Tailgate reinforcement do we really need it?

[RubiRob]

Yes I put in the longer bump stops and they are compressed against the tire. I had tried everything from moving the tailgate latch,striker plate and plastic guide block, I even went as far as getting adheasive weather stripping and tried it on the bottom of the gate against the seal, even doubling it up did nothing. The only thing that thought of was similar to the Skyjacker bracket. I ended up using the trailer hitch with a plate that is tucked in and just has a slight amount of tire weight on it. Since putting that on, no more flex or wobble, no noise at all. The only thing you can hear is the air vents opening and closing

Ah gotcha. I'll have to try it with my 105lb 35" wheel setup and see what happens .

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[richk225]

Please do, my spare is a tad over 107lb. I would really like to hear what you find out. I pointed out in a different post about how the service manager felt about the JL HD kit. We compared my JK with a Smittybilt HD hinge to my new JL and it is really a shame, especially what they get $$$ for it

 

[RubiRob]

Please do, my spare is a tad over 107lb. I would really like to hear what you find out. I pointed out in a different post about how the service manager felt about the JL HD kit. We compared my JK with a Smittybilt HD hinge to my new JL and it is really a shame, especially what they get $$$ for it

Well now im back and forth on keeping my order or just getting the LOD bracket and living with it. [Banned Site] Eddie has been beating his up on a LOD and has had no reported issues.

 

[richk225]

LOD makes a great product without a doubt, I had my hands on one unfortunately it was on someone else’s JL and they were not available. There is a difference between how the rubber snubbers mount and make contact.With the Smittybilt the rubber snubbers attach to the actual bracket and not the Jeep where as the LOD snubbers mount to the tailgate if I remember correctly. If you look at my tire carrier you can see the snubbers mounted and red caps are up against the tire. I will take a picture or two tomorrow so people can see what the stock JK hinge looks like compared to the JL. totally different set up

 

[RubiRob]

LOD makes a great product without a doubt, I had my hands on one unfortunately it was on someone else’s JL and they were not available. There is a difference between how the rubber snubbers mount and make contact.With the Smittybilt the rubber snubbers attach to the actual bracket and not the Jeep where as the LOD snubbers mount to the tailgate if I remember correctly. If you look at my tire carrier you can see the snubbers mounted and red caps are up against the tire. I will take a picture or two tomorrow so people can see what the stock JK hinge looks like compared to the JL. totally different set up

Would you recommend that over the Mopar then?

 

[Cwelroy]

Definitely following this. Mine flexes like crazy whenever I hit a bump/pot hole/etc. And they’re unavoidable here in Indianapolis. I cringe every time I’m forced to hit one, just thinking about the damage I’m doing to the tailgate. Everything is super tight, bump stops extended, etc. But the whole tailgate wobbles with bumps. It’s awful.

 

[richk225]

Ok, here are a picture of the factory JK 3 bolt hinge, along with the backside of the Smittybilt carrier with the rubber snubbers
Lastly this is my quick fix for now, the spare just makes contact with it and uses the factory hitch. Shake it pull it kick it and the tailgate does not flex at all.
Skyjackers bracket will definitely leave you with a bruise and some colorful language. I know it kills the use of your hitch but I don’t trailer often but it is a DD.
I plan on making a flat bracket with a ‘L’ shape and the shorter section on the L up and facing in towords the tailgate so no cuts and bruises. If you put a slight incline on the L that is facing the tail gate that makes contact with the tire it would put a slight amount of pressure under the tire. So far mine is working like a dream, we even put a 37’ swamper on a bead lock rim on it and just adjusted the height of the bracket. Tight and Right
Next up is to figure how to make it without using the hitch as the base. Any thoughts???

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[Fingers]

I have been on this subject for some time now, I bought the Mopar $600 support and it’s a waste of money in my opinion. I had mentioned tailgate flex and no one seems to have it but me and my 35 BFG MT KM3.
Install the hinge reinforcement that does not connect with the body, then put on the extender to lift the tire up and out. With the gate open grab the top and bottom of the tire and give it a slight pull and push and look at your gate flex
Then close your gate and do the same, push or pull lightly on the spare and see how much your gate will flex. This kit is no where near as strong as the JK kit. Basically all you are doing is adding weight to the tailgate and extending the leverage by mounting the tire further away from the gate. Just my opinion, when I compare the JL to the JK it is like night and day. And the JL mount does not lay flat against the tailgate

I have the tailgate flex too. I am looking for a solution, and have yet to come up with one. I don't have a crease, but do have some severe rattling. When I looked I could see that the tailgate is flexing and rubbing on the body of the Jeep. I removed the spare, problem solved. Now need to figure out what to do to be able to put the spare back on. Makes me wonder how there aren't a lot of people with this problem. I too am running 35s.

 

[ExitLeft]

I have a 2019 on order and I ordered the Mopar reinforcment because I plan on 34s right of the bat and eventually 35s or 37s. I just noticed it doesn’t mount to the tub. How can it really reinforce or take weight if it isn’tmounted to the tub? Maybe is just makes the tailgate more rigid and stops it from flexing. Maybe that’s enough???

 

[Guy N Cognito]

Fun thread. In one breath, mention of a guy running 37s no issue. In another, flex with a 35.

 

[NavyVet1959]

I have a 2019 on order and I ordered the Mopar reinforcment because I plan on 34s right of the bat and eventually 35s or 37s. I just noticed it doesn’t mount to the tub. How can it really reinforce or take weight if it isn’tmounted to the tub? Maybe is just makes the tailgate more rigid and stops it from flexing. Maybe that’s enough???

Maybe they just want us to have to pay extra to fix their mistake of making things out of aluminum?

 

[Cwelroy]

I fixed my tailgate flex issue. I got an aftermarket bumper with a tire carrier. Now I have a parking sensor issue.

 

[bentaxle]

I'v been lucky I guess, carrier and tailgate is solid, hung on it and yank just from the top of the tire and the entire jeep moves.No rattling no vibrations, I loctited every bolt pretty heavy.

 

[American Adventurist]

It’s hard for me to get with the mopar tailgate reinforcement kit. Especially with the price tag. Is it even necessary for a 285/75r18 (34.8x10)? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

My JLUR has 285/70R17’s from the factory. You’ll be fine.

 

[American Jeeper]

I am running 37’s and installed the MOPAR tailgate reinforcement prior to the tires to be safe. I am trusting the engineers knew what they were doing here, and if I have any issues I will take it up with Jeep for sure. At first I liked the idea of not having to open a carrier and then the tailgate, but distributing all that weight to the bumper is way better than risking extra weight on those hinges, reinforced or not. Coming down on a rock one time wrong and catching the tire will be seriously problematic. Long term it’s aftermatket bumper with carrier for me.

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