Raptor Tailgate Hinges installed with Hammerbilt Bracket

[mcinfantry]

I wonder what the actual cost before the insurance inflation?

What’s insurance inflation?

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[swooshdave]

What’s insurance inflation?

It’s like healthcare. There’s what it costs and then how much insurance is charged. I’ll leave it for you to figure out which number is higher.

 

[broncorik]

I calculated my new spare tire (hutchinson + 37") will be about 130lbs alone. I also would certainly like to add fuel and top tire case. I am a bit apprehensive on the hinge-based solution. I even debated on just carrying the tire with no wheel on the roof as the spare.

Even though I believe the HB setup is the solution for most folks out there with moderate weight loads, for anything too far over the max I personally would be in swing out carrier territory. The big issue, IMHO, regarding ANY reinforcement that bolts to a tailgate is that it cannot possibly increase the load limit of the 4 M8 bolts (hinges to gate), the latch (unknown weight limit for that), or, most importantly, the passenger side sheet metal that supports the entire assembly. As-is, even at stock tire and wheel weight, there is noticeable flex that has to be accounted for in the alignment and latch adjustment. That slight flex is probably not a huge deal before adding weight, but (especially with hard tops) as the weight goes up it most certainly will have some impact as it flexes over time.

 

[mcinfantry]

It’s like healthcare. There’s what it costs and then how much insurance is charged. I’ll leave it for you to figure out which number is higher.

Ahhh. Gotcha

Where I live the body shop wants x to repair and fix things and the insurance company always wants to pay less or buy used/aftermarket parts to reduce the cost of the estimate.

man I am glad I don’t have insurance wherever they like to pay more and insist on it!

and interestingly with healthcare the doctors and such send a bill to the VA and the VA never pays that amount they always pay less. At least that’s what my EOB shows for every single thing I do in the local market

 

[swooshdave]

Be fore you think about hanging more weight on the tailgate take a magnet and try to stick it to the tailgate.

That should make you think twice.

 

[broncorik]

Be fore you think about hanging more weight on the tailgate take a magnet and try to stick it to the tailgate.

That should make you think twice.

Or just press on the surface between the handle and the carrier...one step above a beer can.

 

[deesle]

Even though I believe the HB setup is the solution for most folks out there with moderate weight loads, for anything too far over the max I personally would be in swing out carrier territory. The big issue, IMHO, regarding ANY reinforcement that bolts to a tailgate is that it cannot possibly increase the load limit of the 4 M8 bolts (hinges to gate), the latch (unknown weight limit for that), or, most importantly, the passenger side sheet metal that supports the entire assembly. As-is, even at stock tire and wheel weight, there is noticeable flex that has to be accounted for in the alignment and latch adjustment. That slight flex is probably not a huge deal before adding weight, but (especially with hard tops) as the weight goes up it most certainly will have some impact as it flexes over time.

I agree. Also got to consider how you are using it. If going offroad you are putting more potential shock loading on the lever with the fulcrum being that hinge. Put a heavy wheel and 37" tire you are going to store a lot more energy to rotate on big bumps. I haven't gotten my new wheels yet so I won't decide anything myself until then.

 

[swooshdave]

Or just press on the surface between the handle and the carrier...one step above a beer can.

“Aerospace-grade beer can” -Ford Marketing

 

[Tabman10]

Hi all,
For those that have installed the HB, does the plate sit directly against the flat painted tailgate surface? If so, did anyone put PPF or anything between to prevent this?

 

[broncorik]

Hi all,
For those that have installed the HB, does the plate sit directly against the flat painted tailgate surface? If so, did anyone put PPF or anything between to prevent this?

The plate does sit directly on the tailgate...even with several different plates on and off on my Bronco there has been no paint damage, with no protectant, but if you do want to get a couple inch wide strip of the 3M from Amazon that would do it. After you snug the eight M8 bolts to about 15 lb there should not be any movement up or down or side to side with the protective strips or not.

 

[Md Tim]

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 realized 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 in correct 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. Hammer Built 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 plate 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 scepter can will 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.

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 realized 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 in correct 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. Hammer Built 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 plate 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 scepter can will 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.

