Raptor Tailgate Hinges installed with Hammerbilt Bracket

[Md Tim]

The other thing I highly recommend is making sure that after you get it all bolted up and the tire installed that if the factory rubber snubbers don't contact the inside of the lower portion of the tire that you source the longer ones that Ford has available for the Bronco to ensure that there is no movement of the tire...usually that movement over time is what leads to fatiguing parts. I believe that Ford makes three different lengths of snubbers depending on which trim level and tire combination someone's Bronco came with.

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[Md Tim]

My Wildtrack is on the production line this week, so I have not even opened the Aluminess box, or any of the other 30 boxes that I have in my garage. When I receive it, I will reach back out to you. I just believe that the stock hinges on the tailgate, are a potential issue down the road, and the Raptors look much beefier.

 

[broncorik]

My Wildtrack is on the production line this week, so I have not even opened the Aluminess box, or any of the other 30 boxes that I have in my garage. When I receive it, I will reach back out to you. I just believe that the stock hinges on the tailgate, are a potential issue down the road, and the Raptors look much beefier.

Hopefully your Wildtrack is living in your garage soon! I checked and your Aluminess does use conical spacers:

Yes the Raptor hinges are beefier and have their associated benefits but unless you're carrying a whole lot of weight in addition to your spare it should not be an issue using OEM hinges. The reality is that no one I know of has ever reported a failure of an OEM hinge and it is my humble opinion it is more about the fact that the OEM hinges are curved and tapered so that bolting anything to them securely without a spacer is unlikely. If you do decide to go with Raptor hinges, I would imagine that you could easily sell the setup you have to one of many folks on the forum who want to stick with OEM hinges. The Raptor hinges can be sourced for about $400, and then the Hammer Built set up that bolts directly to those hinges is about 200, so less than the cost as the setup you have now. The downside is that if you get the Raptor hinges they need to be painted...I ended up trying to body color match them which didn't go so well because it was too warm out when I painted them and I got some chalkiness so I had to have them sandblasted again and then I went with powder coat which I should have done in the first place. The upside is that you could buy an additional accessory arm for the Hammer Built setup and then bolt on things like fuel can carriers or various other things. The other upside is that you don't have to cut up your OEM spare tire carrier or rewire anything if you go with keeping your OEM setup and use the Raptor hinges/Hammer Built plate.

I do like that the Aluminess setup is 10 pounds lighter than the HB, but I also imagine that to bolt any accessories on to the Aluminess setup that you'd need additional parts.

 

[Md Tim]

Hopefully your Wildtrack is living in your garage soon! I checked and your Aluminess does use conical spacers:

Yes the Raptor hinges are beefier and have their associated benefits but unless you're carrying a whole lot of weight in addition to your spare it should not be an issue using OEM hinges. The reality is that no one I know of has ever reported a failure of an OEM hinge and it is my humble opinion it is more about the fact that the OEM hinges are curved and tapered so that bolting anything to them securely without a spacer is unlikely. If you do decide to go with Raptor hinges, I would imagine that you could easily sell the setup you have to one of many folks on the forum who want to stick with OEM hinges. The Raptor hinges can be sourced for about $400, and then the Hammer Built set up that bolts directly to those hinges is about 200, so less than the cost as the setup you have now. The downside is that if you get the Raptor hinges they need to be painted...I ended up trying to body color match them which didn't go so well because it was too warm out when I painted them and I got some chalkiness so I had to have them sandblasted again and then I went with powder coat which I should have done in the first place. The upside is that you could buy an additional accessory arm for the Hammer Built setup and then bolt on things like fuel can carriers or various other things. The other upside is that you don't have to cut up your OEM spare tire carrier or rewire anything if you go with keeping your OEM setup and use the Raptor hinges/Hammer Built plate.

I do like that the Aluminess setup is 10 pounds lighter than the HB, but I also imagine that to bolt any accessories on to the Aluminess setup that you'd need additional parts.

Thanks for the follow up, I was out of town and just getting back to these sorts of e-mails. At this point I will just see what n
the aluminess looks like with the OEM hinges. According to dealership Bronco is built, but waiting for Quality Control to release. Ford site, says not built...who knows.
Thanks again.

 

[jclark]

Note that Tyson also can provide Bronco owners with a different hydraulic cylinder for the tailgate that allows it to open only to 90° so that when you do end up mounting your fuel carrier that it won't smash the tail light when you open your tailgate.

