Tailgate Reinforcement, is it Necessary

[jadmt]

if going to do a lot of offroading and fast rough road driving you need to or you risk having the tailgate sheetmetal start failing....if just driving on the road I would not worry about it.

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[keeperman13]

They utilize machine welding if I recall reading about that company. Those welds, perfect every time. Unless the machine goes off. I love it when machines go off. Watched a Haas machine obliterate bit after bit on incorrect input data... lol

Yeah man, CNC means if the program is right its beautiful. If the program is wrong, all of those fancy bits are really good at f@ckin stuff up. I used to love watching our Fanuc robot "spread" broken bags of grout and cement all over the cage. I mean, love might not be the right word. But it was impressive nonetheless.

 

[LARSONEM]

I put a Teraflex HD adjustable carrier on my 2012 when I went to the 315/70 tires. It was a very beefy unit. And considering the flimsy hinges that held the cheap lightweight tire carrier to the back of the Jeep, it was a worthwhile investment.

Fast forward to my 2022 Rubicon with the Extreme Recon package; 315/70’s and the Mopar Hinged Reinforcement kit. That tire and rim combination is 105 pounds. If you don’t have something back there to help support the weight; I’d suggest you make an investment. The Jeep JL hinge system is highly upgraded over what the previous model Jeep JK was. So the Mopar kit basically just strengthens the gate itself. Personally I got to put some faith in the Chrysler engineers that what they designed is sufficient for what I’m carrying.

Bottom line, if you are upgrading tires/wheels, I’d recommend so extra support and strength if it’s not already there.

 

[1Evil55]

With all the horror stories I've read here about this subject, I have yet to see actual evidence of any tailgates becoming damaged. 35's on my stock gate for the last couple years have noticed no difference from prior.

 

[Old Jeeper]

if going to do a lot of offroading and fast rough road driving you need to or you risk having the tailgate sheetmetal start failing....if just driving on the road I would not worry about it.

I run a 35 GY Duratrac on Fuel wheels...I can tell you the TIRE and Wheel are HEAVY to say the least.

 

[rickinAZ]

It doesn't impact the hinges because they aren't the weak point in the design. Any time you exceed the original design parameters you increase the probability of damage.

I can't speak to JLs, but on JKs, this is certainly the case. While members endlessly fretted about hinges, it was always the rivets that failed.

As others have pointed out, 85 lbs is the official JL limit. I can't think of a 35" tire/wheel combo that isn't north of that restriction. [My relatively light combo weighs 98 lbs]. This topic is VERY common; followed closely by the topic: "why is my tailgate sagging?". Is it possible that the two are related? Another common topic ("Do I really need a matching spare?") plays better with not upgrading the carrier.

That said, warnings are for sissies. Don't we all occasionally stand on the top step of the ladder?

 

[Stuckinthesand]

Toyo 35"s with Black Rhino Barstow wheels for 106lbs on stock tailgate for 60k miles now. Wheel it regularly. No issues to date. Only things I did was extend the stops tight against the tire and put on a tailgate latch block.

 

[Jeepalady17]

I don't think so, I've read people run a 35 on the factory tailgate.

I ran 37's on the factory tailgate ,,, never had a problem

 

[VKSheridan]

I suppose reinforcement could be beneficial if you like to drive with your tailgate open but if you maintain your latch support, there’s zero reason for your tailgate to sag with normal trail and climbing.

If you let slop exist in the latch support, it will let your tailgate rattle up and down which will wallow out your hinges in time. Quicker if there’s more weight.

But what if I add even more weight with heavy duty hinges? If you let slop exist in the latch support, it will let your (heavier) tailgate rattle up and down which will wallow out your hinges in time….

TLDR: You can buy a hell of a lot of less glamorous latch supports for the price of “pretty” hinges and wind up with a tighter tailgate. For 40’s and up, adding the weight of hinges and tires to the tailgate ain’t the answer, bumper mounted tire carriers are.

 

[Johnny B]

Yeah man, CNC means if the program is right its beautiful. If the program is wrong, all of those fancy bits are really good at f@ckin stuff up. I used to love watching our Fanuc robot "spread" broken bags of grout and cement all over the cage. I mean, love might not be the right word. But it was impressive nonetheless.

I hear ya'. Destruction, like a symphony. lol And the cost, oh man, that'll turn a stomach quick...

 

[thance]

After living with my bfg 35" on Steelies for 6+ months and often having to close the tailgate twice to overcome the sag I finally broke down and added one of these:

https://a.co/d/0bH4DTtX



Completely fixed the issue at a fraction of the cost of the mopar reinforcement or other overkill solutions that some are proposing for 35's. If you plan to go bigger in the future then maybe overkill is good...

 

[2nd 392]

Earlier post continuation— Toyo 35/12.50/C AT3 is 59 lbs, (the lightest 3peak I could find) lighter than the factory option 285/70 Falken MT. Still just 90 lbs with the 31 lb beadlock capable wheels, the other stock wheels are lighter, End of problem. They have also proven superior to the KO2’s they replaced.
If you need relocation, the Teraflex aluminum relocation brackets are featherweight and a simple install, ~$135-50…. (unused ~15 lb RC steel one is in the garage)

 

[yokramer]

After living with my bfg 35" on Steelies for 6+ months and often having to close the tailgate twice to overcome the sag I finally broke down and added one of these:

https://a.co/d/0bH4DTtX



Completely fixed the issue at a fraction of the cost of the mopar reinforcement or other overkill solutions that some are proposing for 35's. If you plan to go bigger in the future then maybe overkill is good...

Thats just a chinese knock off of the factory Mopar stiffener. No reason it wouldnt work just as well.

 

[Bill007123]

Of course it will work but also depends on what your planning? Heavy off roading and it won't last long but mall crawling will be just fine. Like others have already said its more about the weight than the size. I think my factory Rubicon tire / wheel combo weighed about 65 lbs., when I went to 37's that went up to over 100 lbs each! No way that would work on stock set up. I went with the Tereflex system that completely replaces the factory hinge, Really nice set up but it aint cheap, cost me around $1,200.00 but its the best!

 

[Stuckinthesand]

I suppose reinforcement could be beneficial if you like to drive with your tailgate open but if you maintain your latch support, there’s zero reason for your tailgate to sag with normal trail and climbing.

If you let slop exist in the latch support, it will let your tailgate rattle up and down which will wallow out your hinges in time. Quicker if there’s more weight.

But what if I add even more weight with heavy duty hinges? If you let slop exist in the latch support, it will let your (heavier) tailgate rattle up and down which will wallow out your hinges in time….

TLDR: You can buy a hell of a lot of less glamorous latch supports for the price of “pretty” hinges and wind up with a tighter tailgate. For 40’s and up, adding the weight of hinges and tires to the tailgate ain’t the answer, bumper mounted tire carriers are.

This is the answer. I off-road with plenty of people on 37”s on stock set up with just the latch block. Like I said I’m at 60k on 35”s at 106lbs with just latch block and making sure the stops are tight against the tire. This is with wheeling regularly on the rocks. Take it for what it’s worth but that’s my experience.

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