tailgate steroids?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, NJ
i did similiar calculations. i have 33" bfg a/t on 16x8 procomp steels. 90 lbs total. stock setup is 72.5. 17.5 difference lbs for DD and weekend warrior stuff shouldnt be a concern. im putting on daystar bumpstops and mrbp spare tire reinforcing about $45 total. if i do anything serious i'll strap the tire down in the back. if i start to see even the slightest problem with the tailgate i'll get the or fab body mount. i had a '08 and just got an '11 rubicon, it seems the tailgate hinges are beefier. my '08 also didnt have the metal tailgate stop just the strap.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: sac
I was in the market for a carrier recently, with the same ideas as the op, but I had a different concern. All bumper carriers solve the weak tailgate problem, some tailgate carriers strengthen the hinge points. But the real issue for me wasn't just finding a cairrier that could handle extra weight, it needed to be able to take a hit on the bottom of the tire, or not rip everything apart if I stood it on end. I am not aware of any tailgate strengthening kits that could handle that over time. I think the best bet has got to be a bumper mounted/hinge integrated. Or what I decided on, which is a bodymount, the genright. Mounts to the stock hinge with new bracketry, and pins to a new mount beside the gate, taking all the stress off the gate. I know the idea of a bodymount seems sketchy, but once i saw the brackets i wasnt worried. Evo and orfab's version are pretty wicked awesome too. My 2 cents.
Thanks!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Florida
I've read a spec that said 50lbs is the max Jeep recommends for the tailgate. I put the steel strengtheners in for 33's and feel it does ok on pavement and light off road. Just came back from Colorado and saw a lot of bent/dent/saggin' gates. The added leverage and weight with the shock loading of heavy wheeling takes a higher toll.