Help - Tailgate Hinge Reinforcement?

This is my first Jeep project. A 1962 CJ5 going back together. I found that the tailgate hinge bolt area was reinforced with 1/4” plate inside the valance panel. Is this original? I am thinking that it was a PO repair.

 

Can you upload a pic or two?

 

That isn't anything I've seen before. Only thing I can think of, outside of something a previous owner added, is perhaps an M38A1 thing to help with the added weight of the spare tire on the tailgate but, I am not very familiar with the details of the A1. Just guessing.

Does the 1/4" plate run the entire width of the valance or is it just a plate behind each hinge?

 

Since I had it flipped upside down recently in good light; here is a picture of the the tailgate hinge area on my 1960 CJ6.
I don't think this area of my CJ has been molested in any way beyond the taillights.
In theory this arrangement should be exactly the same as your 62 CJ5.
No support whatsoever! In the cleaned and painted version, you can see the imprinting that has been left by the hinge plate after many years of tailgate abuse!

 

No tailgate on M38A1

 

Oh yea. Sorry. What am I thinking then? M38? One of them had a gate.

 

Welcome from Michigan, The People here can and are willing to help answer any questions. Good Luck

 

on MOST A1's.

 

"on MOST A1's."

???

M38A1-C has a tailgate opening, and it will perfectly fit a standard tailgate. I put one on mine, but I had to add hinges and chain loops.

 

yet another example of my stupidity

 

I have a M38 tailgate on my CJ2A. The reinforcement for the spare and Jerry can is done on the tailgate, and the tailgate was supposed to be bolted shut.

Not sure whether the hinge area was also reinforced it has been years since I had a M38.

 

The original plates were toast. I’ve made these replacements. They are 3” x 8”. Now I’m thinking that they were something the PO did and not original.

 

Whether or not they are original, reinforcement in that area seems a good idea to me especially if you intend to mount the spare on the tailgate.

 

Those are nice!!! I might make a set for when I put the hinges back on!

 

I am going put them in. Thanks all.

 

x2

 

You can't talk that way about other members, and I don't think you should talk that way about yourself.

We are all learning, all the time.