Tailgate Reinforcement Suggestions

[Stuckinthesand]

I have been running a Black Rhino Barstow and Toyo Open Country ATII on my stock tailgate for 45k miles. I wheel on the rocks regularly. Only thing I have done is extended the bump stops so they are snug against the tire and put on the latch block. No rattles or sagging to this point and still closes like the day I got it.

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[STW]

Another +1 for the Teraflex Alpha HD tailgate reinforcement (and tire carrier). Really well made, stiff but not heavy for what it is because it's aluminum, straightforward easy install. I like that the spare tire rests directly against the Alpha HD without the bumpers/spacers. The tire seems better supported when held against the entire top and bottom of the Alpha HD. My understanding of how the tire's weight can damage the tailgate is when it's allowed to move at all on the mount, and the OEM style that supports it by a few spacers seems insufficient as a tire gets bigger. Mine is only a 35" KO2 but I like to hang a bike on there too. I have a tailgate table but it's a lightweight aluminum AAL VersaTable

I regret ordering the OEM optional tailgate reinforcement. The black OEM reinforcement piece I removed was a pitiful excuse for reinforcement, especially considering what they charged for it. Please tell me that OEM option upgrade includes reinforcements inside the tailgate too. Tell me something that makes that option money seem worth it. The OEM hinges I replaced seemed like nothing special, much smaller than what came on the Teraflex.

 

[beast40]

Living in MN I'd be worried about the entire inside getting coated. At least the Teraflex won't rust.

You can powder coat the entire carrier. Won’t rust any more or less than the Teraflex.

 

[Headbarcode]

Another +1 for the Teraflex Alpha HD tailgate reinforcement (and tire carrier). Really well made, stiff but not heavy for what it is because it's aluminum, straightforward easy install. I like that the spare tire rests directly against the Alpha HD without the bumpers/spacers. The tire seems better supported when held against the entire top and bottom of the Alpha HD. My understanding of how the tire's weight can damage the tailgate is when it's allowed to move at all on the mount, and the OEM style that supports it by a few spacers seems insufficient as a tire gets bigger. Mine is only a 35" KO2 but I like to hang a bike on there too. I have a tailgate table but it's a lightweight aluminum AAL VersaTable

I regret ordering the OEM optional tailgate reinforcement. The black OEM reinforcement piece I removed was a pitiful excuse for reinforcement, especially considering what they charged for it. Please tell me that OEM option upgrade includes reinforcements inside the tailgate too. Tell me something that makes that option money seem worth it. The OEM hinges I replaced seemed like nothing special, much smaller than what came on the Teraflex.

No internal reinforcements with the mopar add on. Just a tailgate reinforcement that helps to stiffen the gate itself, but only adds more dead weight on the hinges.

Complete waste of money, when one can get a full hinged reinforcement with adjustable carrier for the same or a little more money than the cost of just the mopar reinforcement without its related bandaid parts.

 

[Twisted Patriot]

I like my TeraFlex.

I second that.. I have the teraflex alpha HD carrier paired with the hinge reinforcement.. love it.. rock solid

 

[Headbarcode]

Living in MN I'd be worried about the entire inside getting coated. At least the Teraflex won't rust.

Before switching to the Cavfab Elite hinged carrier, I had the stand alone Teraflex Alpha HD carrier on my Jeep for about a year and a half. The finish was peeling off all over the carrier, starting at the edges and slowly working in from there...

I don't think southern new york winters are quite as vicious as those in MN.

 

[Sublime]

Before switching to the Cavfab Elite hinged carrier, I had the stand alone Teraflex Alpha HD carrier on my Jeep for about a year and a half. The finish was peeling off all over the carrier, starting at the edges and slowly working in from there...

I don't think southern new york winters are quite as vicious as those in MN.

Oh wow. That's not good either.

 

[Headbarcode]

Oh wow. That's not good either.

Like the other poster, I had to find a reputable powder coat shop to finish the Cavfab carrier that replaced the Alpha. And boy did I find a great company that does amazing work.

According to what the shop told me about properly prepping parts, powder coat does not like sharp corners. They don't need to be fully rounded off, just dulled with a flap wheel. Teraflex didn't do that with my carrier, but the shop didn't skimp on that prep time. 2 years later, and the Cavfab still looks fresh out of the oven.

2ish years later...

 

[Sublime]

Like the other poster, I had to find a reputable powder coat shop to finish the Cavfab carrier that replaced the Alpha. And boy did I find a great company that does amazing work.

According to what the shop told me about properly prepping parts, powder coat does not like sharp corners. They don't need to be fully rounded off, just dulled with a flap wheel. Teraflex didn't do that with my carrier, but the shop didn't skimp on that prep time. 2 years later, and the Cavfab still looks fresh out of the oven.

2ish years later...

Thanks for the info!! I hadn't thought of the sharp corner thing.

 

[chicknwaffles]

You don’t really need any reinforcement going to 35’s. Even 37’s is arguable. The JL tailgates are much thicker than JK’s. You’ll be fine.

that about says it all.

 

[Headbarcode]

Thanks for the info!! I hadn't thought of the sharp corner thing.

Yeah, I never knew about that as well. Fortunately, I found a great company that wanted it initially explain why they'd need a week or so to turn the parts around. "Prep is about 90% of the job", they explained. Otherwise, I would've never thought to ask.

Cheers, buddy!

 

[hoag4147]

Before switching to the Cavfab Elite hinged carrier, I had the stand alone Teraflex Alpha HD carrier on my Jeep for about a year and a half. The finish was peeling off all over the carrier, starting at the edges and slowly working in from there...

I don't think southern new york winters are quite as vicious as those in MN.

Little touch up on those edges and looks great. Ask me how I know ?

 

[RubiSc0tt]

I went from factory to 32.5 to 37's. I could see the tailgate shake when I would close it even with OEM Rubi tires/ wheels. Get one that replaces the hinges, or get a swingout- either for piece of mind.

I have a BodyArmor 4x4 Single action Swingout that is ok. I got it on sale. Bumper design is nice, powder coating sucks, the swingout is a pain in the ass to adjust so it doesn't rattle, and that's a design flaw- I've tried several different corrections before disassembling, readjusting, and cranking it down with extra DIY tire spacers on the tailgate and that seemed to work, finally. If I had to do it again, I'd get one of the ones mentioned above: Teraflex Alpha HD, CavFab, or Motobilt. Smoother range of motion on the tailgate, reinforces/ stabilizes the gate itself, and is simpler overall.

I actually helped my buddy install the Teraflex HD Alpha on his 4xe Rubi and I was actually considering replacing mine with that unit, mainly because it was easy to install and comes powder coated.

 

[TylerV76]

35 KO2 on Fuel Rebels caused a crack in my top stock hinge. That was with the teraflex carrier tucked nice and close to the tailgate.

I couldnt see the crack but heard it everytime I hit a bump. You could hear the metal separating. Spent a long time searching for it but the offroad shop ended up finding it. I put on a rugged ridge hinge replacement kit and it has been absolutely silent.

 

[AUjeepgirl23]

I appreciate all the responses!!

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