Fj40 Tail gate (2 Viewers)

[Buffchief]

This on a pre 1/79 FJ40 with ambulance doors with square corners.
Can see how a tailgate fits flush against the tub.
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Good deal. what to do about license plate light harness?

 

[Living in the Past]

I never intended to install that tailgate on that cruiser..I only did that to physically check the fact the tailgate did indeed fit flush on ambulance doors models. Would be to hard to remove the upper bracket by carefully grinding the spot wells. The install two bolts at the and cut the bolt heads off. Silver solder the threads. Grind flat and that done. Then made a square bracket to match one on the ambulance door. Weld or spot weld on. From the factory the wire for the license plate light ran thru a grommet up thru the license plate bracket. Can see the grommet ony 73 FST.

On the newer two lamp brackets there is a long welded tab that's designed to hold that wire. These tabs changed over the years. I have a bracket with a long tab which was most likely a universal fit since has the higher tabs as well. I have a few spare and not sure what years they came from. Because of the design the current ambulance doorswiring route would not work and just be in the way of the wire was just extended.

 

[cruisermatt]

I make and sell threaded backing plates to weld in behind the sill to help distribute the load.

 

[Buffchief]

I make and sell threaded backing plates to weld in behind the sill to help distribute the load.

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Nice! may be a challenge for the middle hinge access, not sure yet. Im still debating the whole set up plan. lLooks like a great idea. How much for three?

 

[OPMACHINE]

I need to add this to the list! I would love to have a functional tailgate.

 

[cruisermatt]

I need to add this to the list! I would love to have a functional tailgate.

I also make reproduction hinges

 

[cruisermatt]

Nice! may be a challenge for the middle hinge access, not sure yet. Im still debating the whole set up plan. lLooks like a great idea. How much for three?

$34 shipped

 

[Buffchief]

@Buffchief SOR sells reproductions of the original tailgate chain covers. I have a set on my 45. Tailgate - 40 & 45 Series Fold Down (Page131) - Specter Off-Road - https://www.sor.com/cat/131

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Thanks.

 

[MOTOV8R]

I also make reproduction hinges

Do you make a version that is flat so it sits flush for late models?

 

[cruisermatt]

Do you make a version that is flat so it sits flush for late models?

I don't- however if someone really wanted a set I could make it happen. They would have to be pretty patient though.

 

[Buffchief]

I make and sell threaded backing plates to weld in behind the sill to help distribute the load.

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what size are those nutserts?

 

[cruisermatt]

what size are those nutserts?

M8.

 

[Buffchief]

M8.

Thanks

 

[cruisermatt]

Thanks

Just a FYI, they are not nut-serts (rivnuts), they are PEM-insert nuts, a bit different. I would not use Riv-nuts for this application

 

[MOTOV8R]

Just a FYI, they are not nut-serts (rivnuts), they are PEM-insert nuts, a bit different. I would not use Riv-nuts for this application

The shear strength for each M8 rivnut is about 1800 lbs and there are 6 of them. The tensile strength is about 2200 lbs. I like your product and probably would have gotten them if I knew about them at the time, but I think rivnuts are fine for this application.

 

[cruisermatt]

The shear strength for each M8 rivnut is about 1800 lbs and there are 6 of them. The tensile strength is about 2200 lbs. I like your product and probably would have gotten them if I knew about them at the time, but I think rivnuts are fine for this application.

It’s not an issue of strength, it’s that they they don’t sit flush with the metal surface.

 

[RevISK]

@Buffchief

Doing research on this for some product development and curious if you've made any progress?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[Buffchief]

@Buffchief

Doing research on this for some product development and curious if you've made any progress?

Thanks,
Ian

for the drop down tail gate add on?

 

[Buffchief]

@Buffchief

Doing research on this for some product development and curious if you've made any progress?

Thanks,
Ian

I installed 8mm riv-nuts after squaring up my tailgate and creating an even gap on bottom and sides. Using the original lower three hinges after flattening out the slight bend they had originally. On later models the OEM tailgate will fit inside the side supports unlike the original sitting overlapped with rear opening sides and bottom. Riv-nuts do barely protrude above skin,1/16" or so but with a 1/16" rubber spacer makes it fit perfect. I use thin rubber on all contact points to avoid paint on paint rubbing. I went to the wrecking yard and found nice weatherstripping to go around the tailgate to close the gaps and stop the rattles. it takes some trial and error on fitting the weather strip.
-Bruce

 

[RevISK]

I installed 8mm riv-nuts after squaring up my tailgate and creating an even gap on bottom and sides. Using the original lower three hinges after flattening out the slight bend they had originally. On later models the OEM tailgate will fit inside the side supports unlike the original sitting overlapped with rear opening sides and bottom. Riv-nuts do barely protrude above skin,1/16" or so but with a 1/16" rubber spacer makes it fit perfect. I use thin rubber on all contact points to avoid paint on paint rubbing. I went to the wrecking yard and found nice weatherstripping to go around the tailgate to close the gaps and stop the rattles. it takes some trial and error on fitting the weather strip.
-Bruce

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Awesome Bruce, thanks for sharing.