Tailgate weight capacity

[ZUKEYPR]

Does anyone have a clue as to how much weight the tailgate on a TJ can hold either by hardcore facts or based on what you have hanging off of it now? I'm just wondering if it can handle my stock 31" spare and two 10lb CO2 bottles. Those bottles got some weight to them.

 

[Cory]

I don't have much info, but on my 95 YJ a 33" MTR was making a mess out of my "tailgate". It sagged really bad and started cracking, with the tire on it it wouldn't even stay closed sometimes. I don't know if they stregthened the doors and/or hinges when they went to TJs.

 

[JPNGRL44]

I was told that the tailgate is not suppose to hold anymore than a stock jeep spare tire. However mine has been carrying a BFG 33X12.5 for a a few years now, and it hasn't ever had any problems. The tire carrier was bent last summer offroad, i bent it back and it still hasn't had any problems.

 

[1993yj]

I personally wouldnt put anything over stock on. Especially if you go off-road a lot. The bouncing will put a lot of stress on those hinges. My gate on my YJ had cracks in it from when it just had a 29" on it. I got a swing out tire carrier and rear bumper from Durango about 8 years back and it has held up great with my 35.

 

[Caleb]

some 95 YJs got the TJ style hinges, some had the YJ style. The TJ style is quite a bit stronger but I'd still be worried about anything larger than a 33" putting excesive wear and tear on it. Just curious, why do you need two bottles?

 

[gr8sk8]

A swing out bumper would be best if you plan on going to a larger tire down the road. There is also a reinforcement kit availabe from Outland/Smitbuilt that would take some of the stress off your hinges.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

some 95 YJs got the TJ style hinges, some had the YJ style. The TJ style is quite a bit stronger but I'd still be worried about anything larger than a 33" putting excesive wear and tear on it. Just curious, why do you need two bottles?

Well I don't necessarily need two but I have been on runs between running air tools to fix other folks repairs and having a bottle that wasn't 100% full I have run out so the second tank is more of a just in case. IF I had a grand I would say screw it to all of that and go with the Kilby compressor but then you know how the story goes. If I had a grand would I buy that or some other much needed thing.

 

[Cory]

IF I had a grand I would say screw it to all of that and go with the Kilby compressor but then you know how the story goes.

A Grand

I built my on-board engine driven York onboard air for under $300. The only thing I bought from Kilby (less than $150) was their bracket kit (included bracket, belt, and alternator 2-belt pully). I found a York junkyard compressor with Pully and clutch for $30. Then some money for hoses and connectors, etc. My rocker guards were already plumbed to hold air, so that helped.