Do I need to upgrade tailgate hinges for a 33 tire?

[corystock84]

I'm the proud new owner of a 2005 Rubicon. Currently have a Smittybilt bumper/tire carrier combo and want to remove it and mount the tire directly to the tailgate with the Rugged Ridge Spartacus HD Tire Carrier Wheel Mount. I've seen mixed things about whether I need to upgrade the tailgate hinges as well. Some say 33" is ok for the stock hinges but for anything bigger it's a necessity. Anyone have an experience with this or advice? Thanks!

 

[psrivats]

I have 32s on mine and had no issues with the factory hinge. But I upgraded to the MORRYDE hinges when I found a good deal on them online. I would recommend them for 33s if you can afford to get them. Not "needed" for 33s but it's very nice to have. If you plan to upgrade to 35s, consider the whole Exogate system that these hinges are a part of.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

My OE spare tire bracket cracked along its top surface not long after mounting a 33x11.50 tire mounted on an aluminum wheel.

 

[Chris]

Do you need to? No

Should you? Yes (especially if you ever plan on going even remotely off-road)

 

[JMT]

My stock hinges would not hold up with my 33x12.5”. It wasn’t any time before it was sagging. Now I run the Moryde/Exogate hinges only. I’ve been running it this way for nearly a year without issue. Ultimately I’d prefer to have the whole system though.

 

[Creakydoor]

I have 33 x 10.5 tires and I’ve been running the stock hinges and bracket. Have taken it off-road and so far so good and haven’t noticed any sag or cracks yet. Might be living on borrowed time though.

If I see any signs I’ll probably do the Exogate like @JMT has.

FWIW, my tire and rims weight 71 lbs, which is lighter than some.

 

[Daz7]

and want to remove it and mount the tire directly to the tailgate with the Rugged Ridge Spartacus HD Tire Carrier Wheel Mount.

I have this mount on my TJ, if going this way I'd strongly suggest you get the tailgate hinge combo pack, beefs it all up nicely. With the hinge and the carrier, it's working out nicely on my TJ. Here's my install video, hope it helps.

 

[Grey_Machine7.3]

I've got 33x12.5's and with a 2in spacer on the oem spare mount, it still rubs on my bumper(aftermarket, some sort of something idk here's a pic

)
They have been on there for the better part of a year and no issues, but it never went off road until I got it. I will end up getting a bumper w/ tire carrier. Because it seems like it's almost straining the tailgate hinges, and the spare mount itself.

Edit, after looking at the picture I wondered if they were actually OEM hinges, they are, plastic cover on top of the stamped steel bracket.

 

[Flivver250]

When I bought my Jeep it had a 33x12.5 on the stock mount. While the hinges were intact, the metal of the door itself was in distress, no doubt from off road antics. I installed an aftermarket bumper that has the spare tire mounted to a swing out frame supported by the bumper and I replaced the rear gate. If your sled is hanger queen, you may get away with the stock mount + spacer. If you are going to thrash that thing like it deserves, go for overkill. I watched Rat Patrol as a kid and do my best to do them credit when I drive.

 

[jjvw]

Regardless of the carrier/mount, the tire itself needs to be pulled snuggly into the body mounted snubbers in order to reduce the shaking and vibration. Otherwise, any carrier is going to eventually break itself apart from fatigue. I would also argue that the tire ought to project as little as possible from it's attachment to reduce the leverages at play.

 

[Grey_Machine7.3]

I'm probably going to take my spare off until I get my tire carrier
Don't want to eff up my tailgate over sumthing dum like that

 

[Daz7]

Regardless of the carrier/mount, the tire itself needs to be pulled snuggly into the body mounted snubbers in order to reduce the shaking and vibration. Otherwise, any carrier is going to eventually break itself apart from fatigue. I would also argue that the tire ought to project as little as possible from it's attachment to reduce the leverages at play.

So you have experience with this carrier?

 

[jjvw]

So you have experience with this carrier?

Specifically no. But I do have experience with a carrier rattling itself to pieces, fixing it repeatedly before giving up and changing to an Exogate. Which so far has solved nearly all of my tire carrier complaints and problems.

The one you are looking at is subject to all the same considerations that make a carrier successful or not. The most important one being that the tire doesn't bounce around independently of the Jeep. Sometimes to make that happen, one might have to go a bit further than what is inside the box.

 

[Daz7]

Specifically no. But I do have experience with a carrier rattling itself to pieces, fixing it repeatedly before giving up and changing to an Exogate. Which so far has solved nearly all of my tire carrier complaints and problems.

Well, I am running this carrier along with their hinge solution. I have no issues and as per my previous post, I'd recommend the combined carrier/hinge solution. Wouldn't recommend the carrier by itself.

Will admit I have been concerned over it not having rubber snubs however, experience with this carrier as a combined unit seems to put those concerns to rest.

 

[chino1969]

My stock hinges would not hold up with my 33x12.5”. It wasn’t any time before it was sagging. Now I run the Moryde/Exogate hinges only. I’ve been running it this way for nearly a year without issue. Ultimately I’d prefer to have the whole system though.

Here are some pics of those hinges. Very well made and beefy.

 

[Brianj5600]

I had the same experience Jerry had. I welded the cracks and reinforced that area with some plate and have not had problems with the carrier since. The problem after my last ride is a crack developing at the top of the tailgate. I have an Exogate on my Christmas list now. Or maybe fab up something like it.

 

[Sunder]

I had a 33" spare tire on the stock tailgate for a while without issue - but that was also without much offroading.
But as soon as I had the money, I upgraded it to an Exogate for the peace of mind, as I felt receiving damage was only a matter of time.
I have not regretted this decision.

 

[Goatman]

It appears that my 06 Rubi has had just the stock size (245/75R16) spare on it despite running 32's. I thought the hinges were in good shape. Opened easily, latched smoothly with good latch lineup. But when I pulled the spare to drive w/o the extra weight I realized that I could move the latch side up and down about a 1/2 inch. So I'll be adding a exogate pr similar to the list. I think how often the tailgate is left open to hang all the weight off just the hinges could be why some go bad while others seem to hold up. Either way I think if you are going to go with the spare on the tailgate then a hinge upgrade just makes sense.

 

[Brianj5600]

Picture of crack I mentioned above.

 

[billiebob]

I've had a few Wranglers, always with 33s, never had a problem with the hinges. But you must be sure the spare is TIGHT to the rubber snubbers on the tailgate.

This space is a disaster in the making.

TJs originally came with cast aluminium hinges.
Then they "upgraded" to stamped steel with plastic covers.
There are little tabs to stop the tailgate from swinging too far open.
They eventually break off and the tailgate might swing, hit the taillight and break it.
Mine now stops when the tire hits the fender.

But the stock hinge will last forever.