Great Solution
Do you know if a previously purchased tire carrier reinforcement will line up with the same hinge holes, or does the secondary accessories holes in the raptor hinges offer that as the solution. I want to upgrade the hinges, but do not want to eat my 700.00 Reinforcement Carrier, yet to be installed. Thanks for finding a much needed solution.

 

[broncorik]

Great Solution
Do you know if a previously purchased tire carrier reinforcement will line up with the same hinge holes, or does the secondary accessories holes in the raptor hinges offer that as the solution. I want to upgrade the hinges, but do not want to eat my 700.00 Reinforcement Carrier, yet to be installed. Thanks for finding a much needed solution.

The Raptor hinges are 1/2" taller (in context of the tailgate outward) then OEM hinges...and the taller section is between the holes that mount the Raptor hinges to the tailgate. You won't be able to use a reinforcement intended for the OEM non-Raptor hinges (with Raptor hinges) unless it was also intended to be used with spacers to compensate for the difference in height and unless it also has a different angle in the bends to compensate for the height. The only plate I know of that would work with either would be the hammer built set up...and only then if you bought the second generation plate intended for the Raptor hinges.

Which carrier do you have?

 

[Md Tim]

I purchased the Aluminess, as it seemed the sturdiest at the time. Took 6 weeks to get in, so I guess I will have to do some more research.
Thanks for following up.

 

[broncorik]

I purchased the Aluminess, as it seemed the sturdiest at the time. Took 6 weeks to get in, so I guess I will have to do some more research.
Thanks for following up.

I like that company and especially their bumpers... and I suspect that that unit that you bought is meant to work specifically with the OEM hinges and is probably slightly curved to match the curvature of the OEM hinges. Because it is aluminum, and the curvature is critical when it comes to the relationship of the tailgate and the curvature of the hinges, unless they make a specific unit for the Raptor hinges I would wager that you're limited to using the OEM hinges. The thing I like best about the Raptor hinge setup is that the hinge bolts to the tailgate independently of the reinforcement bolting to the hinge. With the other setups, you have to be extraordinarily careful when you're installing the reinforcement because it shares bolts with the OEM hinges...and as several people have reported they found it easy to push the nut plate into the inside of the tailgate. That is less likely when you replacing an OEM hinge with a Raptor hinge, because there are less pieces to juggle while trying to keep everything lined up. I also like the Raptor hinge design because with OEM hinges, and the addition of a reinforcement, many companies use a dellrin or aluminum conical spacer to try to keep the bolts centered in the OEM hinges (because they have tapered heads, and if you add a reinforcement plate, and then swap the tapered heads out for standard bolts, there is the possibility of some movement after everything is installed). With the Raptor hinges, you install them as if you were installing the OEM hinges, and then after everything is snug and where you want it the reinforcement plate can be added. Do you know if the set up that you have has any kind of spacers between it and the OEM hinges?

 

[broncorik]

I like that company and especially their bumpers... and I suspect that that unit that you bought is meant to work specifically with the OEM hinges and is probably slightly curved to match the curvature of the OEM hinges. Because it is aluminum, and the curvature is critical when it comes to the relationship of the tailgate and the curvature of the hinges, unless they make a specific unit for the Raptor hinges I would wager that you're limited to using the OEM hinges. The thing I like best about the Raptor hinge setup is that the hinge bolts to the tailgate independently of the reinforcement bolting to the hinge. With the other setups, you have to be extraordinarily careful when you're installing the reinforcement because it shares bolts with the OEM hinges...and as several people have reported they found it easy to push the nut plate into the inside of the tailgate. That is less likely when you replacing an OEM hinge with a Raptor hinge, because there are less pieces to juggle while trying to keep everything lined up. I also like the Raptor hinge design because with OEM hinges, and the addition of a reinforcement, many companies use a dellrin or aluminum conical spacer to try to keep the bolts centered in the OEM hinges (because they have tapered heads, and if you add a reinforcement plate, and then swap the tapered heads out for standard bolts, there is the possibility of some movement after everything is installed). With the Raptor hinges, you install them as if you were installing the OEM hinges, and then after everything is snug and where you want it the reinforcement plate can be added. Do you know if the set up that you have has any kind of spacers between it and the OEM hinges?

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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