License Plate Location and Tailgate Question for Ambulance Door Hardtop

[rickybobby]

Fellas,

Where do you put your license plate when you remove your hardtop and ambulance doors (and attached license plate holder)? I just bought a 78 FJ40 and when I took the top off I just zip-tied the license plate to my bumper for now. I don't like it because I like doing things right and don't like for things to look "rigged."

Also, what suggestions are there for tailgate replacement when the hardtop and ambulance doors are removed besides a bolt-in plate door from SOR etc? I thought about making some type of netting to attach across to keep my dog and things in but I would really like a drop-down tailgate or something easily removable. Anyone seen anything like that or have suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[selk78]

I had the same issue on 77 fj40, i used one of the bolts that held on the door, Then i swicthed to the plate from sor, Its the cleanest and easiest way to go that i'v found.

 

[MD11Fr8Dog]

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

I dont know if you have a reciever hitch but if so maybe you could make a slip in mount for your liscense plate......

 

[fjnaz]

On my 78 I switched out the Amby doors for a Tailgate and Hatch setup.

It wasn't too difficult.

Tailgate install required hinge mounts in the Sil, not too hard. The Tailgate latch mounting holes are real close the Amby door lower hinges. Almost overlap if I recall. So I welded 1/4" plate on the inside the rear quarter panel, so I could drill and tap the latch mount holes where they needed to be. Then I bondo'd over the old amby door lower mounts and painted up the tailgate and rear quarters.

For the Hatch I traded my Amby doors to 67azcruiser (thanks Sean) for a Hatch Door and Hatch hard top cross member. Bolted right in to my existing hard top sides. The only mods to the hard top sides are install of the striker plates and lower shock mounting points. I just used nutserts.

On the license plate, I had it mounted on the ice chest rack, like in the earlier post. I just moved it to directly underneath the ice chest rack. I run the 4+ rear rack and it just barely fits without interfereing with the tail light.

 

[rickybobby]

Anyone have any leads for a hatch door or more importantly to me a drop-down tailgate? If so please pm me if reasonably priced. Thanks

 

[Dieseler]

The license plate bracket will bolt to the abi door hinge holes...only two of the holes will lineup with the body holes but it works I do it with mine I don't have a gate yet

 

[american psycho]

bench seat

On my 78 I switched out the Amby doors for a Tailgate and Hatch setup.

is that a hiace seat in your cruiser?

 

[HelimanBD]

Hi Rickybobby,
This is how I did mine on the 1981 BJ40.
Sorry for the fuzzy images... BUT you will get the picture.
Before


After1,
You should see a one of the two 4 inch door hinge welded on drop
down tailgate. On the body above the rear bumper, is a 5 x1 inch
length plate welded at the edges with 3 mm spacer to allow the
other edge of hinge to be slotted in.
Holding the tailgate in vertical, I bent a "L" bracket and uses
the existing holes for ambulance door hinge, size 10 screw to
hold/pivot the "L" bracket.


After2,
Holding up the tailgate when drop down, uses chain (from
hardawre) cut to length. Bolted down to body on one end
while the other using "C" clip attached to tailgate.


This way the tailgate could be easily remove by unfastening the
2 "C" clips, unplug the wires to tailgate/number plate and slide
out the hinges.

Have fun viewing.

regards,
HelimanBD.

Fellas,

Where do you put your license plate when you remove your hardtop and ambulance doors (and attached license plate holder)? I just bought a 78 FJ40 and when I took the top off I just zip-tied the license plate to my bumper for now. I don't like it because I like doing things right and don't like for things to look "rigged."

Also, what suggestions are there for tailgate replacement when the hardtop and ambulance doors are removed besides a bolt-in plate door from SOR etc? I thought about making some type of netting to attach across to keep my dog and things in but I would really like a drop-down tailgate or something easily removable. Anyone seen anything like that or have suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[fjnaz]

is that a hiace seat in your cruiser?

It's a rear Heep TJ seat. Perfect width, it folds and tumbles, and it removes easily with 2 clips.

 

[rickybobby]

I like that idea diesler...i'll have to try...it's certainly better than zip-tying the license plate to the bumper like i am currently doing! thanks