Working on a new rear bumper, want your guys opinions

Like I said, if you don't mind it taking up half the storage space of your truck bed, then that's the way to go.

Everything is a compromise.

People fit 33's in the stock spare location all the time, so really the only reason for an alternate location is if you don't like bending over to reach your spare or if you've got an OBA system.

 

I have motorcycles and camping gear, go on home Depot runs, and do things that it's nice to have a bed for. I like the tire in the bed look, I really do, but only if it's a dedicated off-road rig.





I think 1st gen's look super cool with a tire mount too. Lots of people mount RTT's in the bed and slide camping stuff under it.





I also thought I'd just put the rear tire under the truck but then I ran into this guy and realized how clunky it looks for such a huge (compared to stock) tire to be under the truck. It pretty much reverses any ground clearance you gain by putting a new bumper on.

 

If you go with a 255/85r16 (skinny 33), you won't have that problem since they are narrower than the stock 265's. They still "fit" under the bed (after cutting the tire bracket), and since they're narrower , actually get more clearance.

That said, if you keep running your spare tire into rocks, you need to just bob the bed. If you remove the tire, you'll just get hung up on the hitch/bumper on those same objects.

 

I have 33x12.50r15 so they are quite a bit larger than stock. I removed the tire holder but didn't really like the look of such a big tire under there. But yeah I agree, if I hit the spare I'm gonna hit the bed anyway.