Rear Tailgate Lid - Wagon Gear

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I was wondering

Trapper50cal said:
Just got my lid in yesterday...and on yesterday....those could literally be my pics you posted. My shots look identical, will post later.

Thanks Kevin!!!
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Good to know you got it. BT on here wheels(stockers at the moment and they look lost in the wheel well opening for sure) and body lift installled (sort of) Still some finishing needed. LOL Doc:cheers:
 
Scoot Jockey said:
I was wondering, can these be installed so that the lid opens the other direction?
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Scoot - in the original tech/build thread he gave pro's / con's for the direction. So the short answer is no i believe. By design it opens this way, and the screws line up, so don't think it will flip and still line up. However I don't have one yet (in line), so can't say 100% positive... someone will correct me if i'm wrong.

GL!

rob
 
sl33py said:
Scoot - in the original tech/build thread he gave pro's / con's for the direction. So the short answer is no i believe. By design it opens this way, and the screws line up, so don't think it will flip and still line up. However I don't have one yet (in line), so can't say 100% positive... someone will correct me if i'm wrong.

GL!

rob
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You're right, I tried to install mine the other way, and found it was a no-go, then realized what I was doing wrong. :doh:
 
Yup, they only fit in one way :doh:, the lid hinge direction was a design decision and I went over it in some detail in the original thread. There are a bunch of considerations that come into play, but the short of it is that once people use one, the lid direction no longer seems to be an issue.
It also makes them easier for me to make, so that means faster, which means cheaper. :D
I could make a lid hinge anyway you want. For a fee. :cheers:
 
These are nice. Reminds me of the rear floor storage compartment on the old Subaru 4x4 wagons.

Only thing I'd be concerned with is about dropping something with some weight to it while loading it. Seems like you could ding the tailgate from the inside, showing on the outside.

Looks like a great mod though, some nice storage.

Anyone have any long term use reports for us? How well it all is holding up? How strong a support the door is? Maybe line the inside with bed liner for durability and ding protection? Doors appear strong.

http://www.wagongear.com/Tailgate_Lids.html

Thanks.
 
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I never added insulation, but have always thought about it. I think maybe a layer of quiet crap on the sheet metal would probably be nice. I Wrap the heavy stuff like my snatch block in a small towel befor laying it in there and it seems to work well.

As a side note, I recently upgraded to the Stainless compression latches and they are awesome. Latch Options Really easy to use and they have a very high quality feel to them. I love how it gets the lid perfectly tight when it's closed. I also upgraded to the grip plastic and really like it as well. It'll hold a beer can from sliding at a decent slop :D

Thanks again Kevin for a quality product and unbelievable customer service :)
 
I heard these tend to expand in the sun and heat. So if you have it open in the sun and then go to close it the lid doesn't want to close because it has expanded.


Anyone else heard of this or experienced it?
 
kybishop said:
These are nice. Reminds me of the rear floor storage compartment on the old Subaru 4x4 wagons.

Only thing I'd be concerned with is about dropping something with some weight to it while loading it. Seems like you could ding the tailgate from the inside, showing on the outside.

Looks like a great mod though, some nice storage.

Anyone have any long term use reports for us? How well it all is holding up? How strong a support the door is? Maybe line the inside with bed liner for durability and ding protection? Doors appear strong.

Tailgate Lids

Thanks.
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Kevin's lid is way stronger than the stock tailgate. I dropped an H55 + split case assembly from about a 10" elevation straight onto the middle of the tailgate lid and it didn't budge. I have one of the older models with the plywood lid, but the plastic lids should be stronger. The only thing that happened was a small scuff in the paint.
 
RMP&O said:
I heard these tend to expand in the sun and heat. So if you have it open in the sun and then go to close it the lid doesn't want to close because it has expanded.


Anyone else heard of this or experienced it?
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No. I have the first one/prototype. The deck is wood, and has been in up to 110F without issues. Not sure about the plastic tailgate lids, but I have both fender panels (plastic) and they've had no issues with expansion in those temps either.

Where did you hear this and what was the circumstance?


As for strength, I have recently dragged my new Mercedes 5cyl OM617 motor as well as an H42/splitcase combo across it and they've rested briefly on it. Lots of use from that gate and the WagonGear setup actually makes the entire tailgate stronger. It is obvious when you install it why that is the case. Many stock tailgates get dented and the steel frame actually straightens everything out.
 
RMP&O said:
I heard these tend to expand in the sun and heat. So if you have it open in the sun and then go to close it the lid doesn't want to close because it has expanded.


Anyone else heard of this or experienced it?
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I would be courious who has had this experience. The lid is very thick and I can't imagine it would expand. In my experience it was a big help installing it and it pulling my dented tail gate back into shape. I stand on it all the time and I'm 225 never been a problem.
 
I heard it from a Cruiser buddy who has the kit.

He says if he leaves the lid open in summer heat and sun it will expand and then he can't get it closed. Or rather it is a real pita to close.
 
RMP&O said:
I heard these tend to expand in the sun and heat. So if you have it open in the sun and then go to close it the lid doesn't want to close because it has expanded.


Anyone else heard of this or experienced it?
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from what I remember Kevin discovered an issue where his plastic vendor gave him the wrong stuff that expanded when hot, but he replaced those lids.

I have a similar problem as mentioned, not related to the wrong plastic being used. It was a tight fit when I received it. I talked with Kevin about it and he thinks the frame may have been tweeked during shipping. He has offered to fix the problem, but I declined his offer. Too much trouble for me to remove and return it. Your friend should talk to Kevin if he is not satisfied. Kevin is great to work with.
 
RMP&O said:
I heard it from a Cruiser buddy who has the kit.

He says if he leaves the lid open in summer heat and sun it will expand and then he can't get it closed. Or rather it is a real pita to close.
Click to expand...


Ears were ringing..... :p
This was definitely an issue, been mostly worked through but it sounds like there are still a few out there, have your buddy drop me a line and we can get it fixed up easy.
It was actually a string of issues that started as 2mbb mentions. I was seriously ripped off by an unscrupulous plastic supplier, they had begun selling me non marine grade HDPE (at the marine grade price of course). The plastic definitely does expand in the sun and that is allowed for in the design, the non-marine plastic is simply not UV stable and expands A LOT in the direct sun, to the point where it will deform.
So, I had to get rid of that supplier, switched to a new place that has been great to work with but they carried a different manufacturer. The new manufacturer and I worked out the expansion rates for the new parts and I built the first few lids with an expansion gap according to those numbers, those numbers were not right. :p The gap was too tight so I adjusted the templates and it has been smooth sailing since then.

So, plastic expansion is a problem, it is allowed for in the design, but I made a few mistakes along the way (and got screwed a bit as well. :rolleyes:)
They have been good now and I've got a few lids in very hot environments.

:cheers:
KR
 
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