Tailgate reinforcement do we really need it?

[klastinger]

Has anyone looked at the Smittybuilt unit? It looks pretty heavy duty.

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[Crockett911]

I don't think it's necessary at all. I'll paste a post I made on this exact same subject in another thread:

The Mopar Tailgate Reinforcement kit is a pointless product that merely serves as a cash grab, IMO. The JL tailgate's magnesium construction is much stronger than the JK and the fact they've got an optional drop down table accessory for the inside means they're pretty confident it can handle some additional weight. The big downside to this kit is that it doesn't move the weight onto the tub like the Teraflex's hinged carrier does. The weak points of the JK's tailgate were both the hinges and the gate itself. With the JL, it'll mainly be the hinges.

Now, can you slap some 40's on it and call it a day? Of course not. But the key to preventing the gate from folding has always been the bump stops. And no matter how many YouTube videos and posts on dozens of Jeep forums drive that point into the ground, there are still people out there who do not do this and are utterly shocked as to why their tailgate suddenly collapsed. Yes, the hinges are eventually going to succumb to a heavy oversized tire and whatever else you've got strapped onto the back of your Jeep, but making sure that tire is firmly secured from swaying side to side with extended bump stops will be just as effective as this kit, but save you about $600.

There are tons of videos out there of folks climbing mountains in their JLs with a heavy 37 tire on a heavy beadlock rim attached to a heavy relocation bracket on the gate and it seems to be holding up just fine. It's not invincible, but it certainly deserves more credit than what JPP gives it.

I have a 2019 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sport and put 35s nitto ridge grapplers, and was told i didn't need any kind of reinforcement. But when I hit bumps the tailgate rattles...i had it checked to make sure nothing was loose and everything was fine. I ended up putting a rough country relocation bracket and rough country tailgate reinforcement bracket and still wobbles and heavy. So if i got a mopar hinge reinforcement would it stop that? Will it work with other relocation brackets? I have rode in other jeeps and don't hear the rattling like mine does... the pic below shows what I currently have

 

[Spank]

I have a 2019 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sport and put 35s nitto ridge grapplers, and was told i didn't need any kind of reinforcement. But when I hit bumps the tailgate rattles...i had it checked to make sure nothing was loose and everything was fine. I ended up putting a rough country relocation bracket and rough country tailgate reinforcement bracket and still wobbles and heavy. So if i got a mopar hinge reinforcement would it stop that? Will it work with other relocation brackets? I have rode in other jeeps and don't hear the rattling like mine does... the pic below shows what I currently have

It depends on where the rattle is coming from. If it's coming from the tire carrier itself, perhaps something isn't torqued properly or you don't have long enough bumpstops to keep the tire in place. If it's coming from the hinges, I don't see how relocation brackets or reinforcements solely on the gate itself are going to help.

I ran 35s with the RC relocation bracket for a while and had no issues, but eventually started getting squeeks at the hinges after about a year. I only got the bracket to allow my 35s to clear the bumper. Moving up to 37s certainly didn't help. I eventually I removed the bracket, stock carrier, and replaced the hinges at the tub with the EVO tire carrier. Despite the fitment not being all that great, it did solve the problem by offloading the weight of the tire and carrier from the gate to the tub.

The Mopar reinforcement bracket doesn't add anything to the gate except more weight and despite people arguing otherwise, I still don't see how that solves the problem of noise at the hinges.

 

[Jabarsetti]

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/tire-carriers/7743-smittybilt-pivot-tire-carrier

This is on my list, it mounts to the hinge and is clean. if you are going to spend the $$$ for the Mopar might as well look for ones that replace/reinforce the hinges at the tub.

 

[klastinger]

I just installed the Smittybuilt HD Pivot this past weekend. Definitely heavy duty. I like how it replaces hinges and all, as well as has a support piece for the hinge assembly.

 

[Crockett911]

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/tire-carriers/7743-smittybilt-pivot-tire-carrier

This is on my list, it mounts to the hinge and is clean. if you are going to spend the $$$ for the Mopar might as well look for ones that replace/reinforce the hinges at the tub.

Have you seen this one? And what are the differences between the one you posted and this one

 

[Crockett911]

I just installed the Smittybuilt HD Pivot this past weekend. Definitely heavy duty. I like how it replaces hinges and all, as well as has a support piece for the hinge assembly.

Will it work with my rough country tire relocation bracket? Or will I have to buy another piece

 

[Jabarsetti]

Will it work with my rough country tire relocation bracket? Or will I have to buy another piece

It should replace it

Have you seen this one? And what are the differences between the one you posted and this one

im not sure??

 

[klastinger]

It’s a complete stand alone unit. It uses camera and lug mount from OEM tire carrier.

 

[MyDaughters20JL]

newbie, and I've read this entire thread....the problem is that there are opionions of varying degrees as to when or even if any of the reinforcement brackets are necessary....here's what I"m thinkin, by all means, correct me if I'm wrong....

Daughter ordered a '20 JL sport S last week: she's already decided on Method MR309 in titanium with BFG KO2's in 285/70/17

Seeing as there are relatively few reported cases of sag/wear/damage with 35's, I"m going to assume that jsut 33's (total weight of tire & wheel about 90#) is probably NOT enough weight to warrant the expense of one of the "legitimate" (hinge replacing) brackets?

 

[Odyssey USA]

So... I’m not able to find this 85lb swing gate limit spec. Is it 85lbs MORE than the stock spare? Or is 85 lbs the limit of a spare with a stock swing gate/tail gate?

I’m planning on keeping the stock wheels and they are supposed to weigh 23, 24 lbs. The tires I’m looking at 33.2-33.6” tall and 62-66 lbs would put my spare at 85-90 lbs. The tire should sit nicely against the factory bumpers to mitigate movement and keep the tire close to the swing gate not adding any significant leverage to the swing gate’s sheet metal.

Given that circumstance, I should be good without reinforcement until I go larger, right?

Thanks

 

[klastinger]

Same units I think.

 

[Willys53]

OK fire suit on
If a guy runs 35" tires and uses the factory 33" spare for an" emergency get to the nearest tire store" ( if the tire cannot be plugged on the trail) at a slow speed , couldnt that work? I have jeeped for years with a tire repair kit and a compressor on board and no spare .

 

[klastinger]

Has anyone looked at the Smittybuilt unit? It looks pretty heavy duty.

I put it on mine and I really like it. Does excellent holding my 37”. I like the fact it is a complete hinge replacement, and has additional hinge support.

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