Duroflex comes to mind. And there is always the element that when money is spent, the lens changes for the buyer and the product is great - even if it isn’t.
Rugged Ridge Spartacus or MORryde Tailgate Reinforcement Kit?
- Thread starter invmgmt
- Start date
If I might offer a few points of difference between the MORryde/Exogate and the Rugged Ridge...
1. The Rugged Ridge reinforcement stops at the right side of the spare mount, which leaves half of the weight of the spare still supported by the unreinforced sheet metal of the tailgate. This isn't a problem with vertical stress, but when the Jeep hits a bump and the leverage of the spare pulls outward on the tailgate this can stress the tailgate sheet metal at the left side of the spare carrier and can lead to cracks in the tailgate. The dashed line shows where the RR reinforcement stops.
The MORryde/Exogate reinforcement extends all the way to the driver's side of the spare carrier, putting all of the weight of the spare on the reinforcement.
2. The MORryde/Exogate has zerk fittings for greasing the hinge bushings, and the hinge bushings are bronze and replaceable so in the unlikely event that the bushings wear, they can be replaced - they're hardware store items. I don't believe the RR hinge has any provision for greasing or rebuilding.
3. I don't believe the RR product has a provision for mounting accessories on it, such as a HiLift carrier. Accessories are available for the MORryde/Exogate, and the hinges are designed for easy mounting of custom accessories - I posted a few weeks ago about this jerry can carrier that's made from two off-the-shelf (pun intended) shelf brackets and a jerry can tray.
4. The MORryde/Exogate is made in the USA - Elkhart, Indiana.
EDIT: 5. The MORryde/Exogate comes with a roll-bar tie-in bracket to relieve stress on the tub at the top hinge; the RR product does not appear to include any bracket or reinforcement for the tub at that point.
1. The Rugged Ridge reinforcement stops at the right side of the spare mount, which leaves half of the weight of the spare still supported by the unreinforced sheet metal of the tailgate. This isn't a problem with vertical stress, but when the Jeep hits a bump and the leverage of the spare pulls outward on the tailgate this can stress the tailgate sheet metal at the left side of the spare carrier and can lead to cracks in the tailgate. The dashed line shows where the RR reinforcement stops.
The MORryde/Exogate reinforcement extends all the way to the driver's side of the spare carrier, putting all of the weight of the spare on the reinforcement.
2. The MORryde/Exogate has zerk fittings for greasing the hinge bushings, and the hinge bushings are bronze and replaceable so in the unlikely event that the bushings wear, they can be replaced - they're hardware store items. I don't believe the RR hinge has any provision for greasing or rebuilding.
3. I don't believe the RR product has a provision for mounting accessories on it, such as a HiLift carrier. Accessories are available for the MORryde/Exogate, and the hinges are designed for easy mounting of custom accessories - I posted a few weeks ago about this jerry can carrier that's made from two off-the-shelf (pun intended) shelf brackets and a jerry can tray.
4. The MORryde/Exogate is made in the USA - Elkhart, Indiana.
EDIT: 5. The MORryde/Exogate comes with a roll-bar tie-in bracket to relieve stress on the tub at the top hinge; the RR product does not appear to include any bracket or reinforcement for the tub at that point.
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Here is the link to Rusty's: https://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-...ys-tire-carrier-1997-2006-tj-lj-wrangler.html
KEY FEATURES:
I did look at the Exo. It looked well built, but did not seem robust enough to carry my tire and two bikes, which was a requirement.
The Rusty's does have bolts prepositioned to accommodate accessories that are planned. I know that the JK version of this already has some accessories. I would just make my own and take advantage of the mounting locations provided.
The only complaints that I have about the Rusty's is that is it expensive! And the tether that limits the swing of the gate sometimes gets in the way as you close it. Seems to only happen if you have the gate full open, so I have gotten in the habit of trying to only have the gate 95% open.
KEY FEATURES:
- Made in the USA
- Made of 3/16-inch and 1/4-inch steel
- Included inner fender braces and additional support
- Will carry up to a 40-inch tire
- One hand operation
- Adjustable tire position works with most aftermarket bumpers and wheel offsets
- Three different lug patterns available
- E-coated and Powdercoated Satin Black
I did look at the Exo. It looked well built, but did not seem robust enough to carry my tire and two bikes, which was a requirement.
The Rusty's does have bolts prepositioned to accommodate accessories that are planned. I know that the JK version of this already has some accessories. I would just make my own and take advantage of the mounting locations provided.
The only complaints that I have about the Rusty's is that is it expensive! And the tether that limits the swing of the gate sometimes gets in the way as you close it. Seems to only happen if you have the gate full open, so I have gotten in the habit of trying to only have the gate 95% open.
That is the difference between knowledge and understanding. He can copy something that he never had the original thought for or of. That is knowledge. Understanding is when you design it so you don't close the gate on a tether or put another way, you know how to make and design a hinge that doesn't need a fucking tether.
Is the Rusty's carrier a copy of some other brand? I thought I did some pretty good in-depth research and did not see another similar product that would fill my needs. I very well could have missed one though.
I have the Morryde and think it is perfect. That said if you decide you want to run the Spartacus, I have two new in the box for sale. Shipping is from Canada while the border is closed so could be costly.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/rugged-ridge-parts-for-sale.21278/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/rugged-ridge-parts-for-sale.21278/
All I can say is that outside of the theory and after a year and a half of actual use I'm very happy with the RR version with a 33" tyre attached. I see none of the issues stated above. The hinge set is very solid and combined with the upgraded carrier is far superior to the OEM hinge and carrier.
It's a valid option to the other brands and whilst I'm not a RR fan, I feel this fits my requirement for a tyre carrier. That is to carry a tyre, I have no need for other attachments.
It's a valid option to the other brands and whilst I'm not a RR fan, I feel this fits my requirement for a tyre carrier. That is to carry a tyre, I have no need for other attachments.
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OP
What did you do with the tire stubber, top right. Doesn't seem like there is a way to use it with the Spartacus.
No there isn't, the upgraded hinge appears to make the whole assembly a lot more robust. I've not had any issues with it and whilst I keep looking for issues with the tailgate so far at least, there isn't any.
Nope. But I do have a decent sense of how things work. And I did once have a tire carrier break apart on me from a similar lack of support. It took about 60k miles.
I know this thread is old but is this your contact info at MORryde and are you still selling direct? I’m interested in the reinforcement kit. Thanks again
The info in that post was for MORryde customer service who responded when I reached out to ask questions. I would suggest reaching out to him to see if they still offer best price. I saw post in different thread (maybe what did you do TJ today) where someone picked it up for what looked like great price.