Do I need to reinforce my swing gate?

[KyleV]

So I am looking at getting 35" nitto Trail grapplers for my BD sas. I hoping to put them on Method 707 bead grip 0 offset. Weight will roughly be 110-115 lbs. Should I get a tailgate reinforcement? I was hoping to save money and get it later. Or should I get the reinforcement before. Id like to get the tire fairly soon so I can use the wranglers in the winter again.

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[userdude]

The stock spare tire mount is supposedly rated to around 130lbs. I have a tire/rim combo that weighs 110lbs and almost a year later, no apparent issues ( ). I also have the Turn Offroad carrier that I haven't put on yet. If you don't slam your rear door/swing it around wildly, lean on it too much, hang stuff off the end of the mount that's too heavy, avoid hitting it while off roading, and otherwise just baby it a little, you'll probably be fine for some time.

However, some people have had the door bend under similar circumstances, so YMVV.

 

[El Diablo]

You're about 5lbs heavier (per corner) than the BRaptor's stock wheel with the K02 37"s and they have the heavier duty hinges so that should tell you something. If it was me I would add any brand tailgate reinforcement or the Braptor hinges now available in the FP store.

 

[broadicustomworks]

I would always recommend one.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I would take it easy on offroading until you did reinforce it.
Hammerbuilt one is awesome as long as you don't plan on 37's or plan on hanging a tire-top platform loaded with stuff.
If you do plan on either, I'd plan on getting the TOR setup.
I've had both, currently running the TOR setup.
I'll be removing it within a month and installing my rear bumper with swingaway carrier to get everything off of the gate.
Not that the TOR is not performing, just that due to my continued overuse of things and pushing limits, I feel better in the long run getting it all off of the gate completely. With a heavy 37 and a TOR tire basket with stuff on it AND fuel/water Pax, it's a bit ambitious for my taste long-term.

 

[Wildsnak]

To jump on this thread, curious about some of the options. Some require the removal of the tailgate and reinforcing the hinges, I assume this is stronger than just the 'plate' ones that go behind the spare wheel? I guess my question is, is it worth it for just the reinforcement ones without the hinge upgrades? I'd rather not take the whole thing off and only plan to add a few things to the back (maybe a table and some tire mounts for lighter objects). I'm new to Bronco and offroading in general (at least on 4 wheels) so I'm unclear how 'crazy' I'll be going offroad.

I have the '22 Wildtrak that already has the 35's on there, FYI.

 

[userdude]

To jump on this thread, curious about some of the options. Some require the removal of the tailgate and reinforcing the hinges, I assume this is stronger than just the 'plate' ones that go behind the spare wheel? I guess my question is, is it worth it for just the reinforcement ones without the hinge upgrades? I'd rather not take the whole thing off and only plan to add a few things to the back (maybe a table and some tire mounts for lighter objects). I'm new to Bronco and offroading in general (at least on 4 wheels) so I'm unclear how 'crazy' I'll be going offroad.

I have the '22 Wildtrak that already has the 35's on there, FYI.

You take the door off for both versions, it's just whether you're removing the hinges on the door (exterior) or the body (interior). The Hammerbuilt version is really a door stiffener, since it's mounting the tire more on the exterior hinges. You're probably better off with that than nothing. But replacing the hinges (or going swing gate bumper) will give you the most gain, of course. Also, if you keep the same GY's, and maybe up to 25lbs heavier tires, you'd probably be fine.

 

[Snacktime]

Almost any option is a good choice for a 35" tire. I would start looking hard at Turn Tailgate Reinforcement, Tire Carrier bumper (metaltech) or raptor hinges + plate with a heavy 37 or larger tire.

Main thing is the protection it gives you if the tire bumps into something. Very easy to ripple the rear door before you even notice a tree branch.

 

[PWillette]

So I am looking at getting 35" nitto Trail grapplers for my BD sas. I hoping to put them on Method 707 bead grip 0 offset. Weight will roughly be 110-115 lbs. Should I get a tailgate reinforcement? I was hoping to save money and get it later. Or should I get the reinforcement before. Id like to get the tire fairly soon so I can use the wranglers in the winter again.

FWIW I'm hanging a 37" tire/wheel combo (97lbs) with the Hammerbuilt reinforcement on the stock OEM hinges w/o issue. No flexing at all, the thing is solid. If I were approaching 110lbs I'd probably look at the Braptor version w/ the Braptor hinges.

 

[Brian_B]

I had 35" mickeys that clocked in around 100 lbs. After a run at Moab and Grand Canyon, my tailgate ended up getting twisted, it won't align flush at all 4 corners any more, and it has a permanent creaky noise now.

I ended up doing the TOR carrier - that helped with the creaking a lot, but didn't totally eliminate it. Still have one corner out of alignment and can't get it in, but it's as close as I can get it. With the TOR carrier, now the only weight on the tailgate is the molle table on the inside that only has some light weight tools strapped to it.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Most of the tailgate reinforcements are not that expensive. Look at it as insurance to save you a big headache later. Just do it comes to mind! When you finish your mount and get your new wheel and tire on the rear, make sure the 2 bumpers are firmly touching that tire! Bounce and wobble is not good on the tailgate. If you plan to mount anything else to the tire or tailgate...then reinforcement is strongly suggested.

