80 Series Installation Instructions

[kevinmrowland]

I finally have a set of instructions for the 80s!

Worked my way around to a semi local 80 series tailgate sale (I'm in the wrong part of the country for this stuff) so my friend Rami drove up here last weekend to let me cut a hole in his LX. (what a guy)


I've put the pics in a web page and linked them off the tailgate page on my site, lets see if I can img link them here:

 

[kevinmrowland]

Hmmm, not quite what I had in mind, a bit small wouldn't you say. ;p

I'll see if I can sort that out.
But in the mean-time, let me know if you have any questions about the instructions, or spot any glaring typos.

I'll post a few other photos:

Here you can see the lid sitting on the now cut open tailgate.
There are two things to note, the first is the subtle arc of the lid upwards.
I get a number of questions about that, think of it like a bridge or an empty flatbed trailer. I weld the frames together on a jig that has that bend to it so that when the lid gets bolted down to the tailgate, everything is in tension.

You can see the task this lid has on hand, it needs to pull Rami's bent tailgate back into shape.

Here is the same lid bolted in place, we pulled the main dent out as best we could, but notice that everything is nice and snug now. And the tailgate is nice and sturdy again.

 

[kevinmrowland]

We ran a bit short on the sound deadening, I've updated the amount needed accordingly. The center part still needs to be covered, but we took care of the harder to reach areas.

Here it is all buttoned up.

And here is Rami actively engaged in the final common step, called "Lets See What Will Fit!"

 

[kevinmrowland]

We've been outdone!
Check out DesertDudes install VIDEO.

That's right, a MOVING picture show, we're going hi-tech now.
(not hi-tech enough to figure out how to embed the video though....)

 

[PabloVTA]

WagonGear tail lid install video

YouTube - Wagongear Tailgate

 

[96r50]

 

[kevinmrowland]

There it is!
Thanks for the help guys.

 

[thestunts]

GENIUS !

Although ... how much weight could that possibly hold ? Only ask, because my short legs get tired, and I like to sit on the tailgate to rest my weary heart ....

 

[kevinmrowland]

I have really got to start a "how strong are the tailgate lids" thread.

The lids are stronger than the original tailgates.
They are built in such a way as to be able to straighten old caved in tailgates.
I can rest the ends of one (not even bolted into a tailgate) on two saw horses and stand in the middle of it.
You could probably use it as a sand ladder if you REALLY had to. You can take as many friends as you can fit and have them all jump up and down on the tailgate and it will be fine.

KR

 

[thestunts]

Sorry if it had been addressed before, but great to know !!

Time to tip the piggy bank ....

Thanks again.

I have really got to start a "how strong are the tailgate lids" thread.

The lids are stronger than the original tailgates.
They are built in such a way as to be able to straighten old caved in tailgates.
I can rest the ends of one (not even bolted into a tailgate) on two saw horses and stand in the middle of it.
You could probably use it as a sand ladder if you REALLY had to. You can take as many friends as you can fit and have them all jump up and down on the tailgate and it will be fine.

KR

 

[kevinmrowland]

I've posted that info before, but it's very hard to turn up.
It's totally my fault for not having started a tailgate lid strength thread long before now, especially considering the number of times I've been asked if they could be sat on.
Thanks for the kick-in-the-butt, I need those pretty often, I'll try to get a couple photos this evening and post up a new thread.


KR