M38 Tailgate

Anyone running one on their rig with the gas can/spare tire located in the stock position? Do you have it bolted solid or keeping it as a functional tailgate with chains? I have a M38 tailgate and can mount but no spare mount and was pondering the thought of ditching my current setup for that.

 

Didn't we have this discussion about a week ago? A member here was asking about locating a spare.

http://www.earlycj5.net/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/160126/#post-1850254

 

I didn’t get involved in the other discussion on tailgates carrying a spare.
Back 40+ years ago, I used an M38 tailgate with the heavy channel braces on the inside on my Tux, (before I swapped tubs for my rusty one). I already had the right side sagging from the weight of the spare bouncing around , so had bolts where the chain hooks went. I used an M38a-1 spare bracket (maybe same as M38?) on the right side of the gate, and carried an 8” KH rim and 235/75-15 tire. It didn’t bounce on the tailgate as bad as the RH fender corner, but it still stressed the rear body, cracking welds on the chain brackets. I ran that setup for about 2 years before the welds/sheetmetal started to fail. I wouldn’t recommend hanging a spare, or a (filled) jerry can on the tailgate. I do know of a couple local Jeeps that carry empty jerry cans for the “look”.
I do have an M38 tailgate I may use if I cut the rear panel out of an A-1 tub I have, but wouldn’t hang a spare back there.
-Donny

 

The M38 body is also reinforced where the chain plates are mounted to prevent the sheet metal from tearing when the tailgate is bolted shut with a spare and fuel mounted.