A little over a year ago, we mounted and tested Smittybilt’s excellent line of XRC bumpers for our Project JK Wrangler. They have worked well and looked fantastic during that time, and are one of our favorite additions to the Jeep!

Smittybilt has come a long way since joining forces with Transamerican Auto Parts several years ago, and the company has many new bulletproof products to prove it. President and CEO of Smittybilt Automotive Group, Sean Angues, knows Jeeps and what Jeep people want. In fact, Sean is one of the main drivers behind the XRC lineup of Jeep products, and we were finally able to get a hold of one of the most sought-after bumper/tire carriers on the market today.

It’s great to see company executives, like Sean,  introducing products to the Jeep community that work well and compliment a Jeep’s curves ... or lack there of. We had the chance to speak with Sean while in Moab, Utah, at the 2009 Easter Jeep Safari, and while the XRC product lineup is becoming quite large for Jeep vehicles, he assured us that it is only the beginning and we can all expect to see more new and innovative products in the near future.

The XRC rear bumper installed and ready to go.

The new Smittybilt XRC rear bumper with integrated tire carrier is a masterpiece that was in the works for almost two years, and the many customers who waited patiently on the long backorder list were finally rewarded with a product that will surely not let anyone down. We have tested and seen many tire carriers on the market today, for JKs and TJs, and the XRC unit is our choice for engineering, toughness, aesthetic appeal and functionality. 

The design of the bumper itself has been one of our favorites since its inception. With its super high departure angles and raised corners, extremely tough mounting points and the use of 3/16th cold rolled steel, this might be the perfect combination for a rock-crawling bumper. It’s also powder-coated in a Matte Black finish and carries a five-year limited warranty that we have yet to see chip under normal conditions. The solid-mount D-Ring points utilize welds on the inside of the bumper and out, while a 2-inch receiver tucks up fairly high. It’s doubtful we’ll ever use the receiver and would still love to see this as an option … but we’re not complaining.

We’d like to have the option of not running a receiver hitch.

As previously mentioned, we ran the XRC rear bumper without a tire carrier for over 16 months and were extremely pleased; however, carrying a 37-inch tire around on a JK’s tailgate is not the most appropriate place for a 130-pound accessory of any kind. A well-built tire carrier is a must have for any Jeeper, and the decision in picking one out is critical. We have yet to see a carrier that is rattle-free and a latch system that is super easy to use, dependable and just as durable. There is nothing worse than spending over $1,000 on a tire carrier/bumper combination only to have it rattle, shake and wobble while running down the highway or rutted dirt roads.

The XRC handle and latch are almost works of art.

We can report that the Smittybilt XRC unit has none of these negative characteristics. It is rattle free, due to its beautiful handle and latch system. We’ve only heard a few “clanks,” but that was likely caused by the jarring affects of running down an extremely rough road too fast.  We really weren’t even sure if it was the tire carrier we heard. By using a 2-inch bearing and a large gusset on the mounting pivot point of the carrier, you can be confident that while even carrying a 40-inch spare (the Carrier is rated to hold a 40-inch tire), you’ll have no issues. This tire carrier is solid!

The tire carrier is very stout and will yield you years of service.

mittybilt thought of everything when designing this combination. We also received a bolt-on, third brake light mounting system. It’s completely adjustable for different sized tires and only requires two holes to be drilled in the carrier unit itself. The height of where you carry your spare tire is also adjustable. Even at its highest setting, we can still see out the rear window of our JK with our 37-inch Pro Comp Tire.

The tire carrier is very versatile and incorporates a wide range of adjustability.

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Another benefit of the Smittybilt XRC line of products is the price point. While many companies are selling JK bumpers with integrated carriers for well over $1,000, and some nearing $2,000, it is refreshing to see this product for around $900, depending on where you find it. For the price, we feared that the product would not be up to our standards, but we were way off! In addition to a great value, the installation time on this unit only set us back about an hour and a half. That’s it! Very easy to install and was mostly a one man job.

This area could cause a hang up in rocks.

Ok … enough raving, right? There must be some downsides to the XRC bumper and carrier, as there is really no perfect Jeep product. Well, we did find one aspect of the bumper we weren’t too sure about. While we love the fact that the bumper does not wrap around the rear corners, providing a more traditional Jeep look, we would like to have seen the bumper “closed off” at the bottom with a flat-type skid plate. We just know that we’re eventually going to catch a rock on this exposed area. That’s it. We couldn’t find anything else we could knit pick at no matter how hard we looked. 

If you’re looking for a nicely priced rear bumper with integrated spare tire carrier, look no further. The Smittybilt XRC package will not let you down. It’s got the looks, the strength and the functionality that all of us Jeep people are looking for. Check ‘em out.

Smittybilt Automotive Group
400 W. Artesia Blvd.
Compton, CA 90220
Toll Free: 888-717-5797
www.smittybilt.com