Tailgate reinforcement do we really need it?

[4xFUN]

I ordered the Mopar reinforcement as a factory installed option on my soon to be delivered JLR. (I will be using 315 KO2's on stock rims) I also went with standard plastic bumpers as I planned from the start for aftermarket off-road bumpers... However, after looking at the tire carrier bumpers from both Warn and LOD-with their luggage/bike rack/storage options, that $675 could have been put to much better use!

Sponsored

 

[trailchaser]

@NPE102414 @jawest12 have yall heard of the rugged ridge version? It's cheaper and a lot of guys seem to like it on here....I like it better for looks.

 

[jawest12]

@NPE102414 @jawest12 have yall heard of the rugged ridge version? It's cheaper and a lot of guys seem to like it on here....I like it better for looks.

I have, it does look nice. However, it operates more like the Mopar one does. It only attaches to one side of the tire carrier. So I am sure it helps stiffen a little bit. But Rusty's spans both sides. And has an extra support that goes in place on the body mount side of the hinges. Which was part of my decision in going with that one.

 

[trailchaser]

I have, it does look nice. However, it operates more like the Mopar one does. It only attaches to one side of the tire carrier. So I am sure it helps stiffen a little bit. But Rusty's spans both sides. And has an extra support that goes in place on the body mount side of the hinges. Which was part of my decision in going with that one.

isn't it the same as the evo or all the others then? The only one it seems to attach to both sides is Rusty's but then you have to drill....if you don't, how are you covering the holes...bumper rivets?

 

[NPE102414]

@NPE102414 @jawest12 have yall heard of the rugged ridge version? It's cheaper and a lot of guys seem to like it on here....I like it better for looks.

The rugged ridge is $550 which brings it right up to the price point of these ones. I got the rugged ridge and immediately returned it because I thought it was poorly made! It has no adjustability and is very poor design in my opinion. It doesn’t come with shims, it gives you no ability to pre-load the tire which you need to do if you’re caring a 37 or even a heavy 35 for that matter. And when I say preload I mean the ability to actually lift the tire and tighten the hinges so when the weight of the tire comes down the tailgate will be lined up and close smoothly. The rugged ridge doesn’t give you that option because of the fixed pin hinges and also as stated above doesn’t span the full length of the tailgate so it pretty much just reinforces it. These other carriers actually carry the full weight of the tire and carry the tailgate instead of the tailgate caring part of the tire like the Mopar and Ruger Ridge. Rugged ridge sells the hinged reinforcement for $400 and the carrier for $150, that’s no bargain.

 

[NPE102414]

isn't it the same as the evo or all the others then? The only one it seems to attach to both sides is Rusty's but then you have to drill....if you don't, how are you covering the holes...bumper rivets?

Negative, the Evo, Motobilt, Ace, DV8 are exactly like Rustys only they don’t have that end piece that needs to be drilled into the tailgate. This one isn't mine but it’s an Evo

 

[trailchaser]

Negative, the Evo, Motobilt, Ace, DV8 are exactly like Rustys only they don’t have that end piece that needs to be drilled into the tailgate. This one isn't mine but it’s an Evo

Do you mean that it's not as strong because the carrier and the reinforcement are 2 pieces that bolt on and this are on piece?

on the pic above you can see what I mean.

I like the looks best but if the general recommendation is it's not great, I'll go for the Motobilt or maybe wait for the Maximus 3 to be released.

thanks!

 

[NPE102414]

Do you mean that it's not as strong because the carrier and the reinforcement are 2 pieces that bolt on and this are on piece?

on the pic above you can see what I mean.

I like the looks best but if the general recommendation is it's not great, I'll go for the Motobilt or maybe wait for the Maximus 3 to be released.

thanks!

It’s not as strong because it uses the tailgate to reinforce half the tire weight versus these other options. In my opinion either wait and see what TeraFlex comes out with because they’re working on one right now and their quality is usually top-notch. The Motobilt is my favorite carrier but it wasn’t in stock and leadtime was 10 days out. I needed a carrier ASAP for a trail ride the following weekend which is why I ended up with the Evo. Now don’t get me wrong, once installed the evo is rocksolid and supports the weight really good, I just don’t like the fit and finish or the way it goes together. Keep in mind that the Motobilt is shipped raw and needs to be powder coated.

