interior tailgate panel

[city cruiser]

The panel on my tailgate is missing so it is just painted steel. I would like to replace it but prefer not to spend the several hundred dollars for a new panel and carpeting. I think I might buy the clips and then fabricate my own panel. Any others have ideas for doing this? the cutouts for the 14 clips seem quite complicated to recreate bit the clips themselves are reasonable. Looking for solutions or ideas. I plan to upholsterer the board myself. Thank you!

 

[OSS]

The original was just a thin piece of particle board with carpet attached. Really junky. Certainly you can do better without much trouble.

 

[grayjs]

I've seen a few options, some guys install aftermarket storage panels into the tailgate, such as from wagongear, or i've seen DIY custom ABS plastic cut to size

wagongear.com » 60 Series Tailgate Lids

 

[grayjs]

Or contact DNP here on mud, or see below ad

For Sale - DNP rear Carpet + Tailgate Brown

I am selling extra rear cargo carpet from DNP. It covers the cargo area and the back of the rear seat. It has a small Defect on the left side. There is no edging. Otherwise complete set with padding. Includes tailgate carpet as well. Brown color. BRAND NEW Located in Costa Mesa, Ca Asking...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[3_puppies]

or go even further and get storage in the tailgate

 

[LINUS]

This is a common thing in 80-land.

I have the Wagon-gear one myself, but alot of guys have done either hinged/latched storage or non-storage panels from 1/4” aluminum sheet.

I short the situation by keeping a loose ~18”x24” scrap of 1/4” AL plate in back, it has cheap-o bombcan rubber liner on the underside.

I use it for either cutting on, bridgeing the tailgate ‘gap’ sliding stuff into the back area, or even when I just car-camp the plate is either propped upright by the tire for a wind-break, or placed under a Biolite stove I run, if the ground is especially wet or dry.

Basic version available - I have the stainless latches on my 80 version:

wagongear.com » 60 Series Tailgate Lids

wagongear.com

 

[3_puppies]

I thought @TRAIL TAILOR made them also.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I thought @TRAIL TAILOR made them also.

We do @3_puppies For the 60, 80, 100 and 200. Also inner quarter storage too.

 

[LINUS]

I thought @TRAIL TAILOR made them also.

I bet some 5-odd vendors do them now, Wagongear was the early one IIRC - I personally like the plastic / floating metal plate I keep - but with the vendors now you can choose if you want metal or plastic, or you could even keep a chunk of HDPE like my AL plate for a cutting board.

Pick what material you like - I particularly like plastic because we both in relative cold climates where a AL deck would freeze your buttcheeks, and I sit on mine plenty.

Wagongear is a bit of a wait, he’s not a big vendor just a hobby/enthusiast - we had a running joke while I took some ~6mo to get mine.
But in the cold, I like the plastic on my 215# backside (sturdy, and no frozen 6 ).

HTH.

 

[brownbear]

I like the look of Trail Tailors compartments. I just don't see it being that practical for me. I find many of our cruisers have rust in the bottom edge of the tail gate and it's important to spray oil in there to keep the rust at bay.
I also like to sit on the carpet too, its a nice bench.. I'm sure someone could sit on a blanket on their lids too. My main thing is the all the oil I have sprayed in there!

 

[2mbb]

I replaced my carpet with a panel I made from "diamond plate" vinyl material. Here is a picture: FJ62 Rear Carpet Panel on Tailgate

I used thin plastic (ABS I think) as a backing, drilled holes for the OEM snaps and then glued the vinyl to the top of the plastic backing. It worked fine, for a while. Eventually the vinyl started to shrink smaller than the backing.

Eventually I purchased tailgate storage that was being offered by Wagongear: side panel storage

 

[city cruiser]

I've seen a few options, some guys install aftermarket storage panels into the tailgate, such as from wagongear, or i've seen DIY custom ABS plastic cut to size

wagongear.com » 60 Series Tailgate Lids

View attachment 2159169

That's an awesome panel. I plan to upholster mine but that s a great start. What are the clips that your used. I was tempted top buy a pre-made one just to get the holes right and make sure the clips work.

 

[Thornton Melon]

I got these clips.
APPH9081 A Plus Parts House Door Trim Panel Retainer Clips Compatible with Toyota 67771-01010, 67771-12010 Mazda 9927-40-825 Isuzu 8942264920 GM 95005064 (15pc) Amazon product ASIN B009GMZ7P6
Then a large piece of hardboard from Home Depot. Used a cardboard box to make a template. cut it out with the jigsaw.
Put a few nails in the cardboard lined up with the holes to get it all lined up. marked it on the corresponding hardboard.
Then used a metal punch corresponding to the size for the clips to sit snuggly into the hardboard. Made sure all those holes were lined up, then used the largest size punch right next to it so you can insert the clip and then move it over to it’s snug position. Then glue carpet in place (do better than me here). Line up all the clips and give it a tap with them rubber mallet.
or spend the money on the storage solutions.

 

[city cruiser]

I think this is what I need to do. Thanks for describing the process. I plan to pad it and cut and wrap an old plaid wool Pendalton blanket that I have what matches the interior. thanks again for the info!