Raptor Tailgate Hinges installed with Hammerbilt Bracket

[sko]

So what kind of extra performance can these provide? So reg hinges give you 130ish ilbs, what does this increase it to?

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[GoobertownDaddy]

I have a non-Raptor Bronco and shortly after I got it (about a year ago) I wanted to increase my range by adding a gas can carrier to the tailgate area. Unfortunately, at the time there were no options out there for a kit that was bolt on. Now there are several options out there that can be finagled with to make work, but none of them offered exactly what I was hoping to find. After purchasing a bracket from BAMF, and another from RC, I decided to go a different route and start with replacing the OEM hinges. While reading about the Raptor on this forum, it became evident that in order to accommodate the 37 inch spare and all the intended bouncing around that the Raptor is going to experience, Ford needed to increase the robustness of the tailgate hinges. They also must have noticed the benefit of adding a tailgate bracket to strengthen the overall assembly because they added one of those as well. As soon as I realize that the more robust hinges are direct bolt-ons for non-raptor Broncos like mine, I ordered a set. Ford wanted nearly $300 for each hinge, but there is an online vendor from which you can buy them for about $190 each. I went to Home Depot and bought a sheet metal plate, and then I made a template to make sure that after I installed the new hinges that they would be incorrect alignment.

Fortunately I found Hammer built fabrication from this forum, and Tyson kindly posted his cell phone number and I had the opportunity to speak with him about my intended goal of finding a tailgate bracket that would not only work with raptor hinges but also to which I could bolt a fuel can carrier. Hammerbilt already makes plates that bolt on to the OEM Ford Bronco hinges, but because the Raptor hinges are about a half inch taller and because the Raptor hinges have separate bolts that attach the hinge to the tailgate and then threaded holes to mount accessories, a new plate had to be configured to accommodate those changes. Lucky for me Tyson was willing to take my measurements and then have a plate made to suit my needs.

I received the play today, and below I attached some pictures of the finished product. Note that Tyson also has a Scepter MFC carrier in development and that will bolt directly to the tailgate bracket. If you're not a scepter fan, a jerry can is slightly smaller dimensionally then the scepter can so most carriers that will fit a septic can can also fit a jerry can. I prefer the MFC can because it weighs only 6 lb unlike the 15 lb Jerry cans and the entire goal I was shooting for was less weight on my tailgate and more strength. Even the one-off plate that I received today bolted right up and fits well. Note the threaded PEMs on the bracket to which things can be mounted including various accessories. Finally a simple, clean solution to decrease tailgate rattling or flexing and to be able to mount a fuel carrier and increase your range.

We got the one from Rough Country... I like it.

 

[BuckYeah]

A brilliant idea. Beautifully engineered and executed. The finish is a perfect match. Bravo!

 

[JHawk]

Hey great job, OP.

I'm still fairly surprised there are ZERO entries into the re-hinge aftermarket, considering how many things have been built to add weight back there. I guess it'll just take some more time, but this is still the best option by a long shot!

Actually RTR has a tire carrier replacement that comes with beefy hinges. The hinges look very strong. The upgrade is not cheap but I doubt it will ever need to be replaced.

 

[broncorik]

First, let me say that I think this is a great idea. I wish I had known this was an option before I bought my HammerBuild support. I worry that the tailgate may not hold up with the 35 SAS tire, rotopax, propane tank, and/or maxtrax that I may eventually want to attach. However, it does seem like there is some redundancy between the added support the Hammerbuilt provides and where the Raptor hinges are beefed up. I'm surprised that there is no increase in the pin size or any of the metal directly adjacent to the hinge/pin. The added support from the Raptor hinges seems minimal.

The forged pin is the strongest part of the hinge...I don't think that would ever fail even on the OEM ones. The cross section surrounding the Rapror hinge pins is much thicker...but the main reason I went with them is because of the flat mounting surfaces (instead of relying on spacers and sharing the hinge to tailgate bolts on the OEM setup).

 

[broncorik]

Actually RTR has a tire carrier replacement that comes with beefy hinges. The hinges look very strong. The upgrade is not cheap but I doubt it will ever need to be replaced.

I like the RTR setup but it is rarely in stock, heavy, and 1300...then the gas can carrier setup is another 500. Additionally, the RTR gas can carrier is for Jerry cans and not the Scepter, but Hammerbuilt will fit the Scepter. The Raptor hinges can be had for about 400, and better yet Hammerbuilt plans to make their own hinge upgrade that should be even more affordable (and more than likely with their awesome powdercoat).

 

[broncorik]

I'm interested in a rear plate that will bolt to standard OEM Bronco tailgate hinges, for the purpose of mounting the 2 gal Rotopax Gas cans,
to the right of the spare. Like some Jeeps I've seen. Is that what you bought?

No but Hammerbuilt has those in stock. It looks just like mine, but with this additional attachment:

 

[broncorik]

So what kind of extra performance can these provide? So reg hinges give you 130ish ilbs, what does this increase it to?

If I had to guess I'd feel comfortable with about an additional 25-50. I got it more for the way the hinges mount to the plate and because the jerry can carrier will mount flush to the assembly than I did for the weight increase.

 

[broncorik]

We got the one from Rough Country... I like it.

I have that one too...I like the appearance, but because of the logo location and cutouts there is nowhere to mount a fuel can.

 

[broncorik]

I think everyone was meaning the actual Raptor Hinges.

Does anyone have the part number for those hinges?

I posted them up top.

 

[broncorik]

After seeing your struggles in the BAMF post, I applaud you for finding a solution! Looks great, and Hammerbuilt does good work!

I can't say enough good things about them...awesome powdercoating, packaging, overall product, and most of all communication/support. My bracket wouldn't even exist were it not for Tyson's willingness to run with what I was hoping to have made.

 

[lakesinai]

No but Hammerbilt has those in stock. It looks just like mine, but with this additional attachment:

Thanks. Just ordered. Very responsive company.

 

[broncorik]

Tyson is a good dude I have two of his tail gate reinforcements already. So does this new plate use different mounting holes than the gate? I would like that. I do already run 37’s which is why I went with the reinforcement in the first place. Thank you and Tyson for keeping things moving I see this as a good upgrade with the Raptor hinges and reinforcement

It uses different mounting holes and instead of two bends it has one 6 degree bend to compensate for the Raptor hinges (they are 1/2" taller and they have tapped holes inward of the hinge mount OEM locations specifically for mounting accessories). The new plate will work only with the Raptor hinges and our non-Raptor tire carrier.

 

[JHawk]

I like the RTR setup but it is rarely in stock, heavy, and 1300...then the gas can carrier setup is another 500. Additionally, the RTR gas can carrier is for Jerry cans and not the Scepter, but Hammerbilt will fit the Scepter. The Raptor hinges can be had for about 400, and better yet Hammerbilt plans to make their own hinge upgrade that should be even more affordable (and more than likely with their awesome powdercoat).

Thanks for sharing all of the info. The Hammerbilt plate was already on my wish list of upgrades when I get a Bronco. I also like the Scepter cans better. I have one for gas and one for water that I take hunting now. I look forward to seeing Tyson & Co's hinge solution. The best part is that I was finally scheduled for production in one of the early rounds of MY23. I am finding it difficult to contain my excitement.

 

[ICUGAZN]

So the original Hammerbuilt reinforcement plate that I already purchased will not work with the Rapter hinges or the soon to come Hammerbuilt upgraded hinges?

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