Tailgate idea for a CJ5...

Hey everyone,

Ok, so I'm coming in to work this morning, and I get behind one of these monster tow vehicles complete with 5th wheel plate and the skeletal tailgate. Then it hits me ...(No, not the truck, the idea) why not make a skeletal tailgate to hold the spare, jack, jerry cans, etc? This is much simpler than making a swing out deal and mounting that to the rear crossmember, and much cheaper than buying one. Added bonus, it's within range of my tools, skills, and funds.

But I have a couple concerns.

The biggest one is if the area where the tailgate hinges bolt to the body can handle the extra weight. I'm sure that I could reinforce the area somewhat, but I don't want to do any welding or extra drilling on the body if necessary. I may get lucky and be able to utilize some of the existing holes in the floor of the bed or on the rear crossmember, I need to check. Also, if I add support from the tailgate hinge down to the rear crossmember, this effectively keeps the body bushings from doing their job. Does anyone see this as a potential problem?

The other one is not a biggie, but could be an issue. I don't forsee needing to use the tailgate in the down position all that often. I mean jeez, how hard is it to reach over the edge to get to something? Of course, heavier items would require the tailgate to come down, but I don't see that happening too often. So other than the occasional tailgate drop for heavy items and for using it as a camping table, can anyone think of a reason to NOT do it this way?

And no, you can't have my original tailgate....

 

I'd planned on doing this once...

 

That's an M38? Should be ok if the tire isn't any larger than standard. I broke out the corners on my '73 (solid back panel) by hanging a big tire and a gas can off of a similar mount. Had to reinforce the back panel with angle iron after that.

 

I think if you go with alot of weight you should definately tie it into the rear cross member.
I do like the idea

 

I would make a seperate frame that folds down w/tailgate.

 

I think it's a cool idea to put the tire etc on a custom tailgate - sorta the best of both worlds. You would almost for sure have to beef up the body - probably would require welding. The swing out tire carrier I made mounts to the body where the body is strong enough so I've had no problems.

Could possible make the new custom tailgate hinge on the side or both sides?

Picture shows something one of the guys built recently here at the shop. Swings both ways to reduce hinge weight and open length.

 

I bent my tailgate on the trail so I removed it and welded in 1" square tubing into the opening. Of course I broke one of those off a Windrock because of body flex and a poor welding job

 

My first Jeep I had was a 1971 v6. The spare tire mount looked original to me at the time. Didn't think much about it back then but I have never seen one since. It was "T' shape. Top of the T attached to both sides of the tailgate where the chain attaches and the bottom of the T attached to the Rear cross member. Bolted on rigid, no swing out or anything. Has anyone ever seen one like this?

 

I don't mean to derail this thread. My thought I guess is that this type of carrier would have been good to modify and add jerry can holders and tools. The top of the T was a square tubing (3") and the down part of the T was thick flat stock about 5-6" wide shaped to stand out from the tail gate by a couple of inches.

 

I've neverseen one like that but, I think I like the idea. As far as hanging all that weight directly on the body by way of the existing tailgate mounting hardware, I don't think i would. Much better to let the frame bear that load IMO.

 

I think I found an idea I can use. Check http://www.zianet.com/jworman/tire.html

Very simple, and looks easy enough to build. I may just work something like this out and be done with it. Bonus, the original tailgate stays with the Jeep!

 

Thad, That is along the idea of what I had.

 

I sold one just like that except that the hinged leg was a single and not a double.
Just so that you gents know the M38 tailgate is reinforced w/ hat channels on the inside.
I have a bed extender that although has legs that mount to the drawbar I'm still a little leary w/ the stress on the upper tailgate chain mounts on the CJ's tub.

 

The upper tailgate chain mounts which is the frame that goes around the entire opening of the taigate opening is just spot welded into the tub. Stress on that area would be possible to break those spot welds and pull loose from the tub. I guess you could re-enforce that area. Maybe run some metal stock from that area and tie it into the roll bar mount under the wheel well would give alot of strength. just a thought.

 

Hmmm, you do have a point to ponder.

Thinking it through, 99% of the weight would be on the frame, with the tailgate frame/catch only supporting the weight of the tire/jerrycan/jack in a back and forth capacity. The real load on that area would only occur under fast start/stop and bouncy off road type stuff, with the normal "bumps in the road" being considered as well. If done well enough to prevent a back-and-forth (front-to-rear) "shock load" then there may never be a problem, as the unit would be basically one "solid" piece. If the thing were made sloppy enough as to be able to shift back and forth ("hammer") a lot in these conditions, then that would eventually be an issue. I think that a good design/build of this type would be sufficient without having to reinforce much, if any. In short, I'm not an engineer, nor do I play one on TV, but my spidey sense tells me that there's not quite as much stress on the catches than might first appear if the "hammering" issues are dealt with.

Also consider that the website I gave in my earlier post, the guy has had that tire carrier on since the 70's with (supposedly) no troubles. Can't 100% tell by the pictures, but it doesn't look as if it's
stretched/traumatized the catch area.

Another thing to consider is that the optional spare-tire-on-the-tailgate kit that Willys offered didn't do any additional reinforcement in the catch area, only on the tailgate sheet metal. However, they did BOLT the tailgate shut. This eliminates the "hammering" I mentioned by effectively making the whole back end one "solid" piece.

How many of you know someone with a M38 (or any Jeep) that has a rear mount spare? I'd be curious to see if the tailgate catch area is compromised.

Thanks for all the input.

 

looks like what I had in mind.

 

Holbrooks used to make one like that except it had a slotted hinge on the bottom much like the hood hinges so the whole thing could swing down or come off when not needed. A buddy of mine built one like that also. Nickmil