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Remove the tailgate???

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by DoubleK, Jun 15, 2004.

  1. Jun 15, 2004
    DoubleK

    DoubleK New Member

    Lubbock, TX
    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Messages:
    41
    I've been working over the tub to my '72 CJ5 for a couple of weeks and am considering removing the tailgate and just filling in the space with a peice of sheet metal welded in. I liked the looks of the tailgate as opposed to the smooth backside, but I never used it and then I could do away with the swing out tire carrier on the rear bumper and those rattling chains. Anybody else have thoughts about this?
     
  2. Jun 15, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    The solid back panel was an option in '73-5, and maybe in '72. All the Intermediate Renegades came with a solid back panel. You can get the replacement panels; they are the same as the back panel for the M38A1 I believe. There is also a stock center mounted spare tire carrier that came with the solid back panel.
     
  3. Jun 15, 2004
    Project71-5

    Project71-5 BACON

    Gypsum, CO
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2002
    Messages:
    897
    I removed mine and and put in two pieces of 1x1x1/16, one at the top of the tub and one in the middle of the tailgate opening. For now its like that but I do plan on eventually plan on getting a full diamond plate wrap ;)
     
  4. Jun 16, 2004
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    My 'glass tub on my '71 has no tailgate. I often wish it had one.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2004
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    My 'gate was bolted shut for years. And before I had kids, it was no big deal. Then I had to put in a backseat. Then I needed every possible square inch of storage space, so put chains back on and made the 'gate functional.

    I was able to store most of the parts of the hi-lift jack, a couple quarts of oil, a tow strap, jumper cables, and air hoses all in that space - but only because the tailgate would open.
     
  6. Jun 16, 2004
    OKJeepin

    OKJeepin New Member

    Poteau, OK.
    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2004
    Messages:
    23
    I took my old rusty tailgate off and bought a diamond plate wrap-around for $130 and put it on over the tailgate opening, 'course if you seen my Jeep, you'd see looks 'aint that important to me! Seriously it looks good, best looking thing on my Jeep really. If I had it to do over again I'd weld in a .......... oh hell, who am I kidding, I'd do the same thing. I have a '72 tailgate someone gave me that looks great, and I've thought about putting one back on my baby, but it won't help it flex or climb any better so I guess it'll just have to wait.
     
  7. Jun 16, 2004
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    I use my tailgate. When camping out of the Jeep, I let the 'gate down, supported by the chains. I put my lantern on the tailgate, my weather radio, my cocktail, etc.
     
  8. Jun 17, 2004
    SandhillMike

    SandhillMike Moderator

    Archer, Fla
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2003
    Messages:
    246
    I'm with Patrick on this. One of the things I dislike the most on my fiberglass tub on the '61 is lack of a tailgate.
     
  9. Jun 17, 2004
    DoubleK

    DoubleK New Member

    Lubbock, TX
    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Messages:
    41
    Thanks for all the feedback! My biggest complaint was the rattling tailgate which was caused by my poorly designed spare tire carrier. I think I can resolve by following the design on www.vernco.com and the other link he points to. I don't have a rear seat currently and there was a "foot locker" style tool box setting there with two 6x9 speakers mounted in the front side. Also my soft top has the sloping rear window which makes the rear seat pretty useless anyway. I'd really like to have a rear seat like Karl's (vernco), with a full width storage drawer underneath (5-6" deep) which could open either direction and some shallow speakers mounted in the front face. In the mean time no use discarding a perfectly functional tailgate and spending any spare time and $ crafting it's replacement.
     
  10. Jun 18, 2004
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Good decision.
    My old steel tub had a tailgate, and a spare carrier that bolted to the tailgate. It rattled like crazy. First mad I made was to put the chains into bicycle inner tube sections, and bolt the tailgate closed. Got rid of the rattles. Still had use of the tailgate when needed with a quick spin of a 7/16 wrench.

    Of course, that steel tub and tailgate are history.

    A good bumper/swing-out combo that carries the spare high enough to maintain departure angle is the way to go.
     
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