I would like to share the process for my drop down tailgate. I have seen a few write ups but none too detailed.
Note: I realized this cannot be done with a hard top unless an external latch is done, or the stock TJ tailgate is used.
I started out with a CJ tailgate I picked up for a steal... Only $50, with a seal, hinges, and the cables. Almost everything I needed. The only catch, was some rust holes in the bottom.
I started out cleaning up the tailgate. Ground down all the rust and sanded it smooth. I'm not the best at body work and my Jeep isn't perfect already. [emoji4]
Then I primered the tailgate and hinges, followed by Rust-Oleum rattle can bed liner on the inside of the gate and flat black until I could decide on what I wanted for a top coat for the exterior.
A buddy had a piece that worked perfect for a tramp stamp. A 1/8" thick steel plate. About 36" wide and about 3.5" tall. I drilled some 3/16" holes, painted it gloss black to match the body and used pop rivots to fasten it to the tub.
I then held the tailgate, with hinges attached, in place and marked the holes to be drilled and tapped with 5/16" hex bolts with recessed heads.
Once I got the tailgate mounted, I had to measure the play in the latches on the back of the gate to make brackets that will hold it tight to the body (about a 1/2"). I used a piece of 1.5" angle iron. Cut it like a funky "L" shape. The latch could slide on it and be stopped at about 90. The bottom part of the "L" would also be drilled and tapped to hold the support cables. I fastened the bracket to the tub with 6mm Allen head bolts. I used the same 5/16" tap for the cable hole. Once I mounted the cables, I attempted to sit on the tailgate and quickly realized the body where I mounted them, wouldn't be strong enough. So I welded some 1" angle iron to it as a support and tapped that into the wheel well.
When you take the stock TJ hinges off, you will realize Jeep didn't paint there. I smoothed the area out some and painted it with some gloss Rust-Oleum. Matches close enough for me. Eventually I will make a bracket to cover the holes left.
All In all the project wasn't too hard. Just time consuming. Another option for the hinges on the tub would be to drop the tailgate and bolt through the back of the Jeep with a backing plate. I didn't want to do this, because my tank skid is rusty and I didn't want to take that project on quite yet lol.
I love the classic look and it really cleaned up the rear. I even used it as a work bench as I built parts for it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Note: I realized this cannot be done with a hard top unless an external latch is done, or the stock TJ tailgate is used.
I started out with a CJ tailgate I picked up for a steal... Only $50, with a seal, hinges, and the cables. Almost everything I needed. The only catch, was some rust holes in the bottom.
I started out cleaning up the tailgate. Ground down all the rust and sanded it smooth. I'm not the best at body work and my Jeep isn't perfect already. [emoji4]
Then I primered the tailgate and hinges, followed by Rust-Oleum rattle can bed liner on the inside of the gate and flat black until I could decide on what I wanted for a top coat for the exterior.
A buddy had a piece that worked perfect for a tramp stamp. A 1/8" thick steel plate. About 36" wide and about 3.5" tall. I drilled some 3/16" holes, painted it gloss black to match the body and used pop rivots to fasten it to the tub.
I then held the tailgate, with hinges attached, in place and marked the holes to be drilled and tapped with 5/16" hex bolts with recessed heads.
Once I got the tailgate mounted, I had to measure the play in the latches on the back of the gate to make brackets that will hold it tight to the body (about a 1/2"). I used a piece of 1.5" angle iron. Cut it like a funky "L" shape. The latch could slide on it and be stopped at about 90. The bottom part of the "L" would also be drilled and tapped to hold the support cables. I fastened the bracket to the tub with 6mm Allen head bolts. I used the same 5/16" tap for the cable hole. Once I mounted the cables, I attempted to sit on the tailgate and quickly realized the body where I mounted them, wouldn't be strong enough. So I welded some 1" angle iron to it as a support and tapped that into the wheel well.
When you take the stock TJ hinges off, you will realize Jeep didn't paint there. I smoothed the area out some and painted it with some gloss Rust-Oleum. Matches close enough for me. Eventually I will make a bracket to cover the holes left.
All In all the project wasn't too hard. Just time consuming. Another option for the hinges on the tub would be to drop the tailgate and bolt through the back of the Jeep with a backing plate. I didn't want to do this, because my tank skid is rusty and I didn't want to take that project on quite yet lol.
I love the classic look and it really cleaned up the rear. I even used it as a work bench as I built parts for it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
