Tailgate loose even with Exogate

[freedom_in_4low]

My LJ came with a 33ish tire mounted without good contact with the bottom snubber and was bouncing around the whole way home. To my surprise, even when I installed my exogate and swapped my spare and snubbers onto it, the tailgate has never been as tight as it was on my 99, which basically didn't move at all. This thing bounces when I close it, I can flex the tailgate by hand by grabbing the spare and it's only gotten worse since I put a 35 on it. Adjustments to the striker don't seem to have any effect. Shortening the snubber seemed to reduce the bouncing when I close it but didn't improve when driving. It just seems like there's slack in the latch. Is this just what happens to a latch when it gets beat on for an indeterminate time with no bottom snubber?

Those latch assemblies aren't cheap.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I think I'm missing something here. I didn't compare when I had them both, but I'm pretty sure I remember there being more rubber here on my TJ. This would also explain why I get water on the carpet when I wash it.

 

[nk24]

I think I'm missing something here. I didn't compare when I had them both, but I'm pretty sure I remember there being more rubber here on my TJ. This would also explain why I get water on the carpet when I wash it.

View attachment 257595

You’re definitely missing the seal that goes around the bottom and both sides. Fairchild makes an affordable seal that has worked well for me.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

You’re definitely missing the seal that goes around the bottom and both sides. Fairchild makes an affordable seal that has worked well for me.

I can see that seal missing being at least part of my issue. Thanks, just ordered the Fairchild one. Fortunately no more offroading planned before it arrives on Wednesday.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

You’re definitely missing the seal that goes around the bottom and both sides. Fairchild makes an affordable seal that has worked well for me.

did yours seem too long? I had to attach the bottom run with the double sided tape, then the sides, leaving the sides about 1" taller than the tailgate. I then compressed the foam part of the sides until I could get the plastic rivet thing into it's hole, but then the bottom corners were hanging down, and getting pinched and sticking out when I shut the gate.

After massaging it for a good half an hour I finally got where I could close it if I adjusted the striker outward. Hoping sitting a while like that will compress it a bit so I can gradually tighten the striker adjustment until the gate sits flush with the tub.

 

[nk24]

did yours seem too long? I had to attach the bottom run with the double sided tape, then the sides, leaving the sides about 1" taller than the tailgate. I then compressed the foam part of the sides until I could get the plastic rivet thing into it's hole, but then the bottom corners were hanging down, and getting pinched and sticking out when I shut the gate.

After massaging it for a good half an hour I finally got where I could close it if I adjusted the striker outward. Hoping sitting a while like that will compress it a bit so I can gradually tighten the striker adjustment until the gate sits flush with the tub.

Interesting, mine fit just fine.

 

[nk24]

I’d ask for a replacement. I did have a full door seal once (different brand) that was way too long. Not sure how it is possible to be that far off but it must happen.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I ordered it from amazon, so I just processed for a return and replacement. If the next one is the same way I might try the one from autozone.

At any rate, I do think the missing weatherstrip was most of the looseness I was seeing, because with the rubber in there, it's at least as tight as I remember my 99 being.

 

[jjvw]

Adding some kind of shelf to carry the tire helps a lot to stop the bouncing.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I’d ask for a replacement. I did have a full door seal once (different brand) that was way too long. Not sure how it is possible to be that far off but it must happen.

the replacement came, and fits just fine - about 3/4" shorter per side than the first one. I'm with you...don't know how it can just randomly be 1.5" too long, but I got one that fits so I'm happy.

 

[Longwhitejeep]

Did you ever fix your tailgate shaking when closing? I have a morryde reinforced get on my lj with a 35 and its actually starting to crack my tailgate near the latch. I have adjusted the snubbers tight and tried several different snubber lengths and tightness settings. Nothing seems to change the tire shaking when you close the tail gate. The Lowe snubber contacts the tire just before closing so I believe that lower snubber is snubbing correctly. My tailgate seal is newer and without the 35 my tailgate doesn't shake when closing obviously.

It seems to shake or pivot at the latch.

 

[mrblaine]

Did you ever fix your tailgate shaking when closing? I have a morryde reinforced get on my lj with a 35 and its actually starting to crack my tailgate near the hinge. I have adjusted the snubbers tight and tried several different snubber lengths and tightness settings. Nothing seems to change the tire shaking when you close the tail gate. The Lowe snubber contacts the tire just before closing so I believe that lower snubber is snubbing correctly. My tailgate seal is newer and without the 35 my tailgate doesn't shake when closing obviously.

It seems to shake or pivot at the latch.

View attachment 268406

Good luck. With a viable latch and weather strip, the adjustment between loose and rattling which tears up the gate and too tight and under too much tension that tears up the gate is very small.

