Does the 100 series tailgate filler panel fit the 80?

[97 FZJ80]

I'm getting tired to things getting pinched between the bottom of the tailgate and the rear of the cargo floor. This happens almost every time I close the tailgate, since I store things in the OEM hammock net that spans the rear panels.

I did notice that the 100 series have a filler panel that prevents this pinching from happening. Anyone adapted a 100-series panel to fit an 80? I would think that the rear sill plates are similar with the 100 being a little wider.

John

 

[ace10]

damn good question.

one of our dogs got their toes stuck in the void on our 80.... eeesssshhhh that was an adventure getting him unstuck. it involved spinning him around while his jaws locked onto my forearm.

our 100 has a much better design. i'll try to take a look this weekend.

 

[97 FZJ80]

That would be great! I look forward to the info, Thanks!

John

 

[ace10]

after a reasonably thorough examination...

the answer is no, at least not without a good bit of tinkering.

here's what i found. both trim pieces (the flipper panel in the 100 and the plate on the 80 are held in place by five screws. the 80 is about 3 or 4 inches wider (in total) and the screw spacing is different. the piece on the 100 uses integrated (molded onto the panel) plugs in order to fill the square-shaped holes in the body, while the 80 uses drop-in plugs for the rectangular shaped holes in the body. also the carpet ends MUCH further from the tailgate on the 80, say maybe 1.5 or 2 inches. the flipper panel could not be mounted in such a way that it would be vertical when the tailgate was closed.

not sure if this covers it, but i know that this is not a project for me.

aaron

 

[97 FZJ80]

Thanks for info Aaron. I guess I fab something up to fill the gap!

John

 

[Jester]

I've been considering fabbing up something to fill this void myself. I spent 6 months convincing the wife that the 80 would be the ideal vehicle for her to haul our dogs to shows and agility trials. Last thing I need is a dog to get a paw caught in there. (Goodbye 80...hello minivan) Any chance one of you guys with 100s could snap a picture of the factory's solution for a little inspiration?

 

[ace10]

i can take a shot at it. our 100 was for dog stuff... we show and lure course... but it's just too nice inside. we got a liner from carbox that fits the entire rear of the rig, but it still didn't keep things nice enough. now the 80 is for dogs and dirty stuff. when we had the toe incident, it really made me rethink the rear of the 80. there's also the problem of the exposed seat receivers in the floor. they are the perfect shape to get some toes jammed in. consequently, i have acquired a full carbox liner for the 80 and it has solved the floor issues but not the tailgate gap issue.

i'm very good at these message boards, so give me a day or two to get some good pix of the flapper and i'll post back. it's a slick design, that doesn't have much substance behind it.

aaron

 

[97 FZJ80]

Any updates?