MORryde, new tailgate, or both?

[DakotaTJ]

My tailgate is a bit F’d. I noticed when I picked up the jeep that you really had to force it closed and there was a gap at the top of the gate and the soft top (gate didn't touch the top). At the time I assumed it was because the spare was hitting the bumper. When I got the jeep home I removed the spare at the gate seemed to close much easier. Not sure about the gap at this point as I’d already removed the top.

I then installed a Spartacus tire carrier to move the spare away from the bumper. BTW, I think the sparticus looks stupid, but would’ve been a fix until I figured out what bumper I want. Put the spare back on, and it clears the bumper fine, but noticed you still need to force the gate closed.

There is definitely some damage to the tailgate. And it seems that ANY weight on it causes the issue. So now I’m wondering if a MoRyde would fix the current issue. Or if I need a new tailgate + a MoRyde. I know the tailgates that you can order on Extreme Terrain, etc. are not the best. But I’m also wondering with the shittier quality gate and the MoRyde, if that’d be ok.

Photos below:

 

[macleanflood]

Your spare tire is way to far from the tailgate and doesn't have any contact with the snubbers that would help stabilize it.

Moryde would help...but if I could do it over again I'd consider aluminum hinges from Texas Jeep Products or Fluxor's hinges and spare tire carrier.

-Mac

 

[DakotaTJ]

Sorry. That’s the wrong photo. Editing post now…..

 

[inkedrose]

It's hard to tell from the photos but the tail gate can be adjusted from the hinges. I'd start there

 

[macleanflood]

Sorry. That’s the wrong photo. Editing post now…..

Much better!

-Mac

 

[Rickyd]

@NashvilleTJ did a good job straightening his tailgate. Check out his thread. Alternately I'd get one of the same color from a jeep dismantler. I wouldn't get a thin metal chinese one and pay to have it painted

 

[NashvilleTJ]

@NashvilleTJ did a good job straightening his tailgate. Check out his thread. Alternately I'd get one of the same color from a jeep dismantler. I wouldn't get a thin metal chinese one and pay to have it painted

I also reinforced the top lip, to help keep it from happening again.

 

[DakotaTJ]

Thanks guys. Should add that this tailgate was hit in a parking lot at some point. So there's a slight bend at the top latch side.

It closes fine with the tire off though.

 

[MikekiM]

I had the Spartacus HD tire carrier... emphasis on "had". The setup moves the tire farther from the tailgate which increase the leverage on the hinges.. the exact opposite of what you want.

My thoughts... start with a replacement tailgate, ditch the Spartacus for something that will draw the tire in tight against the tailgate. Maybe add the MoRyde hinges. If you're going for a larger wheel/tire combo, the MoRyde system would be worth it.

 

[Intimnasc]

I have the moryde installed by original owner and it is pretty solid. I do like how it reenforces the hinges.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

The thing about reinforcing the tailgate is it will transfer the impact energy to the tub. I wouldn't do it again unless I was also reinforcing the tub (like with corner armour).

 

[macleanflood]

I was also reinforcing the tub (like with corner armour).

And the valence panel under the tailgate. Do that before you crush in both of your torque boxes. Ask me how I know.

I like the Moryde but it's ungodly heavy. Probably adds 50 to 75 lbs of weight to the very back of your Jeep.

I'm with Lotus...add lightness...go with aluminum.

-Mac

 

[WVJeep304]

The thing about reinforcing the tailgate is it will transfer the impact energy to the tub. I wouldn't do it again unless I was also reinforcing the tub (like with corner armour).

So what's the best move if I don't intend to run corner armor? I have planned on getting the Moryde for the last year or two, but never pulled the trigger. I'll never run bigger than a 33, but currently have the tire carrier removed. Would the stock tire carrier and a set of the hinges from TJP be a worthwhile upgrade to protect the integrity of the tailgate?

 

[macleanflood]

So what's the best move if I don't intend to run corner armor? I have planned on getting the Moryde for the last year or two, but never pulled the trigger. I'll never run bigger than a 33, but currently have the tire carrier removed. Would the stock tire carrier and a set of the hinges from TJP be a worthwhile upgrade to protect the integrity of the tailgate?

I think that would be perfect.

Combine that with properly set snubbers.

-Mac

 

[DakotaTJ]

I had the Spartacus HD tire carrier... emphasis on "had". The setup moves the tire farther from the tailgate which increase the leverage on the hinges.. the exact opposite of what you want.

My thoughts... start with a replacement tailgate, ditch the Spartacus for something that will draw the tire in tight against the tailgate. Maybe add the MoRyde hinges. If you're going for a larger wheel/tire combo, the MoRyde system would be worth it.

Should clarify that I added the Spartacus (I had one laying around) as I thought the issue on getting the tailgate closed was the spare hitting this stupid bumper. Once i added the Spartacus and the spare, same issue with closing the tailgate, but not quite as much force needed to get it to close.

I’ve only has the Spartacus on for a day and haven’t driven the jeep since bringing it home. Ordered OEM bumpers, going to install them next week along with the stock spare carrier. Going to deal with having to slam the tailgate until I figure out the best hinge replacement/fix. Sounds like that might be a set of aluminum hinges from TJP. I’ll also never go bigger than 33’s.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

So what's the best move if I don't intend to run corner armor? I have planned on getting the Moryde for the last year or two, but never pulled the trigger. I'll never run bigger than a 33, but currently have the tire carrier removed. Would the stock tire carrier and a set of the hinges from TJP be a worthwhile upgrade to protect the integrity of the tailgate?

My solution is to carry the spare inside the jeep (but I have an LJ so a bit more space).

For context, last year I came down off a ledge after underestimating how deep and steep it was, caught my spare on the way down, pushed in my tailgate which pushed in the top rails of the tub and pulled the sheet metal out on the bottom hinge. Now with a new straight tailgate I have a gap at the top, and at the bottom the gate sticks about 1/2" proud of the valance. Without the tailgate reinforcement I think the gate would have taken most if not all of the damage.

 

[DakotaTJ]

My solution is to carry the spare inside the jeep (but I have an LJ so a bit more space).

For context, last year I came down off a ledge after underestimating how deep and steep it was, caught my spare on the way down, pushed in my tailgate which pushed in the top rails of the tub and pulled the sheet metal out on the bottom hinge. Now with a new straight tailgate I have a gap at the top, and at the bottom the gate sticks about 1/2" proud of the valance. Without the tailgate reinforcement I think the gate would have taken most if not all of the damage.

I need the space for sure, plus I like the look of the spare on the back.