Anyone install Rough Country Tailgate Reinforcement?

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Anyone have the Rough Country Tailgate Reinforcement? How was the install? Do they provide any rubber padding or bushings to keep the reinforcement metal off of the tailgate painted surfaces (including on the hinges)? Thanks for any feedback and photos!

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[DSRTR8D]

If you like rust, you’ll LOVE Rough Country. I had RC products on my 2013 Jeep. By 2014, they were all rusting, FAST! Buyer beware.

 

[MVBB]

I installed the RC spare relocation kit (without the reinforcement). It was a powder coated steel plate that would go flush against your aluminum tailgate paint. I had some furniture felt stickers (that you'd put on the feet of couches so they slide around and not dent your floor) and I stuck about 6 to the back of the plate before install. This kept the plate about 1/4" off my tailgate, leaving enough space for water to wash between but also secured the plate on tight. I was worried about rubbing and rust. This solved both issues.

 

[BroncoKong Jr.]

If you like rust, you’ll LOVE Rough Country. I had RC products on my 2013 Jeep. By 2014, they were all rusting, FAST! Buyer beware.

moar like Rust Country amirite

 

[SIXMIL]

I had mine painted to match. Easy install. The kit comes with spacers that go between the Reinforcement bracket and the hinges. No paint on paint issues.

 

[Baddie64]

I may be way outta line here, but isn’t the primary point of failure going to be the hinge where the tail gate meets the body?
What does this really do for you?

 

[PWillette]

In theory, once the individual hinges are tied together you are increasing the strength as compared to individual hinges.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

I had mine painted to match. Easy install. The kit comes with spacers that go between the Reinforcement bracket and the hinges. No paint on paint issues.

That is rad. I have cyber orange as well and will do the same. Is that remaining black part part of the basic strengthening kit? Was the install extensive? If you don't mind...what was the brand and color # for the yellow powder coat. Thanks....it looks very nice and should solve the reported rusting issue.

 

[RainbowStix]

I may be way outta line here, but isn’t the primary point of failure going to be the hinge where the tail gate meets the body?
What does this really do for you?

Makes sense, since people are still bending their tailgates in the same spot even with a reinforcement

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

I may be way outta line here, but isn’t the primary point of failure going to be the hinge where the tail gate meets the body?
What does this really do for you?

Seems like this takes the weight off the tailgate or shares the weight with the tailgate. It "transfers" the potential for a failure point to the hinges themselves or where the hinges are mounted to the body....the right side door jam so to speak of the tailgate. It will be interesting to see with these much larger wheels and tires if we see the hinge or the hinge to body mounting point fail. ?

 

[SIXMIL]

That is rad. I have cyber orange as well and will do the same. Is that remaining black part part of the basic strengthening kit? Was the install extensive? If you don't mind...what was the brand and color # for the yellow powder coat. Thanks....it looks very nice and should solve the reported rusting issue.

Thank you, the remaining black is part of the spare tire relocation bracket from Rough Country.
Install was simple.
It's not powder coat. It's actual paint.

 

[Saltlife4shore]

Put some ppf film on the back side of the large bracket that touches the paint. The washers that were included that are used on the hinge side have surface rust. Other then that it fixed my squeaky tail gate.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Thank you, the remaining black is part of the spare tire relocation bracket from Rough Country.
Install was simple.
It's not powder coat. It's actual paint.

OK thanks. The color match looked perfect....my local paint shop can do that. Thanks!

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Mine arrived today. Off to paint next week.
QUESTION: Has anyone added lock washers to any of the bolts on the carrier portion? Or believe it is necessary? I may just use some blue Loctite.

 

[Mpali]

I had mine painted to match. Easy install. The kit comes with spacers that go between the Reinforcement bracket and the hinges. No paint on paint issues.

Hey, how is your RC tailgate reinforcement holding up? Any rust yet? Did your body shop have to sand down the powder coating before they painted? Did they use clear coat too? How much does a body shop charge for that? Did you also change the rubber tire bumps on bottom? Sorry for all the questions, I'm thinking of doing same thing to my vehicle.

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