodate spare tires up to 42" in diameter. Actual clearance depends on tire dimensions, wheel configuration, bumper selection, and surrounding components. Motobilt recommends rear corner armor for 37" and larger spare tires. Certain bumper combinations may also require additional clearance modifications when carrying a 42" tire.
Is the factory roll bar tie-in included with the tire carrier?
Yes. The MB1227 includes the components needed to tie the carrier into the factory roll bar. The carrier can physically mount without the roll bar tie-in, but the tie-in provides additional structural reinforcement and is important when carrying larger spare tires.
What wheel bolt patterns are available for the MB1227 tire carrier?
The standard MB1227 uses the Jeep 5 x 4.5" wheel bolt pattern. Motobilt also offers MB1227-170 for 8 x 170mm wheels and MB1227-865 for 8 x 6.5" wheels. Contact Motobilt for information about additional available bolt pattern options
