Tailgate reinforcement Help!!

[Njdan]

Just picked up a 2021 Willys and was looking to see what everyone is using for tail gate reinforcement and tire carriers. On my old JK I went with Teraflex but for the JL their set up is way to much money. I will be mounting a 17x9 Fuel Rebel with 35x12.5 Ridge Grapplers. If you have pictures of your set up please share. Thanks

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[JasonInDLH]

I opted for the Hinge Gate Reinforcement from the factory when I ordered the Jeep. It must be a Mopar product. It’s been holding my 325/60R20 perfectly fine with the OE tire carrier. I have -19mm offset (4.76” backspacing) with a 10” wheel, so it’s away from the carrier a bit.

Heres the best picture I have of it…

From the above angle it doesn’t appear the third brake light doesn’t shine above the tire, but it does.

 

[Themistocles]

Just picked up a 2021 Willys and was looking to see what everyone is using for tail gate reinforcement and tire carriers. On my old JK I went with Teraflex but for the JL their set up is way to much money. I will be mounting a 17x9 Fuel Rebel with 35x12.5 Ridge Grapplers. If you have pictures of your set up please share. Thanks

In my opinion, the key is making sure you find an option that replaces or in some manner strengthens the factory hinges. If you dont do this you are just hanging more "reinforcement" weight off the same weak hinges. I use the Rugged Ridge Spartacus hinge replacement and HD tire carrier (https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-wrangler-spartacus-hd-tire-carrier-kit-1154655.html) and have been very happy with it. However, there are lots of other good ones out there.

 

[Stuckinthesand]

I have a 19 sport with 35k miles. I used the rough country relocation bracket to bring the tire up to clear the bumper and extended the stops behind the tire to make sure they are tight against the tire. I am running Toyo open country ATII and black rhino Barstow wheels 35x12.5. I have had no issues at all with this setup. It is my daily driver and I wheel it once a month and I don’t mean fire roads. These tailgates are pretty stout.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

The JL tailgate is much stronger than the JK tailgate. Just compare the hinges. I have seen zero posts here about a tailgate sagging or breaking due to the weight of 35s or even 37s on factory hinges.

 

[Njdan]

In my opinion, the key is making sure you find an option that replaces or in some manner strengthens the factory hinges. If you dont do this you are just hanging more "reinforcement" weight off the same weak hinges. I use the Rugged Ridge Spartacus hinge replacement and HD tire carrier (https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-wrangler-spartacus-hd-tire-carrier-kit-1154655.html) and have been very happy with it. However, there are lots of other good ones out there.

Any cutting or drilling required for the Rugged Ridge hinges?

 

[Themistocles]

Any cutting or drilling required for the Rugged Ridge hinges?

Nope, about 90 minute install. Very easy.

 

[donmontalvo]

I spent weeks looking at tailgate reinforcement options. My requirements were (1) solid support of heavy wheel/tire, (2) two antenna holes, and (3) no droop.

I ended up going with the Smittybilt HD tire carrier (7743). Several thousand miles, solid, very happy.

 

[AVGeek99]

I had the Teraflex on my JK as well. I really liked it, it held up well. For my JL I went with the Teraflex again. Agree it is spendy, but I like that it extends almost the full width of the tail gate.

I looked closely at the Smitty Bilt and Rugged Ridge as well. I like that the Smitty Bilt can be angled if you have a fast back.

Right now my TFlex is just sitting in a box in my garage waiting for my JL to arrive. ETA the next week or two.

 

[rkwfxd]

Rusty’s

 

[Chemy350]

I have 37's going on in a couple of weeks and I am going with the Rugged Ridge Carrier. Looks pretty good and a decent value for the money relative to others.

 

[2018JLRUSellersremorse]

I have 17x9 Fuel wheel with Yokohama Geolander M/T 35x12.5. 7,400 miles no issues.

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