Tailgate

[Vicm]

Hello,
What do you guys think of this tailgate design. . Also I want to paint the cruiser flat green. Same as the army trucks. Any ideas you can copy this image and put the color that you like on it and let me see .
Thanks a lot .
Vic

 

[wantatlc]

not sure how it is different from a normal Fj40 tailgate?

maybe 3 hinges is best for support.
how is it going to lock closed?
eshan has/had similar tailgates https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=711201&postcount=5 not to mention you can likely find one made/used already.

 

[Ray185]

First post for me, I'm a long time reader but decided to join today and give some input for a change.

I made a heavy duty tailgate for my 40 a while ago. Made it out of 2" box section and re-located 3 out of the 4 original hinges. I just used normal barrel bolts to latch the tailgate closed and originally used chain to hold it open but then changed it to stainless cable (sleeved) when I made the box in the back. Its strong enough to sit and stand on (which is handy when storing stuff in the back.

Here's some pics.

 

[highgravity]

Shouldn't that tag say "bugga." I know you Aussies don't pronounce the "er".....haha

 

[ehsankiani]

First post for me, I'm a long time reader but decided to join today and give some input for a change.

I made a heavy duty tailgate for my 40 a while ago. Made it out of 2" box section and re-located 3 out of the 4 original hinges. I just used normal barrel bolts to latch the tailgate closed and originally used chain to hold it open but then changed it to stainless cable (sleeved) when I made the box in the back. Its strong enough to sit and stand on (which is handy when storing stuff in the back.

Here's some pics.

Very impressive indeed. One of the best "First Posts" I have seen in a while.
Ehsan

 

[Ray185]

Shouldn't that tag say "bugga." I know you Aussies don't pronounce the "er".....haha

Hey just because we cant pronounce it properly, doesnt mean we cant spell it.

Thanks for the kind words Ehsan. I'm a member of a few forums here in Aus but don't know why I've taken so long to join here. Been lurking for a couple of years. One thing I've never done on any forum is a build up thread. Have to get around to that some time.

 

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

Hey Ray, the pics of the rear quarters didnt look that bad, why did you cover them with diamond plate? BTW the tail gate looks pretty good. One thing, I bet those sliding lock latches are some rattling sum bitches.

 

[Ray185]

Hey Ray, the pics of the rear quarters didnt look that bad, why did you cover them with diamond plate? BTW the tail gate looks pretty good. One thing, I bet those sliding lock latches are some rattling sum bitches.

Yeah the quarters are/where in pretty good shape as far as rust goes. I bent the right rear out of shape a bit while climbing out of a deep narrow creek bed. The pic was after I beat the panel back into shape and painted it. When I did the damage I decided that I wanted to put the plate on the quarters not to cover up rust like most do, but to protect the body work. Now if I repeated the same drive that caused the damage it would only graze the plate and I wont have to worry about beating it back or respraying to avoid rust.

Plus it makes me horny to look at it.

You know I thought the barrel locks would annoy me too but I after making a few adjustments here and there they lock in nice and tight and dont rattle at all. Ultimately I'd like to change the latches for something else but havent figured out what will work best for the right price.

Edit: Oh and sorry Vicm, I didnt mean to sabotage your thread. Was just trying to give you ideas.

 

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

Did you seal between the steel and aluminum panel? Dissimialiar metals will corrode very quickly. If the steel and aluminum are in contact it will eat through the steel in a couple of seasons

 

[Ray185]

I used "Killrust" paint on the panels and on the inside of the plate. I also ran a bead of silastic/silicone around the edge of the mating surface to stop debris/moisture getting inbetween and promoting the rusting process. Its been on for a couple of years now and I cant see any sign of rust from inside the panels so hopefully I will be safe. I do know it wont last forever though. If it rots out I will just have to cut it into a utility.

 

[ehsankiani]

Yeah the quarters are/where in pretty good shape as far as rust goes. I bent the right rear out of shape a bit while climbing out of a deep narrow creek bed. The pic was after I beat the panel back into shape and painted it. When I did the damage I decided that I wanted to put the plate on the quarters not to cover up rust like most do, but to protect the body work. Now if I repeated the same drive that caused the damage it would only graze the plate and I wont have to worry about beating it back or respraying to avoid rust.

Plus it makes me horny to look at it.

You know I thought the barrel locks would annoy me too but I after making a few adjustments here and there they lock in nice and tight and dont rattle at all. Ultimately I'd like to change the latches for something else but havent figured out what will work best for the right price.

Edit: Oh and sorry Vicm, I didnt mean to sabotage your thread. Was just trying to give you ideas.

I can send you local made OEM latches for your tailgate if you want. I have a set spare. Email me at ehsankiani@yahoo.com if interested.
Ehsan

 

[Ray185]

Thanks Ehsan but was thinking of a latch arrangement where I could just slam the tailgate shut. One other reason I chose to make the tailgate the way I did was to get rid of the annoying rattle from the original latches. Might have to raid the latching mechanism off the 60 series I have for parts. Just have to figure out a way for it to fit up to my tailgate/frame.