 

[Brian_B]

Three types of products here:

Re-enforcements, they just shore up the existing hinges and stiffen them up. Hammerbuilt, Rough Country, etc are all like this. Tailgate is still carrying the spare, but there's gonna be less flex because of the brace.

Hinge replacements - they provide a beefier hinge (often in conjunction with a re-enforcement). This is the Raptor hinge replacement, Mabett/IAG kit that has new hinges, etc. Tailgate is still carrying the spare, but the hinges are a lot stronger. (For the record, I've never seen a hinge failure, even the stock base hinges are pretty stout)

Total spare tire re-arrangement. These take the entire weight of the spare tire off the tailgate. Turn Offroad, Metaltech rear bumper, etc. They pull the entire spare tire off the tailgate and re-allocate that weight elsewhere. In the case of the TOR carrier, the spare is directly mounted to a solid steel frame on the existing hinge mounts on the frame; the Metaltech moves the spare to a bumper-mounted carrier. The aluminum tailgate no longer carries any weight from the spare.

 

[PWillette]

Three types of products here:

Re-enforcements, they just shore up the existing hinges and stiffen them up. Hammerbuilt, Rough Country, etc are all like this. Tailgate is still carrying the spare, but there's gonna be less flex because of the brace.

Hinge replacements - they provide a beefier hinge (often in conjunction with a re-enforcement). This is the Raptor hinge replacement, Mabett/IAG kit that has new hinges, etc. Tailgate is still carrying the spare, but the hinges are a lot stronger. (For the record, I've never seen a hinge failure, even the stock base hinges are pretty stout)

Total spare tire re-arrangement. These take the entire weight of the spare tire off the tailgate. Turn Offroad, Metaltech rear bumper, etc. They pull the entire spare tire off the tailgate and re-allocate that weight elsewhere. In the case of the TOR carrier, the spare is directly mounted to a solid steel frame on the existing hinge mounts on the frame; the Metaltech moves the spare to a bumper-mounted carrier. The aluminum tailgate no longer carries any weight from the spare.

TOR also recently came out with the bumper mounted swing out which is pretty cool. Probably more than OP wants to spend but takes all the worries off the tailgate.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/new-bumpers-from-turn-offroad.108245/

 

[Metal-tech 4x4]

Almost any option is a good choice for a 35" tire. I would start looking hard at Turn Tailgate Reinforcement, Tire Carrier bumper (metaltech) or raptor hinges + plate with a heavy 37 or larger tire.

Main thing is the protection it gives you if the tire bumps into something. Very easy to ripple the rear door before you even notice a tree branch.

Three types of products here:

Re-enforcements, they just shore up the existing hinges and stiffen them up. Hammerbuilt, Rough Country, etc are all like this. Tailgate is still carrying the spare, but there's gonna be less flex because of the brace.

Hinge replacements - they provide a beefier hinge (often in conjunction with a re-enforcement). This is the Raptor hinge replacement, Mabett/IAG kit that has new hinges, etc. Tailgate is still carrying the spare, but the hinges are a lot stronger. (For the record, I've never seen a hinge failure, even the stock base hinges are pretty stout)

Total spare tire re-arrangement. These take the entire weight of the spare tire off the tailgate. Turn Offroad, Metaltech rear bumper, etc. They pull the entire spare tire off the tailgate and re-allocate that weight elsewhere. In the case of the TOR carrier, the spare is directly mounted to a solid steel frame on the existing hinge mounts on the frame; the Metaltech moves the spare to a bumper-mounted carrier. The aluminum tailgate no longer carries any weight from the spare.

Agree 100% with @Brian_B and @Snacktime , Frame-mounted rear bumper with swing-out eliminates all the weight from the body.

We have our rear bumper system 50% in stock. Reg. $2600 with the swing arm is $1300. Why stock lasts.

Of course the bumper system is real armor for the back of your 6G. Can see us working it hard, running the Rubicon, Its also nice to carry 11 gallons of extra fuel too!

 

[AK SNO RIDER]

I'd recommend one as well. When I put a heavier but still 35" tire on mine there was noticeable sag... door was bumping and lifting up onto the striker when closing.

I went with a hammer built plate and Raptor hinges.

 

[broadicustomworks]

Agree 100% with @Brian_B and @Snacktime , Frame-mounted rear bumper with swing-out eliminates all the weight from the body.

We have our rear bumper system 50% in stock. Reg. $2600 with the swing arm is $1300. Why stock lasts.

Of course the bumper system is real armor for the back of your 6G. Can see us working it hard, running the Rubicon, Its also nice to carry 11 gallons of extra fuel too!

Yep, this is the one I am currently getting prepped for install. It's beefy and looks like it can take some abuse, should the event ever require it.

But I’m also making it look good while doing so…

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