Wagon Gear Rear Cargo Storage Install

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

While anxiously awaiting my turn in line to receive one of Wagon Gear's cool tailgate storage compartments, I noticed that he was offering a few of his 80 series prototypes for sale. My OCD kicked in and I talked myself into believing that I could no longer wait for the production models to arrive and that I needed this now!

After a few e-mails to Kevin a deal was made, (Which I also seized the opportunity for him to include one of his new hinge relocation sets for my ARB fridge) but only if he included a few of his Logo stickers. I think he has nailed the logo and name of his company.

Fast forward a few days. I returned home from a trip to be greeted by a heavily protected package from Kevin with some Land Cruiser love inside. The tailgate door was shipped well protected from damage. It looks like I picked it up in person, which is no small feat considering the size and weight to it.

The construction along with the hardware used are both top notch. The seams/gaps are matched and aligned well. The door is well constructed with a full length hinge. The wrinkle finish appears to be durable. The supplied hardware consists of stainless button head bolts and washers. The nuts feature a locking ring fixed at the base. The rubber weatherstripping is nicely matched in size and also fits well complementing the overall quality of the product.

The package also included a cardboard template for proper positioning and cutting of the door.

I know we all like pictures, so I'll shut up and post some.

Detail of the finish and template.

Hinge relocation kit along with the supplied hardware. Can't forget the stickers...

Door detail.

Latch detail.

Overall door awaiting installation. Kevin recommends the use of a plasma cutter for the cuts.

The virgin tailgate after being stripped of the interior carpet and before the template was placed.

It was at this point that I discovered my father had taken the correct AC plug adaptor for the plasma cutter to SoCal with him. I'll finish and post more tomorrow.

 

[NLXTACY]

SOOOOO damn jealous!!!

 

[1973Guppie]

are these plastic or metal??

 

[NLXTACY]

The ring that sits in the tailgate is steel and the door insert is plastic

 

[mot]

WHAT A TEASE!!!

Can't wait to see the finished job!

Mot

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

SOOOOO damn jealous!!!

Thanks...It's usually the other way around with your posts. I really like your jumper cables.

 

[Falco80]

Such a great idea and use of otherwise wasted space. Looks like a a very professional finish on that lid. I'd love one for my 80, but with shipping down under it might be a bit pricey!

 

[NLXTACY]

Thanks...It's usually the other way around with your posts. I really like your jumper cables.

But you one up'd me with the S/C so

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

But you one up'd me with the S/C so

Ah yes...The s/c. I may have it, but you have the OBDII controlled motor for it. It (The s/c) may be going the way of the dodo bird if I can't dial it in any better. You want it? I'm either going to sell it, trade it or buy a f'n OBD II cruiser to put the hot rodded motor and s/c in.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

The Install...

So, yesterday ended with my needing to get a 20 amp AC plug adaptor to operate the plasma cutter. After a quick trip to the hardware store, I bought the correct 20 amp wall socket came home and wired it into the wall. That was after verifying the circuit breaker was also rated at 20 amps.

I finished removing the anti-rattle foam inserts for the tailgate lock bars. There are two of these.

I also removed two of these little round rubber inserts. They would have melted and made a mess with the plasma cutter.

The tailgate ready for the cut. The template has been traced with a welders pencil.

The only cut that hurts is the first one.

Here's a test fit. All the holes line up perfect with Kevin's template. I then vacuumed and cleaned out the tailgate with Simple Green.

Here I'm using the scientific method for measuring depth. This is to illustrate how deep the tailgate is on the 80 series.

An observation for the installers out there.

In this pic you can see two support braces (In the top of the frame) or what's left of them. I had to turn up the amperage on the plasma cutter to penetrate them fully. Also be aware of the wire loom for the license plate bracket. I unclipped mine from the sheet metal, then placed a welding glove over it for protection.

Also located in the same general vicinity of those vertical cross braces are a series of a spot welds (I think three or so). They run horizontally across the tailgate from the driver's side to the passenger's side. I made a simple half circle cut around these spot welds keeping my cut pretty tight to the spot welds. If you cut "Below" the spot welds you are left to deal with half of a cross member.

 

[peepers]

those are awesome! i was just on his website checking them out. can you sit on the gate? is it still strong enough?

 

[NLXTACY]

You can sit on them no problem. Also, for those worried about the dreaded "knee in the middle of the tailgate", this pretty much solves it by making it pretty darn rigid. I got to play with them at SnT on RockDoc's 60. He has the side panels and the tailgate. Soooo in love with Kevin's work.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Yes they are very solid and I'm very pleased with them. I would not have bought them if it rendered the tailgate a storage place only. The way the lid hinges still leaves a useful space to hold items while you open the lid. I'm trying to talk him into side doors for the 80 series as well.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Those things are sweet, I wonder how long it will take me to work my way thru the waiting list so I can get one

 

[NLXTACY]

Those things are sweet, I wonder how long it will take me to work my way thru the waiting list so I can get one

Well its already been 6 months for the 80 series stuff so sit down and get comfortable. Kevin's already mentioned that the 60 stuff is still his priority

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Well its already been 6 months for the 80 series stuff so sit down and get comfortable. Kevin's already mentioned that the 60 stuff is still his priority

Oh yeah, I'm down at the bottom of the list

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Oh yeah, I'm down at the bottom of the list

You can think of yourself as being one higher, since I took a prototype.

 

[tucker74]

You can think of yourself as being one higher, since I took a prototype.

Got any finished shots? I'm on that list as well

Tucker

 

[alia176]

subscribed...drooling.....crying, lack of money....

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Part II

I spoke with Anthony at Second Skin Audio. He's an active member on IH8Mud. He seems to be a very cool guy. After our discussion, I decided to go with their Damplifier Pro line of thermal acoustic insulation.


Sound Deadening Materials for Noise Reduction from Second Skin


I bought a door kit which consists of 12 sq. ft of Damplifier Pro. I also ordered a wood roller to help with contact bubbles.

Here's how it arrived.

Anthony also included a cool little display of their entire product line. This is going to aid me greatly in future decisions of which product will work best for different applications. It's one thing to see it on line, it's a lot better to be able to hold it in our hands and study it.

A second view to illustrate the different thicknesses of the various products offered.

Now onto the final construction.


I started in the corners and worked my in from there. I used one full sized sheet in each of the corners. I peeled the backing paper about halfway off, so that the entire sheet wouldn't stick at the same time. I then used a heat gun to gain some flexibility only because it was pretty cold this morning (The directions say you do not need to use a heat gun...I'm impatient).

I then used another full sheet to span the small gap leftover by the corner pieces. This was working from the hinge side towards the lift gate side.

For the remaining top portion I cut a full size sheet into thirds and that provided enough coverage for the entire tailgate.

All that's left was a trip to try it out. Before the Damplifier Pro was added there was a "Tin" like sound coupled with rattles every time you drove the truck. After the install, I am very pleased to report that the "Tin" sound and rattles are gone.

Overall I am very pleased and impressed with the Wagon Gear products and the Second Skin products I have received. I can't wait to see what Kevin designs next.