Buckle up Buttercup, because today I’m talking about one of my favorite new mods for the Ford Bronco and Bronco Raptor: the Buckle Up Off-Road heavy-duty billet aluminum tailgate hinges. Not only am I going to tell you about them, I’m going to walk you through why they’re better than stock, how they’re built, and how to install them. These aren’t just any hinges, they’re designed to add strength, style, and versatility to your Bronco’s tailgate while opening the door to endless accessory options.
Let’s start with the build quality, because this is where these hinges shine. They’re precision-machined in Florida from 100% American-sourced 6061 billet aluminum and use 17-4 stainless steel hinge pins. Even the machines that make them are American-made. These aren’t flimsy stamped parts, these are heavy-duty, beefy hinges that can handle serious weight and off-road abuse. They’re available in either a raw aluminum finish or black. If you pick raw, you’ve got the freedom to powder coat them to match your build perfectly.
But here’s the part that makes them truly different: integrated accessory mounts. These hinges are built to work with our KJM recovery trackboard and accessories mount, and in the near future, we’ll be rolling out even more gear—jerry can holders, antennas, lights, flag holders, high lift jack mounts, tailgate steps, spare tire reinforcements, and more. This means you can easily customize your tailgate setup for whatever the day calls for, whether it is overlanding, off-roading, camping, or just looking good driving around town.
Installation is not too hard. If your Bronco is still stock, you’ll start by removing the spare tire, tailgate trim, and the factory hinges. If you’ve got a modified rig like mine, you may need to adjust a few steps, but the process is the same. The nice part? You reuse the OEM hardware, and the only special tool you need is a TP45 Torx bit. Each hinge is clearly labeled “top” or “bottom” so there’s no confusion during install, trust me, that’s a lifesaver. Alignment is key here: before tightening everything down, check your gaps and make sure the hinges swing freely without hitting the body. A buddy system is highly recommended for reinstalling the tailgate—it makes life so much easier. You can watch my video below for detailed install instructions.
One of my favorite little details? We added a special Easter egg, GPS coordinates, machined right into the hinge. You’ll have to buy a set to find out where they lead. And because I love both performance and looks, I can tell you these hinges look incredible on the Bronco. They’re noticeably stronger and bulkier than OEM, with a beautifully machined finish that just screams quality.
The whole inspiration behind these hinges came from my love of accessorizing. As a Bronco enthusiast and an off-road adventurer, I want my gear to be strong, functional, and customizable. These hinges give you the flexibility to swap accessories in minutes, so you’re never stuck with one setup. Going camping? Mount a propane tank. Heading to the dunes? Add a flag holder. Hitting the trails? Throw on recovery boards and a high lift jack. The options are endless.
If you’re ready to ditch your stock tailgate hinges and upgrade to something American-made, stronger, and way more versatile, these Buckle Up Off-Road heavy-duty billet aluminum tailgate hinges are exactly what you need.
