Tailgate loose even with Exogate

Is the gate where you would mount a "tramp stamp" valance reinforcement to spread out the load?
No I'm just an idiot and it's been a long night.....

Thanks for the help
Sorry for the confusion 😂

77Rt.gif
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mrblaine
I also have to decide if I want to keep drilling holes in this low mileage clean lj lol.


I feel ya there, but after all the holes I had to drill for my savvy rockers, my tub is already Swiss cheese. 🤣

I just gotta think about the best way to support that latch to keep the tub from cracking or pulling any spot welds apart. Maybe the tramp stamp support needs bridge the seam under the tailgate corner and have a backing plate behind each side of the seam?

As for adjustment, same conundrum as with the latch and snubber adjustment - needs to be tight enough to not allow enough movement to destroy things but not so tight that it destroys things just by existing. Too tight or too lose could both put a dent in the gate skin between the clamp and the support of there's not internal support. (I don't know where that hat channel runs or if there's more than one)

I've seen those toggle things on welding and brazing fixtures, but never had to buy one. Fortunately they're all over Amazon. I just bought a 4 pack for $12. I'll end up rigging up the internal stopper with stuff from the hardware store.
 
They have them at harbor freight too but I can't comment on the quality. Picked up a vertical and horizontal one today. Both the handles are bit too long to work where I would want them to. Bumper is in the way when they are unlatched enough to open the gate. They make a shorter t handle vertical on Amazon I will try. Otherwise it will need to be mounted at angle on my jeep due to the bumper.
 
That looks really nice!! The back up lights would be a nice addition. I am not running any corner armor at the moment. That is a nice setup that looks like it extends past the valance seams a bit. Savvy makes an aluminum one for their dropdown tailgate I was considering. I also considered some 3.5 to 4 inch steel flat stock.
 
That looks really nice!! The back up lights would be a nice addition. I am not running any corner armor at the moment. That is a nice setup that looks like it extends past the valance seams a bit. Savvy makes an aluminum one for their dropdown tailgate I was considering. I also considered some 3.5 to 4 inch steel flat stock.
Thanks. That is the sorta nice looking one. This is the nice one.
DSC_5821.webp
 
I've dealt with far too many single latch point issues for it to be otherwise.
How thick is that aluminum on the valance? Or how think do you think it needs to be. Mine would just be distributing a smaller load. I am thinking 3/16. 1/8 may even work really.


I will say I have been driving around with the tire off lately and can tell a big difference in how it feels over bumps.
 
So don't order that clamp I linked above. It's tiny! lol. I would maybe try this one as it's stainless steel and lockable but a little pricey.

Clamp with Locking Handle, 350 lbs. Holding Capacity ,

https://www.mcmaster.com/5128A94
With that said, the tailgate crack I have developed seems to have stemmed from closing the gate. I may have had my lower snubber adjusted out too far or latch was too tight previously which could have caused issues I am trying to fix now.. The gate is already cracked so I drilled the ends of the crack and plan to weld it up and see if it holds. The inner structure bar in the gate is not cracked. You can feel the crack spreading and see the gate flexing inward when you close it due to the tire weight. Trying to share the info for anyone following along.
 
  • Like
Reactions: freedom_in_4low
So don't order that clamp I linked above. It's tiny! lol. I would maybe try this one as it's stainless steel and lockable but a little pricey.

Clamp with Locking Handle, 350 lbs. Holding Capacity ,

https://www.mcmaster.com/5128A94
With that said, the tailgate crack I have developed seems to have stemmed from closing the gate. I may have had my lower snubber adjusted out too far or latch was too tight previously which could have caused issues I am trying to fix now.. The gate is already cracked so I drilled the ends of the crack and plan to weld it up and see if it holds. The inner structure bar in the gate is not cracked. You can feel the crack spreading and see the gate flexing inward when you close it due to the tire weight. Trying to share the info for anyone following along.
I suspect you don't know what a pricey clamp is.
 
I suspect you don't know what a pricey clamp is.
😆

It was one of the more expensive toggle clamps out there. Now all the adds that pop up on different sites keep recommending toggle clamps. I have seen quite a few toggle clamps over the past few weeks 😄
 
The ones above are near 5000 lbs and they are small.
Yes they look nice and I was wondering where you scored those nice clamps when I saw that tailgate and valance photo. The clamp envy was strong!

Those protex are about 9 inches long Maybe mount the handle on the gate vertically and the catch plate on the valance. Or mount my license plate somewhere else. The valance is 3.5 inches and I have about .75 more before the bumper gets in the way. They have a few that are a little shorter though.

Thanks for the info!
 
Yes they look nice and I was wondering where you scored those nice clamps when I saw that tailgate and valance photo. The clamp envy was strong!

Those protex are about 9 inches long Maybe mount the handle on the gate vertically and the catch plate on the valance. Or mount my license plate somewhere else. The valance is 3.5 inches and I have about .75 more before the bumper gets in the way. They have a few that are a little shorter though.

Thanks for the info!
They won't work. When I clamp them down properly, they suck the two sides of the tail gate opening together. You want nothing to do with that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Longwhitejeep
I think a screw might be missing. Or, just some of the details, aren't placed the right way. Either way, you need to solve the problem, not to get worse.