Thanksgivin' weekend meant I had to work ... and the fellas at Signature Customs didn't.
But back at it now. From the pics I got last night, it's lookin' like the tailgate's inner skin's 'bout wrapped up.
The ridge that he bent into 'er is not only sexy but it adds a whole buncha strength to boot.
And the hole is for access to the LED third brake light we're gonna French-in to the outer skin above the jeep letters. The hole will get a nice cover plate.
With the access hole all cyphered out, the internal bracin' could be completed.
Still plenty to do on it but progress is rock-solid.
And to take a break from the tailgate, they wrapped up their part of the work on the rear flares. They finished metal-workin' the welds and stripped off all the paint down to the bare aluminum.
Final mountin' will be done back at TNT Customs so they can flex 'er out and ensure tire clearance.
Sure nuf makes me look forward to springtime when we gat to shoot some paint on 'er.
So TNT Customs is gonna set up a booth tomorrow down in Denver at the 14th annual Christmas Caravan for Kids and Bob wants the Turd there for some appetizin' eye candy. But she looks kinda funny with all the vise grips holdin' 'er together.
So Bob hijacked 'er right outta the Signature Customs shop and eased 'er back to his own. And the crew made quick work of boltin' on the rear flares.
Here's the tire at full stuff. Nice fit.
And then to dress 'er up a bit for the show, they mounted the spare tire and rear bumper.
Check out how ya can see the rearview mirror over the spare tire.
And reverse lights By Gawd! Turd ain't never had no reverse lights since I've owned 'er.
So the Turd's gettin' rolled into the huge TNT stacker trailer and headin' south to Denver for public appearance #2. Should draw quite a crowd.
So TNT Customs is gonna set up a booth tomorrow down in Denver at the 14th annual Christmas Caravan for Kids and Bob wants the Turd there for some appetizin' eye candy.
Meanwhile, the tailgate has taken on a life of it's own. I need it strong but it's gotta look good to boot. Hinges were an issue. Just couldn't find anything we thought was gonna meet our needs. So they're makin' 'em.
One of the young uns that wheeled with us a long time ago drove through there the other day on his way to Alaska. He's a Blackhawk choper pilot now and just got stationed there. Wish I would've known you were in town and they could've had a beer or three with you. Heep is looking good.
Locals call it "snow bashing". Fella that breaks the trail needs big tires and lots of ponies. Others can then follow along much easier. Ain't never done such a thang but I gotta admit screamin' thru the woods at 6000 rpm with four 40's slingin' snow has it's appeal.
But the most satisfyin' part of the day for me was actually the ride back home. We ended up puttin' in 'bout 200 road miles and cruisin' home at 80 mph on I-80 with one hand on the wheel sure nuf had me grinnin' ear to ear.
Not a bad day for Wyomin' weather neither. Temps got all the way up to 40 and the wind speed was all the way down to 30.
So the Turd went back into the friendly confines of Signature Customs streetrod shop for a final push to finish the tailgate so I can close up the back. Gettin' right chilly in Wyomin' these days.
Here's the slot where the LED third brakelight will be frenched in ...
And the custom made hinges bein' fitted ...
Next are the custom fabbed brackets to accommodate fact'ry CJ tailgate cables. The ones on the tailgate are inserted into the frame and welded on both sides. The ones on the jeep are on a doubler plate for strength. Check out the shoulder on 'em for the cable ends to swivel free on.
Hinges and brackets are designed so that the tailgate can re removed in seconds with no tools. Cool stuff.
The latch to hold 'er shut was interestin'. Told 'em couldn't have nothin' on the outside of the tailgate. Gotta be mechanical ... no more remote electrical crap. And has to be opened from outside the jeep to accommodate the rear glass hatch.
So here's the mock-up of the standard claw latch. It'll be released from a rod in the fender well. Brilliant.
