My Tailgate Storage Project

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Dubbinchris said:
TEMPRESS 11" x 15" Slam-Latch Hatch, 7" x 11" Hatch Opening, Dark Gray | West Marine

Found these. Might be better from a reputable place. I get nervous on Ebay sometimes. West Marine always has free shipping to the store as well. West Marine has a bunch of hatch choices.

Anyone know if the 11"x15" size Jen used is the max size or just the best size to not compromise the structure of the tailgate?
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They look identical to the ones I ordered on Amazon, same brand, material, description...except $20 more. And free shipping to your door instead of having to pickup in store, but whatever works for you.

Yes, you could go larger by several inches in all directions. The reason I choose those dimensions is because I wanted them seated evenly around on the factory carpet. Just felt it looked the cleanest that way. It's easy to check how big you can/want to go, just pop off the carpet tabs and unscrew the little side access plate, and it's possible to feel around in there to tell where the latch components are as well as the internal supports.
 
Aloha Jen said:
That's funny you should mention that....last month he started to drive it to work once a week, claiming he had to drive it to feel out how the new suspension "he mostly installed" was handling. Now he is driving it a few times a week to work (presumably making more suspension test notes)! Its never been my DD, but it sure seems like he is starting to think it is his DD! Also, I used to have to "persuade" him to help me with fixes/PM on my Land Cruiser....and now a days, he says things like, "what are we doing on OUR Land Cruiser this weekend"! I am pretty sure he is trying to swipe my LC from me, but I love that he is really getting into them and seeing how awesome they are....I think he is hooked now!
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Haha I see another cruiser coming to your driveway very soon. :meh:
 
Dragos80 said:
Given the large number of armored 200's in Russia, AK's are well suited in that picture.
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I thought they familiar. Like some Russian pirate hookers I ran into once.
 
vladi80 said:
Haha I see another cruiser coming to your driveway very soon. :meh:
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I think you're right....he's already been looking at a few 60 series!
 
I would love a 5 speed 60 series!
 
Aloha Jen said:
They look identical to the ones I ordered on Amazon, same brand, material, description...except $20 more. And free shipping to your door instead of having to pickup in store, but whatever works for you.

Yes, you could go larger by several inches in all directions. The reason I choose those dimensions is because I wanted them seated evenly around on the factory carpet. Just felt it looked the cleanest that way. It's easy to check how big you can/want to go, just pop off the carpet tabs and unscrew the little side access plate, and it's possible to feel around in there to tell where the latch components are as well as the internal supports.
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The ones I linked are slightly different and are slam versions. I helps that I get a discount at West Marine and the store is very close to me. I was reading also that this brand of hatch some with some drop in liners. All of them are too deep to fit into the tailgate but I think if cut to height the outside wall of the tailgate could be used at the bottom. Something I might try down the road.
 
I have been searching for a hatch similar to these in a tan color and I am not having any luck. I wonder if they can be dyed or painted successfully. I guess I could use black hatches in my cruiser though.
 
danadog said:
I have been searching for a hatch similar to these in a tan color and I am not having any luck. I wonder if they can be dyed or painted successfully. I guess I could use black hatches in my cruiser though.
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I did try to dye mine. Originally I wanted to go allot darker to try and blend with the carpet better. I researched dying plastics at home and it seemed the best method was a powdered Rit dye and acetone solution that works on most plastics. However, when I tested it on the hatches I got it did not take the dye. I tried a bunch of different methods, but couldn't get it to work on them. You could probably paint them, but it is in such a high use area that between sitting on them, dragging stuff in/out, etc...the paint would take a pretty good beating and get scratched up allot, which may or may not matter to you. It did to me, so I just left them as is and am fine with how they match the rest of the interior.
 
Aloha Jen said:
I did try to dye mine. Originally I wanted to go allot darker to try and blend with the carpet better. I researched dying plastics at home and it seemed the best method was a powdered Rit dye and acetone solution that works on most plastics. However, when I tested it on the hatches I got it did not take the dye. I tried a bunch of different methods, but couldn't get it to work on them. You could probably paint them, but it is in such a high use area that between sitting on them, dragging stuff in/out, etc...the paint would take a pretty good beating and get scratched up allot, which may or may not matter to you. It did to me, so I just left them as is and am fine with how they match the rest of the interior.
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so i guess those of us with tan interiors are just screwed :crybaby:

or we could just get black...

or find some more hatches
 
aae42 said:
so i guess those of us with tan interiors are just screwed :crybaby:

or we could just get black...

or find some more hatches
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SEM makes plastic specific paint - Krylon Fusion is another one that works great & you can scuff up without chipping. I've used both but the SEM isn't as bombproof as the Krylon (not the norm, but Fusion is real deal).

I recolored my nephews' xbox controllers when xbox was the KOH, they still looked good either last year or 1 previous when we played games during Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. I think they were either light grey or white & he had me make them black - that Krylon was the real deal. I didn't see any chipping & he's the resident "hangout spot" house for him & his buddies. They survived however many years & him being 12-13 till just recent when girls & cars beat playing video games, he's ~17 now.

If it passes the teenager test it's pretty bombproof, I think.
 
LINUS said:
SEM makes plastic specific paint - Krylon Fusion is another one that works great & you can scuff up without chipping. I've used both but the SEM isn't as bombproof as the Krylon (not the norm, but Fusion is real deal).

I recolored my nephews' xbox controllers when xbox was the KOH, they still looked good either last year or 1 previous when we played games during Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. I think they were either light grey or white & he had me make them black - that Krylon was the real deal. I didn't see any chipping & he's the resident "hangout spot" house for him & his buddies. They survived however many years & him being 12-13 till just recent when girls & cars beat playing video games, he's ~17 now.

If it passes the teenager test it's pretty bombproof, I think.
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+1 for Krylon's product. On a related note, the environmentally friendly German vinyl/plastic paint I just used on my ride is compleat crap. Paint is already flaking off in the areas that see any kind of wear.
 
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