I throw a beach towel over the tailgate for cooking. 
Let's see your tailgate carpet replacement mods
- Thread starter IdahoDoug
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nukegoat
Should have bought a Jeep
The only things I cook are head gaskets
Yes sir, that is what I need. Thank you. Holes are about 1/4" round. Anyone want to loan out a nutsert tool?
Make your own nutsert tool. It is pretty easy. I have installed a dozen or so nutserts using a homemade tool. Concept below:
DIY Homemade Rivnut Tool
Rivnuts are great. Except for the cost of the installation tool. However, a DIY tool can be made pretty darn easily. Here is what you need A bolt that fits your steel Rivnut that is about 2…
donstechnologyblog.wordpress.com
and here is the simple tool I made:
wind deflector woes
Perfect. Thanks for all the details. I suspect others have or want to reinstall too. Nice to do it the right way.
forum.ih8mud.com
I have thought a lot about this. I cook all the time on my regular ol' carpeted tailgate. The bottom of the stove does not get that hot. Spills happen occasionally. I use the foam spray carpet cleaner with the built in brush after the trip is over.
I also do a lot of sitting on the tailgate. I don't even bring chairs on almost any trip because I just sit on the tailgate to eat. I even added a cupholder on my bumper swingout for sitting on the tailgate enjoying a drink. A metal tailgate would feel extremely cold (or hot) on a lot of trips I do. Wood or plastic less so, but also less comfortable. So I am sticking with the carpet. Maybe I can start collecting carpets from people who like sitting on cold aluminum better
Off topic, but what I hate most about the tailgate situation is cooking in the rain. The hatch covers the tailgate well, but standing there you get nice drips on your head and down your back and there is no escaping it. I am going to look into a short awning just to go over the back.
I also do a lot of sitting on the tailgate. I don't even bring chairs on almost any trip because I just sit on the tailgate to eat. I even added a cupholder on my bumper swingout for sitting on the tailgate enjoying a drink. A metal tailgate would feel extremely cold (or hot) on a lot of trips I do. Wood or plastic less so, but also less comfortable. So I am sticking with the carpet. Maybe I can start collecting carpets from people who like sitting on cold aluminum better
Off topic, but what I hate most about the tailgate situation is cooking in the rain. The hatch covers the tailgate well, but standing there you get nice drips on your head and down your back and there is no escaping it. I am going to look into a short awning just to go over the back.
Azca
If there is a harder way - I will find it...
Very nice! Book matched and everything! Is that Claro or Black walnut? I don't see a lot of reds so I am guessing black.
Make your own nutsert tool. It is pretty easy. I have installed a dozen or so nutserts using a homemade tool. Concept below:
DIY Homemade Rivnut Tool
Rivnuts are great. Except for the cost of the installation tool. However, a DIY tool can be made pretty darn easily. Here is what you need A bolt that fits your steel Rivnut that is about 2…
and here is the simple tool I made:
wind deflector woes
Perfect. Thanks for all the details. I suspect others have or want to reinstall too. Nice to do it the right way.
I bought this one awhile back because I had to put a factory roof rack on a Tahoe that didn't have one from the factory (but was already drilled and had holes for the nutserts). Works great and was definitely worth it even if you just use it occasionally. If you have nutserts around you find all kinds of uses for it.
And for anyone else looking to use nutserts/ rivnuts/ rivet nuts/ whatever they may be called, here is my setup:
I happened to have a 1/4"-20 set screw which worked great in combination with the fancy handle I made. It's a simple tool and simple process to install them. I was smart enough (this time) to test it on a piece of scrap before installing them in the tailgate.
I bought a cheap multi pack nutsert set off Amazon and I'm not sure if it was them being cheap or just the nature of the beast, they tended to offset when riveted down which threw my mounting holes off so the mounting isn't as clean as I would have hoped for. Something to keep in mind.
I happened to have a 1/4"-20 set screw which worked great in combination with the fancy handle I made. It's a simple tool and simple process to install them. I was smart enough (this time) to test it on a piece of scrap before installing them in the tailgate.
I bought a cheap multi pack nutsert set off Amazon and I'm not sure if it was them being cheap or just the nature of the beast, they tended to offset when riveted down which threw my mounting holes off so the mounting isn't as clean as I would have hoped for. Something to keep in mind.
Back Bay Customs lid. If you want to sleep and cook outside like a pleb this thing is titty.
mingles
GOLD Star
^^^ This. The Back Bay Customs lid is awesome. Even better when carpeted so that dogs can jump up without slipping and warmer for sitting .
.
Here is mine....another +1 on Black Bay Customs Lid.
Nothing like sitting on carpet! Aluminum get's cold out here. Best of both worlds. Is that new factory carpet?^^^ This. The Back Bay Customs lid is awesome. Even better when carpeted so that dogs can jump up without slipping and warmer for sitting
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mudgudgeon
Resident galah
Got any more details on your friend's set up? Looks like a work of art
Your friend is quite the Craftsman with attention to detail. It's not often you see the grain of the wood perfectly lined up like He has in the lower drawers. Beautifully executed.
Property sealed hardwood will last a life time. looks like black walnut to me.
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mingles
GOLD Star
Just ran across this, and actually it is one of my boards at zbV Adventure Gear and we still make them. We did make some for Adventure Ready but only gave him the exclusive on the Tacoma Boards. The Landcruiser boards are available from us still.
Looks like Black Bay Customs stopped making the 80 series tailgate board, too bad, that is a sweet setup.Here is mine....another +1 on Black Bay Customs Lid.
mingles
GOLD Star
But..., It also looks like @Delta VS will have them back on the market soon.
Finally! Tailgate Storage! - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/finally-tailgate-storage.1002593/post-14273126
davidp14
SILVER Star
Hurrican Fab.
I wouldn't put raw chicken on it but I'd use it for just about any other cooking rask I can think of.
