Tailgate Fitment

[Vitamin_C_jeep]

Quick question y’all. I recently put an 03-06 hard top on my 2000 TJ. Was looking at putting a tailgate from an 03-06 on my Jeep before I have it painted. Will it fit? Morris 4x4 site says no, but it looks like all the dimensions are exactly the same. Only difference I can see is the venting.

 

[matkal]

I believe the hinges are different. The older(?) models have a recess on the tub to accommodate a protrusion on the stamped steel hinges. My '03 is flat where the hinges attach to the tub and has cast aluminum hinges. I have a set of stamped hinges in yellow from the tailgate i have now.

 

[cryingf69]

Should fit

 

[MichaelGH]

It will fit. Just use the hinges for your year Jeep (so they fit the tub properly)…

 

[mrblaine]

I believe the hinges are different. The older(?) models have a recess on the tub to accommodate a protrusion on the stamped steel hinges. My '03 is flat where the hinges attach to the tub and has cast aluminum hinges. I have a set of stamped hinges in yellow from the tailgate i have now.

The later models have the dimple for the steel hinges. The tailgate doesn't care. I'm using one from an 05 TJ Unlimited on a 97. The latch strike on the tub may have to change since they are different.

 

[Vitamin_C_jeep]

The later models have the dimple for the steel hinges. The tailgate doesn't care. I'm using one from an 05 TJ Unlimited on a 97. The latch strike on the tub may have to change since they are different.

Wondering if I can transfer all the hardware off the old one when I install the new?

 

[mrblaine]

Wondering if I can transfer all the hardware off the old one when I install the new?

The latch and cover are different between the early and late tail gates. That's why the tub side latch strike mount has to change. The hinges will swap over and the nut plates and holes are in the same place so you can mount an early gate on the later hinges and you can use the early hinges to mount a gate to a later tub.

This is early gate, early hinges, latch strike to match on an 05 TJ Unlimited.

 

[Vitamin_C_jeep]

The latch and cover are different between the early and late tail gates. That's why the tub side latch strike mount has to change. The hinges will swap over and the nut plates and holes are in the same place so you can mount an early gate on the later hinges and you can use the early hinges to mount a gate to a later tub.

This is early gate, early hinges, latch strike to match on an 05 TJ Unlimited.
View attachment 281977

Appreciate the info! Thanks