Whats this?!

This rusty thing dangling from the back of my wrangler is just begging to be removed or painted! What is it? What does it do?! Where did it come from!? Where should it go?! Why do i want it there?! Thanks!


http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/sprocketjuice/Jeep/IMG_1078.jpg

What Im seeing in the picture is the spare tire stop. Its there to keep the rear hatch from swinging all the way around and hitting another vehicle in a parking lot or hitting the side of your Jeep. You can take it off if you hate it but just be aware that the door wont stop on its own before hitting something.

It also makes a decent place to mount a CB antenna.

Ahhh Thanks Ray! Now that i've found its usefulness, it'll get a few well deserved coats of paint and primer. Is anything supposed to go in the hole in the middle?

Ahhh Thanks Ray! Now that i've found its usefulness, it'll get a few well deserved coats of paint and primer. Is anything supposed to go in the hole in the middle?

I TALKED WITH MY LOCAL JEEP DEALERSHIP, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A LITTLE RUBBER PIECE THAT SITS THERE AND STOPS THE WHOLE METAL TO METAL THING. LAST THING YOU NEED IS A NICE BARE SPOT ON YOUR "TRUNK LID" .....

I TALKED WITH MY LOCAL JEEP DEALERSHIP, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A LITTLE RUBBER PIECE THAT SITS THERE AND STOPS THE WHOLE METAL TO METAL THING. LAST THING YOU NEED IS A NICE BARE SPOT ON YOUR "TRUNK LID" .....

Im sure at one point they may have come with a rubber stopper there but Ive never seen one and I dont know how much it would help. Its the tire that actually hits that stop, not the door or anything metal.

Ahh, thankyou!

That stop is there so the tailgate and spare tire doesn't destroy your right tail light which is space age plastic but very fragile especially when the heavy gate and tire assy slams into it rendering it useless. That will give the local police a reason to stop you!
Replacements are available thru many Jeep parts suppliers like 4WD Hardware etc