What caused my tailgate to crack?

[XCRN]

So before I go spending money on the wrong thing. Was this a lack of snubber support on the tires or a poorly reinforced tailgate? Keep in mind its a stock sized Rubicon tire, but I also had some hard hits up at Silver Lake Sand Dunes and is where I noticed it. I do not know if I should get something to extend the snubbers, better tire carrier, or one of those fancy tailgate reinforcement/hinge kits. The tailgate is like 2 years old.

 

[nk24]

Regardless of tire size, this will happen if the snubbers are not fully contacting the tire. It just happens quicker with larger tires.

Tailgate reinforcement like the Exogate/Morryde is probably overkill for stock Rubicon tires. Extend the snubbers and you should be good as long as your carrier isn’t cracked as well.
Not sure what to tell you about the tailgate itself.

 

[Chris]

Regardless of tire size, this will happen if the snubbers are not fully contacting the tire. It just happens quicker with larger tires.

Tailgate reinforcement like the Exogate/Morryde is probably overkill for stock Rubicon tires. Extend the snubbers and you should be good as long as your carrier isn’t cracked as well.
Not sure what to tell you about the tailgate itself.

X2 to all of this.

It's hard to say for sure, but I suspect this had something to do with your spare tire not being properly snug up against the tailgate. That's the only thing I can think of that would cause this.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Looks a lot like the Jeep was backed into something... the top of the tailgate looks to be pushed in/buckled, and the metal around the latch handle is distorted badly too...

 

[Gilaguy23]

The gate on my 91 is cracked the same way. It was bone stock when I bought it years ago. Best fix is to buy a real spare carrier/bumper combo.

 

[LONGJP2]

Why is the stock size tire not touching the stock snubber?

 

[nk24]

Why is the stock size tire not touching the stock snubber?

My guess would be aftermarket wheels with less backspacing.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Why is the stock size tire not touching the stock snubber?

Aftermarket wheels with less backspacing.

 

[XCRN]

Aftermarket wheels with less backspacing.

That is correct.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Stock jeep ugly alloy wheels with 235's and all the snubbers. In the 6 CJ/TJ/YJ vehicles every one had a damaged, in some form or another, tailgate, body (old CJ5) or carrier from a tire hanging off it. IMO its kinda what happens when you use a jeep in the dirt.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Stock jeep ugly alloy wheels with 235's and all the snubbers. In the 6 CJ/TJ/YJ vehicles every one had a damaged, in some form or another, tailgate, body (old CJ5) or carrier from a tire hanging off it. IMO its kinda what happens when you use a jeep in the dirt and don't take the weight off the tailgate.

Fixed that for accuracy.

 

[JMT]

Stock jeep ugly alloy wheels with 235's and all the snubbers. In the 6 CJ/TJ/YJ vehicles every one had a damaged, in some form or another, tailgate, body (old CJ5) or carrier from a tire hanging off it. IMO its kinda what happens when you use a jeep in the dirt.

Which is one reason to lose the spare tire.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Aftermarket wheels with less backspacing.

Yup. I run aftermarket wheels with less backspacing and look what it did to mine:

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Which is one reason to lose the spare tire.

Until you cut a side wall and you're far from your tow rig.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Until you cut a side wall and you're far from your tow rig.

I've heard rumors of having these people around that can help with that. I think they call them friends. I wouldn't know about that. I go everywhere alone and never ask for help, even if I need it. It builds character.......and resentment.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Which is one reason to lose the spare tire.

Thats great when home is 15 minutes away and there is cell service. Pretty pointless in 550,000 acres of wilderness and trails and no cell service.

 

[James9100]

Off topic but related…
@Jerry Bransford When your OE wheel mount cracked I’d assume it was along this edge?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Off topic but related…
@Jerry Bransford When your OE wheel mount cracked I’d assume it was along this edge?
View attachment 432744

Jerry B's cracked from the PO's ignorance. He knows better.

 

[P41n]

X2 to all of this.

It's hard to say for sure, but I suspect this had something to do with your spare tire not being properly snug up against the tailgate. That's the only thing I can think of that would cause this.

How much pressure should the tires be up against the snubbers?

 

[Chris]

How much pressure should the tires be up against the snubbers?

Snug but not overly tight. They're just supposed to keep the spare from moving around.