Wilco Hitchgate drop update

[WILDHOBO]

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.

In comparison, my 37x12.5 Baja boss at tires that I ran 2 sets of, fit fine at full inflation. The mt’s are a tad bigger, but lighter.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

In comparison, my 37x12.5 Baja boss at tires that I ran 2 sets of, fit fine at full inflation. The mt’s are a tad bigger, but lighter.

Are you tryin to say yours is bigger than mine?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Are you tryin to say yours is bigger than mine?

Awesome. Hardly. It seems like 37’s became the go to size, and became small, all on the same day. It’s more and more that I find myself the only one with tiny 37’s on the trail.

 

[mtudb24]

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 got it about another inch closer to the tailgate. I'll get ya pic shortly

Sadly, I don't think you'll be able to run a 37" and have the bed fully come down without hitting the tire as my 35" contacts the tailgate (barely) but it does

 

[mtudb24]

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.

The wedge lock that goes into the reciever needed to be greased the bushings are made of some special compound and they don't need to be greased (according to the instructions anyways).

 

[JmattNYC]

The wedge lock that goes into the reciever needed to be greased the bushings are made of some special compound and they don't need to be greased (according to the instructions anyways).

Thank you! Hope to see your updates soon buddy.

 

[mtudb24]

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.

Thank you very much. The center cap inserts that came this time with the rim I bought, had a cap with a "Q" engraved into it. But when I purchased the black center cap (because that is what I have on the truck), it came with the "rounded" but smooth with no "Q" engraved it in just like the original ones i bought 5+ years ago.

The decal will attach, but you'll need a razor blade to cut a couple very small relief lines to stop them from bubbling up. Then I covered the cuts with clear nail polish to seal them from pealing or getting water behind them.

Good luck with your build!

 

[mtudb24]

Here are some pics of it mounted and distance to tailgate and length of carrier from rear bumper. Just under 5 3/4 from tailgate and 9 1/4" overall length of carrier from the rear bumper
Here is a pic of the center cap. Its hard to get focused and you can't see them at unless your inches away from it. There is 1 in the blue and 2 in the red.

I can open the tailgate enough to release the levers for the trifold to at least put things in the bed from the side instead of having to swing it down every time.

 

[Foothills_JT]

Thank you very much. The center cap inserts that came this time with the rim I bought, had a cap with a "Q" engraved into it. But when I purchased the black center cap (because that is what I have on the truck), it came with the "rounded" but smooth with no "Q" engraved it in just like the original ones i bought 5+ years ago.

The decal will attach, but you'll need a razor blade to cut a couple very small relief lines to stop them from bubbling up. Then I covered the cuts with clear nail polish to seal them from pealing or getting water behind them.

Good luck with your build!

Thank you for all the details! My wheels arrived earlier this week and also had the Q on the center caps. I was surprised since the images on the website do not show it. I was doing some searching today and may have found a suitable replacement cap that is flat. If they work out, I will add the details to one of the retro build posts along with some first pics of mine. Thanks again!

 

[mtudb24]

Thank you for all the details! My wheels arrived earlier this week and also had the Q on the center caps. I was surprised since the images on the website do not show it. I was doing some searching today and may have found a suitable replacement cap that is flat. If they work out, I will add the details to one of the retro build posts along with some first pics of mine. Thanks again!

Excellent. Look fwd to it. Thanks!

 

[mtudb24]

Got the centercap on and matching black lug nuts like my regular wheels.

Decided to do the license plate relocation bracket just to not have any unwanted run-ins with law enforcement. Shouldn't be any different then having a bike rack or something else mounted to the hitch, but didn't want to take the chance.

Made a jumper wire to plug into the 4 way flat for a LED license plate lamp so if I decide to remove it, I can without hardwiring it in.

Ordered a Vintage style licensplate to put in the original location with the old AMC colors

Still researching if I want to move the rear back up camera or not.

 

[JmattNYC]

Got the centercap on and matching black lug nuts like my regular wheels.

