Tailgate idea for a CJ5...

Not to hijack, but I am thinking of going the M38 setup route.
I have an aftermarket (JCW) tailgate that is reinforced with angle steel where the fuel can mount goes, and hat channels where the tire goes.
Since I have an aluminum JEEPBOX that takes up the entire rear area, the tailgate is already bolted shut. Only thing is the tire and fuel can might make it hard to reach into the Jeepbox. I really like the idea of mounting the spare tire on the back so as not to be a trail hazard. I like the stock look of the side mount, but caught it on a rock once, and haven't put it back on since the body/paint work.

I too would be interested in long term effects of mounting the tire on the tailgate. Not so much the lower area/hinges, but where the tailgate is bolted shut, guess as long as it is tight there would be no problem.

My aftermarket tailgate did not match up with upper latches as well as the stocker, width mainly, when I bolted it shut I had to use some washers between the tailgate latch and the body latch because of the space.