Another option, albeit expensive, was a new rear bumper with a bumper-mounted tire holder. The guys who did our modifications (including the 2" Mopar lift, retractable side panels, bumpers, winch, LEDs, etc. and 35's) didn't reinforce the tailgate. According to Jeep, the maximum weight without the kit is 85 pounds. 35s weigh 120 pounds. Before installation, we had a lot of play and trunk noise. More silence. I also installed an oversized tire holder, didn't change the brake light, used the included tire bumpers.
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