Decided to do the license plate relocation bracket just to not have any unwanted run-ins with law enforcement. Shouldn't be any different then having a bike rack or something else mounted to the hitch, but didn't want to take the chance.

Made a jumper wire to plug into the 4 way flat for a LED license plate lamp so if I decide to remove it, I can without hardwiring it in.

Ordered a Vintage style licensplate to put in the original location with the old AMC colors

Still researching if I want to move the rear back up camera or not.

Looking good!! How do you like it so far? For the plate lights I saw some adaptors online that plug into trailer hitch connector I believe CURT had a version.

Have you look into wolf box pro for you back up camera needs ? Stinger i believe have some good options as well

 

[mtudb24]

Looking good!! How do you like it so far? For the plate lights I saw some adaptors online that plug into trailer hitch connector I believe CURT had a version.

Have you look into wolf box pro for you back up camera needs ? Stinger i believe have some good options as well

Thank you! To be honest with you, I love it. Its solid, no rattle with the wedge lock mounting system. I have always liked the look of a spare on the back with the old Scrambler, Bronco's and some K5's and Ramchagers / Traildusters. And its now accessible if I get another tire that needs to be changed in sand or mud and I don't have to crawl under to get it and its not taking up bed space.

Yeah, the poor departure angle is made worse, but as I said, we don't rock crawl here in Michigan, so its not really a concern of mine.

I will look into that camera kit. Thanks for the info.

For the license plate light, I just got the Wilco one so it came as a package deal with the plate bracket. It actually has a rear facing red LED light that could act as a 3rd brake light if I want to connect the 1 power lead to the tailgate harness under the truck. Would also have to make a quick disconnect so its not hardwired in.

 

[JmattNYC]

Thank you! To be honest with you, I love it. Its solid, no rattle with the wedge loon ck mounting system. I have always liked the look of a spare on the back with the old Scrambler, Bronco's and some K5's and Ramchagers / Traildusters. And its now accessible if I get another tire that needs to be changed in sand or mud and I don't have to crawl under to get it and its not taking up bed space.

Yeah, the poor departure angle is made worse, but as I said, we don't rock crawl here in Michigan, so its not really a concern of mine.

I will look into that camera kit. Thanks for the info.

For the license plate light, I just got the Wilco one so it came as a package deal with the plate bracket. It actually has a rear facing red LED light that could act as a 3rd brake light if I want to connect the 1 power lead to the tailgate harness under the truck. Would also have to make a quick disconnect so its not hardwired in.

Am glad your loving it and it fits the bill perfectly. As you know i've been eying that for some time now myself. Will prob get one early next month alongside the tyger tube doors. I have finally selected my decals for my Anvil lol (This JT has been my middle identity crisis Jeep). With that said It will be very ambitous freedom oscar mike style with some retro scrambler flair to it.
Anyway iam glad your still enjoying your Jeep and looking at ways to spice it up. If you do end up wiring the light to act as 3rd brake light please do a quick update post about it for dumb dumbs like me

 

[mtudb24]

Am glad your loving it and it fits the bill perfectly. As you know i've been eying that for some time now myself. Will prob get one early next month alongside the tyger tube doors. I have finally selected my decals for my Anvil lol (This JT has been my middle identity crisis Jeep). With that said It will be very ambitous freedom oscar mike style with some retro scrambler flair to it.
Anyway iam glad your still enjoying your Jeep and looking at ways to spice it up. If you do end up wiring the light to act as 3rd brake light please do a quick update post about it for dumb dumbs like me

Can't wait to see your build. Post pics as you get the project going! Sounds exciting.

Will do on the brake light. Should be straightforward to tap into the power circuit for the current tailgate 3rd brake light. The connector is mounted about mid tailgate area under the bed at the rear.

I honest can't believe I have had this truck almost 6 years come October. I have Truck ADD syndrome, so I rarely keep a truck longer then 3 years. I get bored with the build and move on to something new. Exception would be my old 1987 K5 Jimmy, 2010 JKU Rubicon, and now the Gladiator. I can't find anything I hate about this truck which would make me want something new. HAHAHA

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