Tailgate Reinforcement options, so many to choose from, which is right?

[ed_freeman]

Hello and sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere that I've been unable to search and find.

2023 Black Diamond 4DR, 315's and 2" lift

Only a couple of months into this Bronco journey and I'm loving it. The wife might say obsessed... she might be right. I had an unidentified rear squeak and had several people point me in the direction of the tailgate itself. Since my 315's are larger and heavier than the stock Black Diamond wheels/tires, seems logical that the tailgate and spare tire itself could be a weak point in this equation. I started researching and found that there are an array of tailgate reinforcement options, all offering just about the same physical solution but the price points are all over the place. One key distinction seems to be the reinforcements that swap out the hinges themselves vs those that don't but... what's really the difference and why should I choose one over the other?

Rough Country - $90
Lepz - $359
Mabett - $399
RPM - $419.99
Red Rock - $424.99
Buckleup - $499
IAG X Brace - $649.99
Turn Offroad - $699
Ford Raptor/Carbon Fiber - $1390.

I think I'm partial to the ones in the middle like RPM/RedRock/BuckleUp that seem to closely mimic what they deliver on the BRaptor but... they all seem to be lacking in technical details and specs. Any experiential help would be most appreciated... please don't just respond with "I bought this" as that's not very helpful.

Many thanks ahead of time!

Sponsored

 

[Monster1926]

Turn off road offers a forum discount, I believe 10% off. I ordered. mine when they were running their 15% off for Labor Day. It should be delivered today. I ran into the same issues you did with the lack of information on the other ones. I was leaning towards IAG, but the reviews on turn off roads is what sold me. You would probably be ok not running a tire carrier since the stock Sasquatch tires are 315s.

 

[Tricky Mike]

I've put my Hammerbuilt through hell and it hasn't flinched, can't recommend it enough.

 

[userdude]

I just got the @Turn Offroad (sitting in a box in the garage). This was based on a video they did lifting a 4dr by the spare tire, that they probably overbuilt it (at the expense of some weight I'm sure), include new heavy duty hinges, is sturdy enough (IMO) to take some additional weight like a molle panel and extra gas can mounted, and last but not least, are a great company with excellent customer service. I've also seen one in person and they look nice and durable.

 

[Rspayde]

I've put my Hammerbuilt through hell and it hasn't flinched, can't recommend it enough.

I have put my hammer built through no hell and it has also not flinched (if that helps any)

 

[Frankie945]

I ran a cheap 60$ eBay reinforcement for over a year without any problems. Made by Hooke Road. I called it a “Home Run” because it was so cheap and served the purpose. Recently I got an awesome deal on a havoc tailgate reinforcement and I’m using it now. But no regrets on the other one I was using.

link for those on a budget

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3142935645...ZZwBHg1T_y&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[One more upgrade]

I like the Turn-off-road reinforcement; it has held up really well. Although you have many good brands listed, TURN's hinges were the deciding factor for me.

 

[contented]

The voice of experience here, I bought the Rough Country product, and learned that it takes away the ability to adjust the gaps on each side of the tailgate. That may or may not be a problem for others. I’ve looked at MANY photos with different brands of tailgate reinforcement - some the gaps are even, but many were like mine, tight on the latch side. OCD won out, I took it off and now it gathers dust in the attic. As I’ve studied these things, it appears to me that most of the ones that completely replace the hinge (more expensive and more complex install) provide a means to properly adjust the tailgate.

Originally, I reinforced the tailgate to carry extra gas when offroading in Death Valley where gas just isn’t around the next corner. Never been back there. Since then, I just fill up everyday before heading out, even in Moab. Rotopax sit in the garage. I run 35” BFG KO2 on factory Sasquatch wheels, which puts my spare in the 95 lb range, well under the tailgate’s rated capacity.

Like everything in this sport, it all depends on your specific situation and needs.

 

[Roger123]

Happy Hammerbuilt user here.

 

[Razorback]

Turn Off Road! You completely remove OEM hinges and replace with theirs. The hinges are so much larger it's almost funny until you realize you could mount anything on them without issue. The tailgate (which you can carry with one hand it's so light) mounts directly to the tailgate reinforcement. So now your tailgate isn't supporting any weight, it's all on the Turn Off Road hinges and reinforcement. After taking off the tilgate, I was shocked it held even 35's without warping. I was very pleased when I realized the tailgate would not be holding anything!

 

[Ninjak]

I run the DV8 Tire Guard and Accessory with no issues. No squeaks, and it has held up well. I run 37 Cooper Discoveries.
The nice thing about DV8's is that the guard around the tire is also lockable if you choose. I have never had an issue, but that is something that it brings as a plus in my book..

 

[Bradflowerss]

IAG all the way, this thing is amazing.

 

[Chrome_Pony]

Personally, if you're interested in an unpopular opinion, I'd save whatever money you'd spend and put it toward a bumper/tire carrier that carries the spare + more, like LOD's Destroyer. Tailgate reinforcement is too often a wallet-lightening band-aid that just adds to the overall weight the tailgate is carrying and reduces your available capacity.

Tailgate weight capacity is like towing capacity: aftermarket mods (that aren't a bumper with a tire carrier) won't increase the max weight limit. They may reinforce certain areas and spread load across the tailgate, but they still rely on the OEM hinge connection point, and sometimes even OEM hinges.

 

[Steve B]

I looked at all of the hinge replacement tire braces. I think in the long run a new bumper with a swing arm is the best bet. I am hoping to end up with the JCR Vanguard Bumper with the swing tire mount. I don't want the plastic tire carrier that Ford gave us snapping on a trail. I am keeping 35s for a while, but I hang a Trasheroo off the back full of fire wood on the way out and I also want to add a rack to the top of my tire (I have a 2 door, space is limited)

 

[cptndav]

Hello and sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere that I've been unable to search and find.

2023 Black Diamond 4DR, 315's and 2" lift

Only a couple of months into this Bronco journey and I'm loving it. The wife might say obsessed... she might be right. I had an unidentified rear squeak and had several people point me in the direction of the tailgate itself. Since my 315's are larger and heavier than the stock Black Diamond wheels/tires, seems logical that the tailgate and spare tire itself could be a weak point in this equation. I started researching and found that there are an array of tailgate reinforcement options, all offering just about the same physical solution but the price points are all over the place. One key distinction seems to be the reinforcements that swap out the hinges themselves vs those that don't but... what's really the difference and why should I choose one over the other?

Rough Country - $90
Lepz - $359
Mabett - $399
RPM - $419.99
Red Rock - $424.99
Buckleup - $499
IAG X Brace - $649.99
Turn Offroad - $699
Ford Raptor/Carbon Fiber - $1390.

I think I'm partial to the ones in the middle like RPM/RedRock/BuckleUp that seem to closely mimic what they deliver on the BRaptor but... they all seem to be lacking in technical details and specs. Any experiential help would be most appreciated... please don't just respond with "I bought this" as that's not very helpful.

Many thanks ahead of time!

Sponsored