How Often Do You.....

I use implement pins to hold mine, and it doesn't rattle at all. There's foam weather strip around the tailgate which gives it just a little bit of outward tension and keeps everything tight..
I do agree that it's not a good solution for those who have no back seat and haul stuff in the back of the Jeep but if you don't it's much better than a swing away IMO.

 

I use mine quite often and I have to build a quick open spare tire latch because I use it often enough that it irritates me.

 

I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I do have a backseat but it is not original. I used the cast hinges like the passenger seat uses and used a Willys wagon drivers seat which I welded on the pivot rods from a doner passenger seat. I did that because it fit perfect between the fender wells and allows me to have it in if I’m taking grandkids or pull it out for the room to work or flip and fold to have it with me but still have some space in the back. It’s fairly heavy and awkward due to size so pulling it out with a rack on the back would involve more taking stuff off. A flip down would just be in the way where I would be standing to remove the seat. Flip down definitely out. A semi fixed would mean taking the unit off and on with a tire would be a pain in the neck after a while. So it’s really down to leaving it as is or a swing out. I want to keep the the factory draw bar and like the idea of not messing with the actual body. So I guess I need to study more on how to strengthen the corner there.

Norcal, I went thru your build pages. Since you worked with it a lot, any ideas on how to strengthen that end of the drawbar and make it totally reversible.

 

Mine never had a tail gate and had a solid mounted spare tire from the start (have had it for 49 years ) and will admit that sometimes it can be a pain to load things, but over all I never thought it was a big thing not to have a tail gate. But I always just used mine to carry coolers, tents, food boxs, kids, etc. So I guess it really just comes down to what you plan on carrying. To me having a solid mounted spare tire on the back was more important than the problems of loading things into the back.

Mike

 

I haven't had a tailgate on the 3B since the glass tub went on in 1975. I don't miss it. But as noted, it depends on your use. Like Mike, mine usually only hauls camping gear and that is usually in the form of two backpacks and a small cooler. I have a carpet covered platform that snaps down over the wheel houses for the canines. My spare is also solid mounted with an upper support through the tub to the roll bar. Rock solid. No rattles.
Photo from when I was still using a Jansport D3 that was too long to fit in the bed.






It also helps to have flip forward seats when not having a tailgate.

 

Love having my tailgate. Won't be bolting it shut or anything anytime soon. Going to have to reweld it or get a new one though as the previous owners bolted a spare to it and it started ripping at the latches.

 

I haven't gotten around to figuring out a spare tire mount yet, but I'll be retaining my functional tailgate. Although I did pitch the chains, and I just use a couple 3/8" Bolts through where you would put the stock hooks. I don't ever go anywhere, in any of my rigs without a basic toolkit, so grabbing a 9/16" end wrench and pulling the bolts is hardly an inconvienience.

 

I always use the tailgates especially in the 2a for hauling wood and working around the property. Dont carry a spare on either jeep and never needed one. I do carry a pump and plug kit in the 5 since its the main going to town rig. Mostly to help other people. Tailgate would certainly be less usefull if you have a back seat that doesnt easily remove or fold and tumble.