Wilco Hitchgate drop update

[mtudb24]

No idea on how I posted this in the classified section. But it got deleted, so let me post it again with updates
Got it unboxed, got my extra Q tech retro wheel and center cap this past weekend.

Did a quick test fit using the 35" Grabber spare i had under the truck. I was going to purchase a 37" matching BFG, but not so sure now. Might just keep the 35". The tailgate opens just fine with the tire in the down position, but it contacts the tailgate by about 1" before being complete flat and open.

There are 2 holes in the receiver that sets the depth closer or farther to the bumper. This one was with it farther away. I think I could get it closer to the bumper but it might put the cotter pin that you pull to pull to lower the unit under the bumper which might be a pain to get to.

I do like the wedge lock feature which makes its 100% rattle and movement free into the trailer hitch.

Ran out of time. So will tinker with it tomorrow and install the center cap and clean the tire up and go from there.

I like it. Don't necessarily love it, but think it will serve its purpose. Don't care about losing the back up camera as I never use it anyways. Still on the fence about getting the license plate relocation bracket.

More to follow when its done.

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[JmattNYC]

No idea on how I posted this in the classified section. But it got deleted, so let me post it again with updates
Got it unboxed, got my extra Q tech retro wheel and center cap this past weekend.

Did a quick test fit using the 35" Grabber spare i had under the truck. I was going to purchase a 37" matching BFG, but not so sure now. Might just keep the 35". The tailgate opens just fine with the tire in the down position, but it contacts the tailgate by about 1" before being complete flat and open.

There are 2 holes in the receiver that sets the depth closer or farther to the bumper. This one was with it farther away. I think I could get it closer to the bumper but it might put the cotter pin that you pull to pull to lower the unit under the bumper which might be a pain to get to.

I do like the wedge lock feature which makes its 100% rattle and movement free into the trailer hitch.

Ran out of time. So will tinker with it tomorrow and install the center cap and clean the tire up and go from there.

I like it. Don't necessarily love it, but think it will serve its purpose. Don't care about losing the back up camera as I never use it anyways. Still on the fence about getting the license plate relocation bracket.

More to follow when its done.

AWESOME!! I was rooting for you to get it. Looks great and fits build. Is this the closest it gets to tailgate ? Looks great with softop,roll bar. BTW i think its 12 inch extension i believe is needed for that bolt. What tools you used ?

 

[mtudb24]

AWESOME!! I was rooting for you to get it. Looks great and fits build. Is this the closest it gets to tailgate ? Looks great with softop,roll bar. BTW i think its 12 inch extension i believe is needed for that bolt. What tools you used ?

Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

This mounting location was the furthest from the tailgate. I can go closer the tailgate / bumper the only issue is the cotter pin to pull the pin out will be located under the bumper which just makes it a tad bit more difficult to pull the pin out to drop the carrier down to the passenger side. But I'll try it tomorrow and see how it works.

The wedge lock uses a 3/4" socket and yes a 12" extension is what I used to lock it down inside the trailer hitch. No wobble and no rattle at all.

Will get more pics tomorrow with the center cap and tire cleaned up and if I can get in closer to the tailgate / bumper, I will do so.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Looking forward to seeing how close to the tailgate this can get. It’s an option. I like the pass through for the actual hitch too. I’d have to measure the height of the tailgate from ground to see if I have 37” and this may be viable. My only hesitation is it makes the rear end a foot longer. I want the spare gone from under the bed. Just doesn’t seem safe having it under there in the rocks where it can get grabbed at the worst possible time.

 

[JmattNYC]

Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

This mounting location was the furthest from the tailgate. I can go closer the tailgate / bumper the only issue is the cotter pin to pull the pin out will be located under the bumper which just makes it a tad bit more difficult to pull the pin out to drop the carrier down to the passenger side. But I'll try it tomorrow and see how it works.

The wedge lock uses a 3/4" socket and yes a 12" extension is what I used to lock it down inside the trailer hitch. No wobble and no rattle at all.

Will get more pics tomorrow with the center cap and tire cleaned up and if I can get in closer to the tailgate / bumper, I will do so.

Good thing is for your next set of new tires you can begin a 5 tire rotation much easier now. Any parts needed grease ? I know some of the swingout styles need grease.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Looking forward to seeing how close to the tailgate this can get. It’s an option. I like the pass through for the actual hitch too. I’d have to measure the height of the tailgate from ground to see if I have 37” and this may be viable. My only hesitation is it makes the rear end a foot longer. I want the spare gone from under the bed. Just doesn’t seem safe having it under there in the rocks where it can get grabbed at the worst possible time.

