I'm running a 35x12.50r15 General Grabber on a d window steel wheel. It's a pretty heavy combination (a little over 100lbs) and have it mounted on the tailgate via the Smittybilt Oversive carrier. While driving on a backroad today I heard a pop and im pretty sure it was the tailgate..Any suggestions on better reinforcing this??

 

Drop the cash for true tire carrier and get the weight off the tailgate.

 

This or the teraflex carrier.

 

The Smittybilt is more of a band-aid kind of carrier. Great for holding a bigger spare for on-road use mostly until a more sturdy, and expensive, carrier is bought.

For now, I would highly recommend removing the spare to prevent any, or more, damage. The Teraflex carrier is very popular and a good bang for the buck. I personally run OR-Fab tire carrier that holds my Hi-Lift and two gas cans. There's a lot to buy so shop around and ask questions.

I know it's not your answer you're looking for, but the JK tailgate metal is thin and tack welded: carriers directly bolted to it often rip the sheet metal off and there is no way to reinforce it without spending as much time as effort (or more) as a carrier upgrade.

 

Okay, obviously I would do the whole bumper and tire carrier thing if I had the money to at the moment. I just want to know if there is a better way to reinforce it until the funds are there.

 

Not really. Take it off and throw it in the back of the Jeep.

 

Well I checked it better today. Turns out it wasn't the tailgate at all. I just got paranoid. I do take it off for off-roading though.