Hinge PNs:

https://www.oemfordpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/ford-hinge-assembly-rear-door-n2dz7826800a This is the other

https://www.oemfordpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/ford-hinge-assembly-rear-door-n2dz7842900a

And reach out to Tyson directly for Raptor hinge plate:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/members/doyoubronco.33336/

I'm planning to go this route - Raptor hinges and HB reinforcement. Other than the two hinges from Ford above - is anything else needed as far as Ford parts? I was also looking at this thread on Bronco Nation and wasn't sure if the additional parts listed there were needed - https://thebronconation.com/accesso...nforcement-options-a-battle-of-style-t.17321/

 

[Gettyup]

I'm planning to go this route - Raptor hinges and HB reinforcement. Other than the two hinges from Ford above - is anything else needed as far as Ford parts? I was also looking at this thread on Bronco Nation and wasn't sure if the additional parts listed there were needed - https://thebronconation.com/accesso...nforcement-options-a-battle-of-style-t.17321/

That’s all I used to install My hinges and HB reinforcement, besides painting the hinges to match the Bronco.

 

[jclark]

That’s all I used to install My hinges and HB reinforcement, besides painting the hinges to match the Bronco.

Thanks! Now I'm on a hunt to see who has them in stock and can ship to me. I have an apt with the body shop for other work and they are giving me a deal to have them painted and installed at the same time if I can get them in time.

any idea what the difference between the with and without Raptor options are?

 

[broncorik]

Thanks! Now I'm on a hunt to see who has them in stock and can ship to me. I have an apt with the body shop for other work and they are giving me a deal to have them painted and installed at the same time if I can get them in time.

any idea what the difference between the with and without Raptor options are?

You are referring to swapping your OEM hinges with Raptor hinges, and NOT using Raptor OEM plate, correct? Opting instead for HB Raptor-hinges specific plate? If so, you can buy the Raptor hinges from loads of online Ford parts sites...for about 400 for the pair. I tried body color painting mine, and It did not go so well because the day I chose to paint them was on the warm side and the pain was partially drying before it was hitting the hinge. After having them on for a while I decided to get them sandblasted again and to then have them powder coated in black...for me that was a much better choice. They come with a factory primer on them, but if you're going to paint them I recommend sand blasting first. Those little rubber pieces are meant to prevent the hinge from hitting itself when opening all the way, and you could use the ones that are on your OEM hinges and just swap them over if you'd like to save a few bucks. You do not need to replace the bolts that bolt the Raptor hinge to the tailgate because they are the same part number as the bolts that hold your OEM hinge to your tailgate.

If you're going to be putting anything else on that gate, such as a Rotopax, I highly recommend getting the M2M tailgate limiter so that it opens only to 90° and prevent you from smashing into your tail light.

 

[jclark]

You are referring to swapping your OEM hinges with Raptor hinges, and NOT using Raptor OEM plate, correct? Opting instead for HB Raptor-hinges specific plate? If so, you can buy the Raptor hinges from loads of online Ford parts sites...for about 400 for the pair. I tried body color painting mine, and It did not go so well because the day I chose to paint them was on the warm side and the pain was partially drying before it was hitting the hinge. After having them on for a while I decided to get them sandblasted again and to then have them powder coated in black...for me that was a much better choice. They come with a factory primer on them, but if you're going to paint them I recommend sand blasting first. Those little rubber pieces are meant to prevent the hinge from hitting itself when opening all the way, and you could use the ones that are on your OEM hinges and just swap them over if you'd like to save a few bucks. You do not need to replace the bolts that bolt the Raptor hinge to the tailgate because they are the same part number as the bolts that hold your OEM hinge to your tailgate.

If you're going to be putting anything else on that gate, such as a Rotopax, I highly recommend getting the M2M tailgate limiter so that it opens only to 90° and prevent you from smashing into your tail light.

My game plan is indeed to swap out my OEM non raptor hinges with the raptor hinges and then have the HB reinforcement plate installed.

I've looked up and called over a dozen online OEM part sites to finally have one offer to look up for me where they show in stock so I could narrow my searching. Turns out both that showed on hand stock have then in stock as filling a customer order and weren't available (but kudos to the folks that were willing to look up that info for me).

My Bronco is scheduled for some warranty body work items and the body shop was going to paint and install the raptor hinges for me at the same time. My local dealer took over a week to get back with me about the raptor hinges - so I didn't start looking for a different source for them until the lead time won't let me have the work done the same visit with the body shop (I'm always hopeful my local dealer will match the OEM part online sites, and they don't).

I want an option to mount recovery boards and a shovel on the outside of the tailgate - which will be the next item I narrow down. And once that is in play, will need to look at the tailgate limiter. HammerBuilt offers one as well - so I'll compare that to the M2M for options.

Hinges influence which reinforcement bracket to get, which influences board mounting options.... so I needed to start with the hinges.

 

[broncorik]

My game plan is indeed to swap out my OEM non raptor hinges with the raptor hinges and then have the HB reinforcement plate installed.

