Smittybilt Atlas Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier Install on Jeep JK

We install the new Smittybilt Atlas steel rear bumper and tire carrier on our Jeep JKU. This allows you to carry two jerry cans, a hi lift jack, and up to a 40" tire. It also comes with a 3rd brake light extension, and a Class 3 hitch receiver
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Smittybilt Atlas Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier - amzn.to/2qa2GOS

[@shanegarcia5963]

You're a life saver thanks a ton. You're the only one with good instructions for this on the whole web

[@fletcheroverland4236]

Ordered mine today. Thanks for posting this, I'm sure I will be checking back a few times.

[@trailspinTV]

Best of luck with it! After our expedition, and still to this day, it has held up and I'm happy with my choice. - Brandon

[@cautiontext]

Im sold on this bumper now. Thanks for the review!

[@trailspinTV]

It’s a beast!!!

[@bathornhill]

Just installed this weekend.... so stoked I had your video. More intense than your install, but we did it! Thanks for your video!

[@trailspinTV]

Great! Yes, this bumper is a beast. Lots of cursing and yelling off camera. 😉

[@MickDeezNutz73]

What issues did you have?

[@todd32x]

This video was a big help with my install. Thanks!

[@trailspinTV]

Happy to help!

[@walkerhiggins2954]

Thanks for showing detail. We were having lots of trouble before we found your video.

[@DannyWalker1949]

I sure Hope that the Jerry Can's are painted inside to, or they will rust quick now with the water been in there. Also, those Lug Nut's for the spare tire needs to be a Open type to pull the Lug Bolt into place on the New Mount. THEN, put on the closed one's. The Bumper does look good and it is a nice one. I built one back when I had my Jeep CJ-5, that was similar to that one. I made it to hold Air & my High Lift Jack & Spare. It worked very well also.

[@winning1products]

Best install Video I could find. Thanks!!!

[@trailspinTV]

Happy to help! I didn’t touch on adjusting the caster angle and it’s kind of a pain in the ass. If you have any questions let me know!

[@winning1products]

Thanks front and rear should be here this week.

[@mattobermayer7891]

Fantastic how to do it video. Thank you Brother!!!!!

[@trailspinTV]

You’re welcome! Happy to help!

[@leogrigio]

When you did the lug nuts I couldn’t stop thinking of air tools. Oh and don’t forget your license plate lol

[@trailspinTV]

Air tools for the win!

[@conradbaron4716]

Great install have the same bumper, But the latch parts has 4 bolts, one bolt broke off when off-roading. I got new bolts with locking nut..

[@trailspinTV]

Really? Mine hasn’t been holding up great. I usually need to pry it open at the latch for some reason, or use something strong to activate it. I’d hate to think that something could break just from off roading. I slam it shut pretty hard when I close it.

[@keithhall1811]

I have this exact same bumper with a 31" 285/70r-18 and mine sages a bit towards the latch. I appreciate your video showing how to adjust that, hopefully I can get it up some today. Also do you know if Atlas makes any sort of lock for the latch? it's simple for anyone to open and walk away with my gas cans.

[@trailspinTV]

Sorry, but I don’t think they make a lock. It’s my least favorite thing about the bumper other than the fact that after a year I can’t get it to line up with the pin properly and I need to pry it open every time. Been meaning to do a “1 year later” video but have been slammed.

[@emilyc2960]

Thanks for the video, wondering what type of jerry cans you use for it? Just bought the bumper and am excited to install.

[@trailspinTV]

I bought the standard metal Jerry cans but they don’t quite fit correctly. On the passenger side they fit, bit on the driver side the nozzle kinda hits the bumper. Still use them though. They work well enough. Good luck on the the installation!

[@seanmcelroy15502]

I got mine installed everything seemed to be fine with it except the wiring of the lights but while driving it the gate swung open is there any adjusting to be done at the locking mechanism that the digestion’s didn’t say to do?

[@robertheyl4192]

My 2018 rubi has this bumper/tire carrier on it when purchased in 2022. Any tips on getting the latch to stop coming unlatched on washboard roads other than keeping a rubber bungie cord wrapped to hold it closed? Nothing worse than seeing your spare tire and jerry cans out your passenger side mirror!

[@brokencrayon8055]

I had a problem getting the short bolts on on the left side where the carrier locks. The one bolt towards the rear was easy, but the one closer to the rear frame cross member will not fit due to the structure of the interior of the bumper. Any hints?

[@thebullandarcher7964]

What type of straps did you use for the Jerry cans from keeping them from moving?

[@kobinashi]

Great video, just installed mine. The latch and the pin don’t line up good. Back at it tomorrow

[@trailspinTV]

You have to use the cam wheel to adjust everything. Make sure you’ve loaded it up with whatever weight you’ll carry regularly. For me, that’s just the spare and hi lift jack. If I’m going on a trip, I fill my Jerry cans and readjust the cam wheel. It’s a PIA so be patient with it. You’re right to take your time.

[@kobinashi]

trailspinTV seems like the cam adjuster bring it a little to high or a little too low. Can you open the latch by hand usually?

[@kobinashi]

trailspinTV how many shims did you use in the main pin?

