Anyone installed SWAG‘s drop down tailgate? I use my LJ as a mini pickup most of the time. curious if anyone has any opinions on it. Looking at the “flat back” version to cover up previous indiscriminate drilling.
Swag Off-Road Drop Down Tailgate
- Thread starter BoldlyGoing
- Start date
They look cool but they also make it much harder to reach or get into into the rear. Which is why Jeep switched to the side hinged tailgate many years ago and never went back.
I’m a general contractor. Often hauling longer-than-4’ stock and having a drop down gate would give me a spot to Put my drawings. I rarely haul anything that needs a full box like an actual pick up, but would like the option for a bit more length.
I guess what I’m saying is, I’ve settled on wanting a drop down style gate, just curious if Swag‘s is quality.
Have you also looked at Poison Spyder's drop down tailgate? The reason I like theirs more was because it has a latch on both sides of the tailgate.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FN4WRRQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FN4WRRQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20
That's the one I have. It required a lot of modifying to get it to work with an otherwise stock Jeep.
I did, but honestly I don’t care for their “tramp stamp” branding. Also not sure how much I’d like having just a single thickness of metal.
i’ll think about it
I like Rokmen, but I don’t think I’d like the “bump up“ in lieu of a mostly flat surface with the tailgate down.
What did you have to do to get it to work? Sounds like it isn't that great of a design?
YES! This is a major reason that the only poison spyder product I have is a set of rear bumper frame tie-ins, which are hidden in front of the rear bumper and too small to put their logo on. Glad to see I'm not the only one.
If that's the logo they want to have, fine, but it doesn't have to be laser cut in giant form on everything they sell.
If I were going to do a drop down gate, it would be from a CJ7.
I like the CJ-7 tailgate “JEEP,” stamp grafted to the TJ factory side hinged tailgate.
It’s the main reason why I think some gravitate towards the CJ tailgate.
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The design is simple which I don't mind. Drop down tailgates aren't very practical imho as already has been mentioned they get in the way. Especially with the LJ it's too far to reach past. That said, I have a fuel cell and spare tire in the back so it's not much more of a hardship for me since everything already is a bit of a pain to get out in the back regardless of tailgate style. It does make a nice work bench if you can't leave some of the floor clear.
What I don't like is that the holes for the hinge are positioned so the tailgate is too low which doesn't allow for it to close (and it's difficult to place new holes higher). The included trim doesn't seal the tailgate (it doesn't do anything...). The top of the tailgate is too high and doesn't allow for the hard top to close. And the soft top doesn't work either without modifying the closure bar.
I own it, I've made it work, I don't see any other tailgate I like better, so I'm keeping it until something better appears.
I don't carry a bunch of stuff in the back of my Jeep so I guess reaching over the tailgate isn't a huge issue to me. Why did you get the drop down tailgate if you don't like it and feel it isn't practical?
I grew up in Jeeps and they all had a drop down tailgate until I had a YJ and then my TJ. So I guess I am just use to it. And I like having the tailgate for a table when I stop for lunch and stuff. Makes a nice work bench also. But to each their own as it's your rig so if you want to paint it Pink and Bedazzle it knock yourself out.
Not happy to hear the bads about this product. Guess I'll have to give the SWAG option a harder look. I am not sure if I like the Rokmen tailgate or not. Will have to look at it more.
YES
Thought it was cool back in my mod collecting days and didn't realize the cons until I had it.
I don't believe the SWAG dop down kit has a latch on the passenger side and I've heard they can rattle because of that. The Rokmen and Poison Spider tailgates do provide latches on both sides although they are operated separately which can be awkward if you're carrying something and need to open the tailgate.
A few years ago when I was working on a trailer project I made a drop-down tailgate out of a YJ/early TJ tailgate plus a CJ tailgate logo skin. I wanted single handle operation so I used the TJ paddle handle and lock mechanism and put latches on both sides. The passenger side latch is operated by a bellcrank/rod setup so the single paddle handle on the drivers side opens both latches.
I ended up not using it because I wanted a flat surface when the tailgate was open so I could easily carry things that are longer than the trailer bed and the latch covers didn't provide a flat surface.
I did end up using the internal mechanism design I came up with for my Wrangler pickup tailgate; having a single handle to operate both latches is very handy when you're carrying something and need to open the tailgate. I used Toyota pickup tailgate latches on that tailgate so the floor is flat when the tailgate is open. If I were to do the drop-down TJ tailgate again I'd probably use those latches for a flat floor.
A few years ago when I was working on a trailer project I made a drop-down tailgate out of a YJ/early TJ tailgate plus a CJ tailgate logo skin. I wanted single handle operation so I used the TJ paddle handle and lock mechanism and put latches on both sides. The passenger side latch is operated by a bellcrank/rod setup so the single paddle handle on the drivers side opens both latches.
I ended up not using it because I wanted a flat surface when the tailgate was open so I could easily carry things that are longer than the trailer bed and the latch covers didn't provide a flat surface.
I did end up using the internal mechanism design I came up with for my Wrangler pickup tailgate; having a single handle to operate both latches is very handy when you're carrying something and need to open the tailgate. I used Toyota pickup tailgate latches on that tailgate so the floor is flat when the tailgate is open. If I were to do the drop-down TJ tailgate again I'd probably use those latches for a flat floor.
i kinda like the drop down.
if it'll fit that well, i might try and find me 1.
i been kicken around the drop down idea for awhile. that would be nicer than flat aluminum.
that"s just an old stock gate? the hinges need some work, but i like that.
if it'll fit that well, i might try and find me 1.
i been kicken around the drop down idea for awhile. that would be nicer than flat aluminum.
Yes, a stock CJ-7 tailgate is what you need.
cj7 just come up on FB today, but it's pretty rotten i'll have to ask for pics of the gate, thanx.
yall know if it's any heavier than what we have?...thats from way back when they used real steel.
yall know if it's any heavier than what we have?...thats from way back when they used real steel.
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