 

[Longwhitejeep]

Good luck. With a viable latch and weather strip, the adjustment between loose and rattling which tears up the gate and too tight and under too much tension that tears up the gate is very small.

I have come to realize that fact after removing the tire a bunch and trying every different length of snubbers and tightness. Even adjusting the latches and strike bolt. I am running ravines so that the stock mount on the morryde needs a small spacer. Tried an aftermarket mount but that puts the tire too far away. If the latch is adjusted too far inward you have slam the gate which makes the shaking when closing more violent, too loose and it doesn't close creating other issues.

This reinforcement from morryde is highly recommended and claims to be equipped to handle a 35. I think the weak link is the factory single latch on the drivers side.

I wheel a lot with the kids otherwise I would through the tire in the back and be done with this. Might have to switch to a well built bumper mount.

 

[mrblaine]

I have come to realize that fact after removing the tire a bunch and trying every different length of snubbers and tightness. Even adjusting the latches and strike bolt. I am running ravines so that the stock mount on the morryde needs a small spacer. Tried an aftermarket mount but that puts the tire too far away. If the latch is adjusted too far inward you have slam the gate which makes the shaking when closing more violent, too loose and it doesn't close creating other issues.

This reinforcement from morryde is highly recommended and claims to be equipped to handle a 35. I think the weak link is the factory single latch on the drivers side.

I wheel a lot with the kids otherwise I would through the tire in the back and be done with this. Might have to switch to a well built bumper mount.

Our experience is identical and it shows up over time. We try to adjust so you have shut the gate with authority and with good weather strip, the gate is either flush or slightly below flush on the side. Any more tears it up, any less does the same. Way too finicky.

Not just a 35, a 35 and they say you can add 50 lbs. of cargo to that. Not in my world.

 

[Longwhitejeep]

Our experience is identical and it shows up over time. We try to adjust so you have shut the gate with authority and with good weather strip, the gate is either flush or slightly below flush on the side. Any more tears it up, any less does the same. Way too finicky.

Not just a 35, a 35 and they say you can add 50 lbs. of cargo to that. Not in my world.

Thanks for the tip. I will try and tighten the latch side up a bit then. You can slam it and see the gate flex back forth even with the reinforcement on. I can feel that crack opening and flexing when you close it. Closed you can grab the top of the tire and twist the tailgate pretty easy.

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks for the tip. I will try and tighten the latch side up a bit then. You can slam it and see the gate flex back forth even with the reinforcement on. I can feel that crack opening and flexing when you close it. Closed you can grab the top of the tire and twist the tailgate pretty easy.

The gate is ruined with no good way to fix it. The hat channel that runs side to side is likely compromised.

 

[williambmac]

Our experience is identical and it shows up over time. We try to adjust so you have shut the gate with authority and with good weather strip, the gate is either flush or slightly below flush on the side. Any more tears it up, any less does the same. Way too finicky.

Not just a 35, a 35 and they say you can add 50 lbs. of cargo to that. Not in my world.

So you wouldn't recommend the Morryde?

 

[mrblaine]

So you wouldn't recommend the Morryde?

I don't have a better answer so it is still the better solution, it just has some flaws that need to be dealt with. I suspect a latch solution for the lower corner of the gate below the existing latch would be highly beneficial. Even something as simple as a tooling over center clamp would greatly reduce the rotation around the single latch point which is what tears everything up.

 

[JMT]

My LJ came with a 33ish tire mounted without good contact with the bottom snubber and was bouncing around the whole way home. To my surprise, even when I installed my exogate and swapped my spare and snubbers onto it, the tailgate has never been as tight as it was on my 99, which basically didn't move at all. This thing bounces when I close it, I can flex the tailgate by hand by grabbing the spare and it's only gotten worse since I put a 35 on it. Adjustments to the striker don't seem to have any effect. Shortening the snubber seemed to reduce the bouncing when I close it but didn't improve when driving. It just seems like there's slack in the latch. Is this just what happens to a latch when it gets beat on for an indeterminate time with no bottom snubber?

Those latch assemblies aren't cheap.

Do a spare delete. Carry a valve replacement tool, valves, and a tire plug kit. You ain’t fixin that.

 

[williambmac]

I don't have a better answer so it is still the better solution, it just has some flaws that need to be dealt with. I suspect a latch solution for the lower corner of the gate below the existing latch would be highly beneficial. Even something as simple as a tooling over center clamp would greatly reduce the rotation around the single latch point which is what tears everything up.

I did away with my old swingout tire carrier and was looking at the Morryde as a replacement for when I carry my spare. Everyone seems to rave about them. This is the first time I have heard anyone having an issue with the setup.