[@mrhoya14]

@@trailspinTV so how do you adjust the cam wheel?

[@trailspinTV]

Sorry man just seeing this. How did you make out?

[@jpiazza00]

Hey man, I just installed mine and still finishing up some other additions. I was wondering if you could tell me what you did with the trailer light hookup. Cant seem to figure out what to do other than tuck it away.

[@trailspinTV]

Sorry for the late reply. Yep, I just have mine tucked up into the space between the bumper and frame. For the most part, it stays. Sometimes it will fall out.

[@BunnyTJ]

great video. How did you wire the 3rd break light? i dont like the wires outside

[@trailspinTV]

Sorry, but I had to run the wires outside. Ran them on the side of the piping that faces the Jeep. Ran wires for my CB antenna at the same time since my antenna is mounted to the bumper.

[@stevenkirkey9796]

You just saved me so much time telling me that the plate adapter is in yhe fucking carrier box I bought the bumper portion on Facebook marketplace and it didnt come with hardware I was able to order the hardware elsewhere but now i know i will not get the plates until i order the carrier Jeep looks great , how is this thing holding up?

[@8l1ndman]

I am looking at one of these, what has it been like having it on for a year now?

[@trailspinTV]

For the amount of abuse I've thrown at it, I'm still pretty happy with it. I am having some issues with the hinge getting squeaky and tight, but that's probably because I've beaten the crap out of it and haven't added any more grease. I sometimes have to finagle it to get it to open, but that's ok with me because it's not lockable and it's like I know the "secret" way to open it - preventing break ins or someone stealing my extra fuel or whatever I have stored on the tire gate. All in all, great bumper. SUPER HEAVY. You will need to beef up your rear springs if you plan to carry anything for long trips or tow.

[@seanmcelroy15502]

Hey how’s it going I finally ordered this bumper to match the front bumper I notice you did not post a follow up video of you doing the wiring for the third break like just wondering how you did it is like to possibly do it the same if it works really well.

[@trailspinTV]

I ended up ordering a small spool of 16/2 wire on amazon and routing it along the tubing on the bumper, leaving some slack down by the hinge, and then into the Jeep to solder it to the existing brake light wiring. Works great!

[@seanmcelroy15502]

@@trailspinTV oh ok sounds what I was considering did you use the existing hole on the left of the vent

[@dra1ned]

Did anyone find gas cans that will fit this rack?

[@MickDeezNutz73]

I was trying to install the drivers side rear bolt. It was giving me all kids if issues. Did you have any issues with it as well?

[@MickDeezNutz73]

Disregard. Everything it mounted

[@mrhoya14]

So the nut plate needs to be loosened when making adjustments? I need to lift mine a bit, saggs on the latch making it hard to open

[@South_Dade_Fishing]

Yes just slightly

[@mrhoya14]

@@South_Dade_Fishing thanks, will give itna try and see if it stops the rattling/ and open easier

[@ConnorJ19974]

The latch is broken on mine, so I am trying to take the arm off but I’m having trouble taking off the insert on the arm after I remove the bolt. Any advice?

[@trailspinTV]

Do you have a hi lift jack? Might just be able to use it to apply more upward force to get the tire swing off.

[@South_Dade_Fishing]

Have you had your adjustment come undone and it start to rub again or just me

[@trailspinTV]

Definitely have had issues. Reached out to Smittybilt and they sent a whole new hinge assembly for free. Was pretty easy to replace it, but it’s worn out again. Constant rattling although I will say it has handled EXTENSIVE abuse.

[@South_Dade_Fishing]

trailspinTV ok yea because I just relighting mine about to drill a hole though one on the slots and put a bolt in it

[@mrhoya14]

@@South_Dade_Fishing on the cam wheel? Why the bolt? It doesn't stay in place? My carrier rattling a lot as well

[@South_Dade_Fishing]

@@mrhoya14 the rattle i have not been able to get away from but it the swing of the tire gate that comes undone every once in a great while

[@beetlebailey]

Next time air down the tire when mounting it to the frame.

[@Yumyumyum7]

I tried to doing it but didn’t work

[@donewhiskey]

All that Engineering to avoid buying roller bearings. It might be better to save a little more and buy a Rock Hard Patriot or save a lot more and get a Metalcloak.

[@trailspinTV]

Has been working just fine and Smittybilt stands behind their products. I love this bumper and have reason to switch.

[@winning1products]

So did you figure out the gas can issue?

[@trailspinTV]

I just ended up using the ones I had bought. I keep the nozzles in the trunk. The one that doesn’t fit kinda gets wedged in there after closing the gate a bunch of times.

[@winning1products]

If you can't fix it force it, if you can"t force it, break it and if you can't break it throw it away!!!!

[@vincemargiotta3014]

does anyone here have this for an extended period of time? i want to order one so bad, but the reviews are so inconsistent

[@trailspinTV]

I’ve had it for over 3 years. Still installed, and went on two 6-week heavy use trips. It has way more pros than cons, but mostly it rattles. Everything else about it has been great. It’s well built, takes abuse, and still works great.

[@vincemargiotta3014]

@@trailspinTV sounds like it will do just what i need. the rattling might become bothersome, but if it works, that is good enough for me. thank you very much for your insight!