Alternative To Mopar Tailgate Reinforcement

[Bulletbill]

I am in the process of prepping for 35” tires. I have read multiple discussions on whether or not a tailgate reinforcement is necessary for 35s and ultimately decided that it was, due to the following reasons:

- I was already using Metal Cloaks spare tire relocation bracket, which moves the tire out from the tailgate, potentially adding increased stress, particularly because I am going from 83 pounds on the bracket to approx. 105.

- As mentioned above, the tire wheel combo is heavier then my stock 33”s on the rubicon rims.

- I overthink things.

While I am usually a stickler for not cheating out on products, the more I looked into the Mopar support bracket, the more I had a hard time justifying the cost. I found the following bracket on Amazon and decided to give it a try.

https://a.co/d/1k2fjEu

The kit arrived and I was impressed with the overall packaging. There were some burs and remnants from the casting that I had to remove, but considering it was $600 less than the Mopar kit, I was willing to accept these minor issues.

I had read reviews that some of the hardware was soft, so I replaced the mounting bracket screws with the following:

https://a.co/d/57aBu82
And
https://a.co/d/hJNscm6

I had to chisel out some casting remnants that interfered with the provided spacers.

After that, the instructions were fairly straight forward. I added some additional pictures for anyone interested in going this route. In the end, the tailgate stayed in its exact previous position and everything was secure with no rattles. If I have any issues down the road I will report back, but for those looking to save some money, I would definitely consider this kit over Mopars.

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[Bulletbill]

35s secured!

 

[Jmazz]

I am in the process of prepping for 35” tires. I have read multiple discussions on whether or not a tailgate reinforcement is necessary for 35s and ultimately decided that it was, due to the following reasons:

- I was already using Metal Cloaks spare tire relocation bracket, which moves the tire out from the tailgate, potentially adding increased stress, particularly because I am going from 83 pounds on the bracket to approx. 105.

- As mentioned above, the tire wheel combo is heavier then my stock 33”s on the rubicon rims.

- I overthink things.

While I am usually a stickler for not cheating out on products, the more I looked into the Mopar support bracket, the more I had a hard time justifying the cost. I found the following bracket on Amazon and decided to give it a try.

https://a.co/d/1k2fjEu

The kit arrived and I was impressed with the overall packaging. There were some burs and remnants from the casting that I had to remove, but considering it was $600 less than the Mopar kit, I was willing to accept these minor issues.

I had read reviews that some of the hardware was soft, so I replaced the mounting bracket screws with the following:

https://a.co/d/57aBu82
And
https://a.co/d/hJNscm6

I had to chisel out some casting remnants that interfered with the provided spacers.

After that, the instructions were fairly straight forward. I added some additional pictures for anyone interested in going this route. In the end, the tailgate stayed in its exact previous position and everything was secure with no rattles. If I have any issues down the road I will report back, but for those looking to save some money, I would definitely consider this kit over Mopars.

Nice, I've been looking as well.
MP Concepts $300. Nice compromise between quality and cost. And it has the circular area for the badge that comes with the mopar kit. You can put and badge on it though.
https://www.mpconceptsparts.com/pro...-mounting-bracket-kit-18-24-jeep-wrangler-jl/

 

[Bulletbill]

Nice, I've been looking as well.
MP Concepts $300. Nice compromise between quality and cost. And it has the circular area for the badge that comes with the mopar kit. You can put and badge on it though.
https://www.mpconceptsparts.com/pro...-mounting-bracket-kit-18-24-jeep-wrangler-jl/

I was originally looking at the MP concepts, but it came down to shipping times for me because I procrastinated.

However, I’ve heard good things about their products and after my current experience wouldn’t hesitate to purchase it.

Unfortunately, I spent too much time hemming and hawing about whether I should pull the trigger on the Mopar tailgate or if the cheaper alternative would work better. I knew I was going to be picking up the wheels and tires this weekend and ultimately ran out of time, so found the best reviewed reinforcement with the shortest shipping time. Fortunately it worked out pretty well

 

[ColonelSanders]

Don’t be surprised if you need to adjust the door hinges in a few months due to sagging from the wheel weight. It’s not hard to fix and you don’t need to buy anything.

