Thanks to a great post made by Opus here on ToasterJeep, I decided to do a quick write-up that should be helpful to anyone looking to gain a bit more storage space in their Jeep Renegade. In a nut shell, there's a lot of wasted space under your spare tire and you can reclaim it simply by flipping it over. This is quick and easy to do but you will need to make a trip to the hardware store to pick up 1 new bolt. The following step-by-step instructions will show you just how easy this is to do. What you will need • (1)M8-1.25 X 65mm Bolt • Flathead Screwdriver • Hammer Instructions 1. Remove the bolt securing your spare tire to the floor of your Renegade. Then, flip the tire as show. 2. You will need to keep the plastic floor mount in its place. If you ended up removing this mount with the bolt, you will need to reinstall it as shown. 3. In order to secure your flipped spare tire to the floor of your Renegade, you will need to acquire a new M8x1.25 x 65mm bolt. This photo will show you what it looks like compared to the factory bolt setup. 4. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the assembly washer from the mounting bolt. 5. You can now separate the bolt from the plastic knob by giving it a light tap with a hammer. 6. Insert the new M8x1.25 x 65mm bolt through the center of the plastic knob and install the large metal washer as shown. 7. You can now install the assembled mounting bolt and secure your spare tire onto the floor of your Renegade. That's all there is to it. You now have a lot more room to store things like recovery gear and tools. I hope this short write-up was helpful to you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Excellent write-up. I would only add if the new bolt fits too loosely in the plastic cap, a few wraps of electrical tape around the head of the bolt will allow it to wedge snugly.
Did this today. Super easy and frees up alot of space. I wasn't able to find a 65mm. I ended up using a 60mm and it works great. Thanks for the idea.
I broke the clip when removing it and in hindsight... I think you can just push the bolt out without removing the clip at all. The clip is just retaining the washer to the plastic handle, the bolt head is pressure fitted into the handle. Next person try that. ;-)
On my latitude, the bolt and huge fender washer for the styrofoam storage tray was perfect for a full size 17" spare put in this way. Photos at http://pub.lavachamber.com
Thanks for this write up! I was able to shift a lot of things there that I had previously just stuffed around the outside of the tire. I've got a rain coat, hunting vest, 30' tow strap, 50' paracord, and a hatchet all inside the wheel. As a note, I have the generic steel wheel spare and the 65 mm bolt was ever so slightly too long, and allowed the washer to jingle jangle. Swapped to a 60 mm and it fits snug.
Great write up, worked like a charm. Used 60mm bolt on Trailhawk with stock spare. Sent from my Moto G (4) using ToasterJeep mobile app
I know I'm late to the party...but I'm a new Renegade owner and this will be my first "mod". Thanks for the write-up!!