I’d like mine somewhere else as well, meaning not under the bed. But I don’t have or don’t want to allocate space in the bed for it. But I’m not sure this would hold up to offroading. FWIW, I’ve had my 37x12.5 under the bed since February of 2022, and I have yet to damage one offroad. I do 5 way rotations, so I get to inspect the spare every 5k miles.

 

[Foothills_JT]

Thats pretty sweet. Are your center caps flat or the same rounded ones that came on the retro wheels? I am converting to the retro wheels tomorrow and am having a hard time finding flat center caps that take a custom retro emblem/decal. I found emblems on Ebay but am hesitatnt to try them on the rounded stock cap. Truth be told, Ive seen many pics of your build and love it and using it as inspiration for my own.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

No idea on how I posted this in the classified section. But it got deleted, so let me post it again with updates
Got it unboxed, got my extra Q tech retro wheel and center cap this past weekend.

Did a quick test fit using the 35" Grabber spare i had under the truck. I was going to purchase a 37" matching BFG, but not so sure now. Might just keep the 35". The tailgate opens just fine with the tire in the down position, but it contacts the tailgate by about 1" before being complete flat and open.

There are 2 holes in the receiver that sets the depth closer or farther to the bumper. This one was with it farther away. I think I could get it closer to the bumper but it might put the cotter pin that you pull to pull to lower the unit under the bumper which might be a pain to get to.

I do like the wedge lock feature which makes its 100% rattle and movement free into the trailer hitch.

Ran out of time. So will tinker with it tomorrow and install the center cap and clean the tire up and go from there.

I like it. Don't necessarily love it, but think it will serve its purpose. Don't care about losing the back up camera as I never use it anyways. Still on the fence about getting the license plate relocation bracket.

More to follow when its done.

It looks fantastic. It gives it a cool factor. Thanks for posting.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

I’d like mine somewhere else as well, meaning not under the bed. But I don’t have or don’t want to allocate space in the bed for it. But I’m not sure this would hold up to offroading. FWIW, I’ve had my 37x12.5 under the bed since February of 2022, and I have yet to damage one offroad. I do 5 way rotations, so I get to inspect the spare every 5k miles.

Which brand is your spare tire and what modifications did you make to fit the tire. Mine is currently in the bed of the truck and I hate it there.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’d like mine somewhere else as well, meaning not under the bed. But I don’t have or don’t want to allocate space in the bed for it. But I’m not sure this would hold up to offroading. FWIW, I’ve had my 37x12.5 under the bed since February of 2022, and I have yet to damage one offroad. I do 5 way rotations, so I get to inspect the spare every 5k miles.

It just makes me super nervous being under there. I have images of peeling back the rubber from the rim on the backside before I scrape the bumper or it getting slashed getting drug over a rock.

Which brand is your spare tire and what modifications did you make to fit the tire. Mine is currently in the bed of the truck and I hate it there.

I installed a Clayton trackbar with the bend and Milestar MT 37x12.5 fits right in there. First mod I did to the Jeep. Easy install. Probably going triangulated rear eventually and that will solve the fitment issue as well.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Which brand is your spare tire and what modifications did you make to fit the tire. Mine is currently in the bed of the truck and I hate it there.

I just have. 37”x12.5 Mickey Thompson Baja boss mt. It fits without mods, other than lowering the psi a little. I think it’s at around 15psi, but I have stuff to increase pressure if I need to switch to the spare.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

I installed a Clayton trackbar with the bend and Milestar MT 37x12.5 fits right in there. First mod I did to the Jeep. Easy install. Probably going triangulated rear eventually and that will solve the fitment issue as well.
[/QUOTE]

Thank you. That is the exact spare and size I have. Did you need to air it down or do anything else to make it fit?

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

I just have. 37”x12.5 Mickey Thompson Baja boss mt. It fits without mods, other than lowering the psi a little. I think it’s at around 15psi, but I have stuff to increase pressure if I need to switch to the spare.

Awesome. Thank you!

 

[WILDHOBO]

I installed a Clayton trackbar with the bend and Milestar MT 37x12.5 fits right in there. First mod I did to the Jeep. Easy install. Probably going triangulated rear eventually and that will solve the fitment issue as well.

Thank you. That is the exact spare and size I have. Did you need to air it down or do anything else to make it fit?
[/QUOTE]
I forgot I have that same track bar. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Thank you. That is the exact spare and size I have. Did you need to air it down or do anything else to make it fit?

Nope. I keep it at 35 psi. I don’t always carry my compressor unless I’m on trail so I’d rather have it at full inflation. I can always take air out on the trail.

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