I wonder who’s Idea @ GM or AM was to put the spare tire inside…

[Mike97ZJ]

SJ,

I run 245/75R16's, which are about the same height as a 31x10.50, but a little narrower.

I thought about going with a Yakima or Sureco rack, but like I said, I don't want the extra wind noise and reduced fuel mileage that comes with it. (I assume you're talking about a basket style safari rack?).

I DO like the look of them, however, and I think it would be a handy place to mount my Hi -Lift and shovel.

Maybe I'm off base though. Did you notice any drop in economy and increase in wind noise when you ran your rack? Maybe if I bought a Thule or Yakima fairing, or even just made one, it wouldn't be as bad. Any thoughts on that?

What I was actually thinking of getting was one of those baskets that plug into the reciever hitch. Then I can put my cooler and junk on that.

Reason I'm going to be needing all the cargo room is because I just bought a beach permit to drive out on Sandy Neck beach on Cape Cod, MA. When I go, I'll most likely be spending the day and bringing four friends with me. That'll be alot of gear to cram in the back of a Grand. Plus, I'm required to bring recovery gear too.

And I'm with you, I like the idea of a diesel Grand. They have one in Europe, hopefully they bring it over here. I read there are plans for a diesel Liberty for the US next year.

Oh, and I actually drive a ZJ, not a YJ. The YJ is the '87-'95 Wrangler.