I wanted to use my tailgate as storage, and while WG mod is great, I wanted to be thrifty, so I made my own.
I found opening marine hatches on ebay for $38 ea, found 12 sf of sound/panel liner $25, bought a piece of .125 alum diamond plate for $5 and misc HW for $15 for a total of $121.00 for both sides.
I cut out the panels of the tailgate and sheared the alum plate to fill the void between the hatches, total time, maybe 30 minutes! Before installing the hatches, I drilled all the holes, vacuumed the debris and wiped the interior area with a good cleaner. Next I applied the liner, pretty easy and stuck really well. Installed the alum panel in the center with a small bead of sealer to stop any rattles and bolted it down nice and secure. Installed the hatches.
The alum panel makes the tailgate very solid and is the area most will stand in, though the hatches are made for boat deck traffic.
I can get my long Eastwing steel ax, Fiskers bow saw, recovery gear, spares, jumper cables and more in easily.
If you need some added storage, this was easy, affordable and works!
I also made another storage in driver 1/4 panel. I bent up some .125 alum and made a tray that I popped riveted to the 2 vertical supports. I have ABS panels, so I cut a hole and added a hinge for access. This tray holds 6 quart bottles, and could be made bigger if wanted. Cost was mu time to make as the alum was left over from the tailgate panel.
Doug
I found opening marine hatches on ebay for $38 ea, found 12 sf of sound/panel liner $25, bought a piece of .125 alum diamond plate for $5 and misc HW for $15 for a total of $121.00 for both sides.
I cut out the panels of the tailgate and sheared the alum plate to fill the void between the hatches, total time, maybe 30 minutes! Before installing the hatches, I drilled all the holes, vacuumed the debris and wiped the interior area with a good cleaner. Next I applied the liner, pretty easy and stuck really well. Installed the alum panel in the center with a small bead of sealer to stop any rattles and bolted it down nice and secure. Installed the hatches.
The alum panel makes the tailgate very solid and is the area most will stand in, though the hatches are made for boat deck traffic.
I can get my long Eastwing steel ax, Fiskers bow saw, recovery gear, spares, jumper cables and more in easily.
If you need some added storage, this was easy, affordable and works!
I also made another storage in driver 1/4 panel. I bent up some .125 alum and made a tray that I popped riveted to the 2 vertical supports. I have ABS panels, so I cut a hole and added a hinge for access. This tray holds 6 quart bottles, and could be made bigger if wanted. Cost was mu time to make as the alum was left over from the tailgate panel.
Doug
Last edited:
Spudman
