[MuddyBronco13]

i am looking into getting rid of the 82 and getting a 96 bronco and i have a question about the rear tire carrier, on both of the ones i have looked at there has been splitting at the top right corner of the tailgate, and i know that water will get in and start to rust it out, but how would i go about fixing the splitting? has anyone come across this problem, as soon as i go look at them again i will have a pic, w/ my new digital camera for x-mas :rockon but any opinions on what i could do to fix the problem???

 

[miesk5]

yo,
If it is what I have seen, it happens a lot when people (incl my bil) swing open the tire carrier wildly, or when wind catches it, or when it opens while in motion.
Here is Glenn's article on something similar (hope it's the same crack area):
http://www.lvcm.com/gvmorgon/bronco/tailgaterepair/

 

[metalhead]

All I have to say is get a fiberglass tailgate from autofab and do not put a spare tire carrier on it. The spare tire carrier is the only thing on broncos that I never cared for. As for the tailgate, bronco tailgates are junk. They have the worst design I,ve ever seen. That's why the tailgate is always the first thing to go on a bronco. If I ever needed to replace mine, I'd get a fiberglass one. Fiberglass is the way to go. It will also last forever.

 

[blueoval78]

the fiberglass one cost almost as a OEM one does. call me old fashioned but the OEM bolts right in,the fiberglass one needs some work to get the hinges and all that on it

 

[RLKBOB]

MOST of the ones I've seen with the spare tire carrier have this problem, it is very common. On mine I wire wheeled off the paint in that area, pulled it in tight and used a wire feed welder to spot weld it back together. It's nice and tight again, only took about a half to do it and best of all I did it at work.

 

[metalhead]

Almost as much as an OEM one :histerica, try $750. I thought it would be a good idea because it would last forever. I have question though, when a tailgate splits you guys said it leaks and rusts out inside, can that cause the leaks to get inside the truck and cause the floors and everything else to rust?

 

[miesk5]

Great one more damn problem to look forward to

yo stang...yeah; I learned a few thAngs w/Broncos; Never let a bro-in-law load stuff! He seems to like to swing that carrier and push stuff through the opening thereby scratching the upper part of the t'gate's panel on both the ex 78 and the 96 (twice he gouged out the paint on the 96).
A :banghead a bungee cord or some rope will help to stop the overswing.

 

[DeepSeaSnake]

the best preventative measures you can take is get the tire off it. if you insist on having a tire back there dont let it get bigger than a 31" the carrier is a horrible idea being bolted to thin sheet metal like it is. mine is trashed.

can that cause the leaks to get inside the truck and cause the floors and everything else to rust?

hell yes thats why mine is big pimpin a tarp right now, well that and a leaky sunroof...and a leaky tailgate window, but yeah its coming in through the gate itself too. Try drilling hole in the bottom of it if you find it filling with water.

 

[jersey]

i am looking into getting rid of the 82 and getting a 96 bronco and i have a question about the rear tire carrier, on both of the ones i have looked at there has been splitting at the top right corner of the tailgate, and i know that water will get in and start to rust it out, but how would i go about fixing the splitting? has anyone come across this problem, as soon as i go look at them again i will have a pic, w/ my new digital camera for x-mas :rockon but any opinions on what i could do to fix the problem???

Muddybronc,

I had the same problem on my 96 when I bought it. I bit the bullet and took it to the body shop. He clamped it back into place and re-welded it. It looks real good. You can only tell if you look on the inside of the gate and you can see a couple of extra welds-comapred to the drivers side. It has been over a year so far and no problems. Cheaper than a new gate.

 

[badblack88]

I wire wheeled off the paint in that area, pulled it in tight and used a wire feed welder to spot weld it back together

same thing here. mine's black so you can't even see the burnt paint on the outside.... :toothless