retread,
You dont say if the sliding part of the carrier is able to slide all the way forward to the extreme forward point of the rail. If so, and if the carrier is too long to allow the J bolt to align up correctly then I would agree that the carrier portion is too long.

My repro carrier was originally deemed as being too long based upon the size of the original spare. But now that I have bought a new spare which is (larger) the same size as my current running tires, it fits very tight.


Craig

My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear
My truck ....... Respect The Rust
If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.