I've looked up and called over a dozen online OEM part sites to finally have one offer to look up for me where they show in stock so I could narrow my searching. Turns out both that showed on hand stock have then in stock as filling a customer order and weren't available (but kudos to the folks that were willing to look up that info for me).

My Bronco is scheduled for some warranty body work items and the body shop was going to paint and install the raptor hinges for me at the same time. My local dealer took over a week to get back with me about the raptor hinges - so I didn't start looking for a different source for them until the lead time won't let me have the work done the same visit with the body shop (I'm always hopeful my local dealer will match the OEM part online sites, and they don't).

I want an option to mount recovery boards and a shovel on the outside of the tailgate - which will be the next item I narrow down. And once that is in play, will need to look at the tailgate limiter. HammerBuilt offers one as well - so I'll compare that to the M2M for options.

Hinges influence which reinforcement bracket to get, which influences board mounting options.... so I needed to start with the hinges.

HB accessory plate is already configured for recovery boards as an option, so you have that covered (if you go with their accessory arm). It can also fit Rotopax configurations as well. If your body shop is installing hinges, it would be nice if they could install your plate and then adjust for droop at the latch assembly (with the weight of the spare on it). The hinges are overkill for what most of us will do with them, but the best feature they offer IMHO is the threaded holes independent of the hinge to tailgate holes to bolt the plate to. Depending on which recovery boards you go with, you may have enough room to place two Quick Fist rubber mounts to grab your shovel. I search a lot of places and settled on this awesome shovel:

https://www.predatortools.com/colle...s/all-new-model-45-the-hornet-d-handle-shovel

I think HB is still offering the shorter strut, which does limit tailgate opening to 90...but note that it is a charged unit and not a damper (so it pushes your gate open and there is resistance when you close it). The M2M limiter allows use of your OEM damper and different degrees of travel limit.

 

[jclark]

HB accessory plate is already configured for recovery boards as an option, so you have that covered (if you go with their accessory arm). It can also fit Rotopax configurations as well. If your body shop is installing hinges, it would be nice if they could install your plate and then adjust for droop at the latch assembly (with the weight of the spare on it). The hinges are overkill for what most of us will do with them, but the best feature they offer IMHO is the threaded holes independent of the hinge to tailgate holes to bolt the plate to. Depending on which recovery boards you go with, you may have enough room to place two Quick Fist rubber mounts to grab your shovel. I search a lot of places and settled on this awesome shovel:

https://www.predatortools.com/colle...s/all-new-model-45-the-hornet-d-handle-shovel

I think HB is still offering the shorter strut, which does limit tailgate opening to 90...but note that it is a charged unit and not a damper (so it pushes your gate open and there is resistance when you close it). The M2M limiter allows use of your OEM damper and different degrees of travel limit.

Here's what I'm actively looking for discount codes for....

M2m hinge limiter
HB Raptor hinge reinforcement plate

Raptor hinges on order (best price I found was $201 and some change each).

Will plan for the HB accessory arm when they launch their recovery board mount (in final testing now).

Plan to drop off the hinges to be painted - and then will work with the body shop to install them (and hopefully the plate) 30 days after that (for the paint to cure).

 

[jclark]

That’s all I used to install My hinges and HB reinforcement, besides painting the hinges to match the Bronco.

As I finalize plans... looks like you have the stock 35's with the badlands sas - did you have to extend the rubber stoppers on the tailgate with the reinforcement panel installed?

 

[NORCALGXP]

As I finalize plans... looks like you have the stock 35's with the badlands sas - did you have to extend the rubber stoppers on the tailgate with the reinforcement panel installed?

I should have, been to Moab and on the Rubicon two weeks ago washed the Bronco and discovered the the tail gate is bowed out ward. Going to order this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IDM1OCE?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[Carfanatic]

What’s different about the hammer built vs m2m?

 

[broncorik]

What’s different about the hammer built vs m2m?

M2M is very similar to the HB first-gen (and RC) bracket. RC bracket does not have PEM/welded nuts for accessories, so IMHO it is in last place. HB, if it still comes with comical delrin spacers for the OEM hinges, would take second...and M2M would take first primarily because of the aluminum conical spacers. What M2M bracket won't work with is the Raptor hinges...it is not drilled for the Raptor hinges bolt pattern and I would wager the bends are not designed for the height of the Raptor hinges. If you have OEM hinges, and prefer the M2M look/price, easy choice. If, however, you prefer the HB setup, I HIGHLY recommend skipping the Gen 1 plate and going with their Gen 2 (Raptor or OEM setup) and use the RTR threaded conical fasteners...it will make mounting the new HB Gen 2 plate much easier and more secure.

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