 

[trailchaser]

It’s not as strong because it uses the tailgate to reinforce half the tire weight versus these other options. In my opinion either wait and see what TeraFlex comes out with because they’re working on one right now and their quality is usually top-notch. The Motobilt is my favorite carrier but it wasn’t in stock and leadtime was 10 days out. I needed a carrier ASAP for a trail ride the following weekend which is why I ended up with the Evo. Now don’t get me wrong, once installed the evo is rocksolid and supports the weight really good, I just don’t like the fit and finish or the way it goes together. Keep in mind that the Motobilt is shipped raw and needs to be powder coated.

true...hopefully they have cb mounts and such.

The maximus 3 will have all the options their JK one has but is still in production, cb, rotopax, highlight mount, etc...just not sure I like the looks of the jk one.

https://maximus-3.com/home/maximus-3-jk-modular-tire-carrier-sport-package


For looks alone I like the Motorbilt the best, but not sure of their accessories.

 

[trailchaser]

It’s not as strong because it uses the tailgate to reinforce half the tire weight versus these other options. In my opinion either wait and see what TeraFlex comes out with because they’re working on one right now and their quality is usually top-notch. The Motobilt is my favorite carrier but it wasn’t in stock and leadtime was 10 days out. I needed a carrier ASAP for a trail ride the following weekend which is why I ended up with the Evo. Now don’t get me wrong, once installed the evo is rocksolid and supports the weight really good, I just don’t like the fit and finish or the way it goes together. Keep in mind that the Motobilt is shipped raw and needs to be powder coated.

heads up I looked up the JK Teraflex version and it looks more like the Rugged Ridge than the beefier ones, with the tire carrier being bolted onto the rack rather than being one piece

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/teraf...ogle_1749763888_65275301221__pla-695537521874

 

[NPE102414]

true...hopefully they have cb mounts and such.

The maximus 3 will have all the options their JK one has but is still in production, cb, rotopax, highlight mount, etc...just not sure I like the looks of the jk one.

https://maximus-3.com/home/maximus-3-jk-modular-tire-carrier-sport-package


For looks alone I like the Motorbilt the best, but not sure of their accessories.

I agree Motobilt looks the best but they also use greasable hinge bolts which is huge. You have to realistically ask yourself how many accessories you really plan on mounting to your carrier? If you do a lot of overland trips then I can see that as being important, but if you’re anything like a lot of us that just do daily wheeling trips I don’t really see the need. My high-lift is mounted inside so all I really need is a CB antenna mount which is slowly becoming obsolete because most people I wheel with use FRS or GMRS If licensed.

 

[NPE102414]

heads up I looked up the JK Teraflex version and it looks more like the Rugged Ridge than the beefier ones, with the tire carrier being bolted onto the rack rather than being one piece

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/teraflex-heavy-duty-hinged-carrier-and-adjustable-spare-tire-mounting-kit-4838150/_/R-FNNT-4838150?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhLuJ2cLo5gIVicVkCh2QBAS2EAQYAyABEgLtJPD_BwE&ecmp=s:google_1749763888_65275301221__pla-695537521874_TeraFlex_TER4838150_base_US&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&sc_intid=TER4838150&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIhLuJ2cLo5gIVicVkCh2QBAS2EAQYAyABEgLtJPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!7836!3!340663032463!!!g!695537521874!&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SC Shopping - NTM Desktop&ecmp=s:google_1749763888_65275301221__pla-695537521874

Rugged Ridge copied TeraFlex, I’ve spoken with Teraflex several times and they told me theirs is going to be a full width hinged version. You should stop comparing the JK accessories to the JL because they mount completely different, it’s literally an apples to oranges comparison. The JL tire carriers bolt directly to the reinforced section of the tub whereas the JK versions bolt to the the tub itself, much weaker, completely different in every aspect. Also, TeraFlex was the manufacturer for the Mopar branded JK tire carrier. They make high quality products.

 

[trailchaser]

I agree Motobilt looks the best but they also use greasable hinge bolts which is huge. You have to realistically ask yourself how many accessories you really plan on mounting to your carrier? If you do a lot of overland trips then I can see that as being important, but if you’re anything like a lot of us that just do daily wheeling trips I don’t really see the need. My high-lift is mounted inside so all I really need is a CB antenna mount which is slowly becoming obsolete because most people I wheel with use FRS or GMRS If licensed.

guessing huge as in greasable joints being a good thing lol

sorry I'm new to this lol

 

[NPE102414]

guessing huge as in greasable joints being a good thing lol

sorry I'm new to this lol

No worries, and yes that’s what I was referring to. Stay away from anything Rugged Ridge, they are on par with Rough Country. All they do is rip off other companies ideas that actually put in the R&D.

 

[Hayseed_JLUR]

How is paint coverage on the inside of the EVO? Concerned on rust.

Sponsored