Tailgates for Expedition Trailers (1 Viewer)

[Bad Mojo]

I have started tinkering with the idea of building an expedition trailer. I still need to finish the FJ40. With that in mind though, that doesn't mean I can't be picking up parts along the way. One of the parts I think that would make a really cool expedition trailer would be using an old Toyota pick-up truck tailgate. I am thinking about getting a fairly old one so the text is stamped and not painted on. Are there any recommendations for what style and year truck I should be looking for to pull? Post picks if you got them!

Thanks for your time,
Paul

 

[d0ubledown]

youll definitely want to narrow it though, if you want it to look proportionate to your 40. would be a uber cool project though. jeeps can get away with it without modification, as their gate is significantly narrower (commanche's and pickups exluded of course)

 

[Deneway]

The 1979 version was solidly stamped but just try finding a rust free one....

 

[Bad Mojo]

Cool i'll keep a look at out for that year at the junkyard. By any chance does that one come with 2 latches at the top of of the tailgate to hold it in place?

 

[Bad Mojo]

78 Tailgate

I went to the junkyard and was able to find a tailgate. The dimensions are 51.5" x 17.25". I was able to get all the mounting hardware with it which was great and here are some pics.

Front

Side Latch

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Cut the middle out to get it to the correct width for a trailer and you'd be golden.

 

[sirenmoses]

Cut the middle out to get it to the correct width for a trailer and you'd be golden.

Won't that turn TOYOTA into TO|TA ?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Well yeah, but unless he's planning on building a full width trailer then there's nothing you can do.

What size trailer are you planning on building?

 

[Bad Mojo]

I was actually planning on trimming the sides and moving the latches in about six inches on both sides. When I do that I was also going to lay in a new back piece of sheet metal. I'm thinking about keeping my wheel base the same or close to my FJ40 because if my 40 can get through a trail I want my trailer to be able to do the same. I am going to try to preserve the TOYOTA because I think it would be cool to have a trailer made from parts that are only a year younger than my 40. I don't want a huge trailer by any means so something close to a M101 or a M416, but the trailer must meet other needs/requirements first.

 

[Deneway]

Good find! Hope you got the loops on the trailer bed

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Go back and buy the rest of the truck the tailgate came from and convert the bed to a trailer.