 

[Pape]

let us know how it go on the long run and the weight of your new set of tire

 

[Upnover]

Don’t be surprised if you need to adjust the door hinges in a few months due to sagging from the wheel weight. It’s not hard to fix and you don’t need to buy anything.

I ran a similar set up, just a Teraflex tire mount and the Amazon piece with a 37 BFG on fuel beadlocks for 24k miles and never had an issue or sagging. Sold the Jeep but I am sure it’s still chugging along.

 

[Bulletbill]

I ran a similar set up, just a Teraflex tire mount and the Amazon piece with a 37 BFG on fuel beadlocks for 24k miles and never had an issue or sagging. Sold the Jeep but I am sure it’s still chugging along.

Yeah, I can’t imagine it is going to have problems, it all feels quite solid and my tire wheel combo is only around 105lbs.

 

[Upnover]

Yeah, I can’t imagine it is going to have problems, it all feels quite solid and my tire wheel combo is only around 105lbs.

yeah the only thing I like about the TF mount vs the stock carrier is that it keeps the tire closer to the gate.

but like anything as long as you keep the tire tight to the stops you will be good.

 

[Bulletbill]

As a side note, just added fender extensions. Turned out pretty well. Link to the extensions:
https://a.co/d/41EecED

Must have plastic rivet tool:
https://a.co/d/9yU1UFb

 

[azjl#3]

terraflex. Installed, 35 on, zero sag from original position, no change needed. I put most of my weight on it and no sag. Over $1,000 though, but worth it vs bumper mounted rig, which I have had, and was a pain anytime you wanted into rear.

 

[Bulletbill]

terraflex. Installed, 35 on, zero sag from original position, no change needed. I put most of my weight on it and no sag. Over $1,000 though, but worth it vs bumper mounted rig, which I have had, and was a pain anytime you wanted into rear.

I like the Terraflex and Cavfab carriers since they both replace the factory hinges. I figure If this set up gives me any issues, it won’t be as painful financially to go with one of those options later down the road.

I know the old saying is pay once, cry once, but in my situation I won’t cry nearly as much as if I had paid for the Mopar option

 

[moeman]

I am in the process of prepping for 35” tires. I have read multiple discussions on whether or not a tailgate reinforcement is necessary for 35s and ultimately decided that it was, due to the following reasons:

- I was already using Metal Cloaks spare tire relocation bracket, which moves the tire out from the tailgate, potentially adding increased stress, particularly because I am going from 83 pounds on the bracket to approx. 105.

- As mentioned above, the tire wheel combo is heavier then my stock 33”s on the rubicon rims.

- I overthink things.

While I am usually a stickler for not cheating out on products, the more I looked into the Mopar support bracket, the more I had a hard time justifying the cost. I found the following bracket on Amazon and decided to give it a try.

https://a.co/d/1k2fjEu

The kit arrived and I was impressed with the overall packaging. There were some burs and remnants from the casting that I had to remove, but considering it was $600 less than the Mopar kit, I was willing to accept these minor issues.

I had read reviews that some of the hardware was soft, so I replaced the mounting bracket screws with the following:

https://a.co/d/57aBu82
And
https://a.co/d/hJNscm6

I had to chisel out some casting remnants that interfered with the provided spacers.

After that, the instructions were fairly straight forward. I added some additional pictures for anyone interested in going this route. In the end, the tailgate stayed in its exact previous position and everything was secure with no rattles. If I have any issues down the road I will report back, but for those looking to save some money, I would definitely consider this kit over Mopars.

Nice , looks sweet. Now you just need the emblem


https://a.co/d/18aDZH6

 

[Bulletbill]

Nice , looks sweet. Now you just need the emblem


https://a.co/d/18aDZH6

I thought about adding that, but I will probably go with this from threedom because I have some other small t-Rex cues throughout my wrangler.

 

[Terpsmandan]

I like my TF hinge except for the fact that it’s difficult to lube the hinges. Seems the only way to do this is to remove the hinge from the jeep, remove the c-clips to be able to tap out the pins.

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