alia176
SILVER Star
I wonder why ALUM isn't being considered for this useful mod?
Wagon Gear tailgate lid (11 Viewers)
- Thread starter western flyer
- Start date
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I may have missed it, but is there a website associated with these?
TrickyT
Hate that mud...
A lot of the "heavy" aspect is due to all the extra gear you end up packing in the new space. If you leave it empty my seat-of-the-pants guess is that the Wagon Gear lid weights less than the aluminum plate that Cruiser Dan made. Both approaches really stiffen up the tail gate and eliminate any potential buckling problems that some here have had.
- Thread starter
- #24
Yeah, that gate is fairly heavy unloaded, and quite heavy loaded up. True, no longer a one handed operation. The 
is pretty strong (she teaches yoga), but she will likely comment on it on our next camp trip.
It is so cool to gain substantial storage space without losing any interior room. With a kid, a dog, and 3 adults, we will need all the space we can get on our upcoming San Ignacio Lagoon whale trip.
is pretty strong (she teaches yoga), but she will likely comment on it on our next camp trip. It is so cool to gain substantial storage space without losing any interior room. With a kid, a dog, and 3 adults, we will need all the space we can get on our upcoming San Ignacio Lagoon whale trip.
TrickyT
Hate that mud...
- Thread starter
- #26
Here is WagonGear's website:
Tailgate Lids
I think he uses steel for the strength without making the frame thick. Or maybe because that is what he is comfortable building with. Or cost. Email him and ask about tig welding a frame out of alum.
And Kevin's cool build thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/200578-rotw-kevinmrowland.html
Tailgate Lids
I think he uses steel for the strength without making the frame thick. Or maybe because that is what he is comfortable building with. Or cost. Email him and ask about tig welding a frame out of alum.
And Kevin's cool build thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/200578-rotw-kevinmrowland.html
NLXTACY
Wits' End
TrickyT said:
I did the aluminum one almost identically to what CDAN did except I put in a hinge and doubled it up to make a table. I couldn't figure out a bolt on way to make the leg extensions and wound up selling it to a local mudder. IIRC I used 3/16 aluminum but I am pretty sure it didn't weight as much as the new wagon gear one. That was years ago of course so I could be wrong.
- Thread starter
- #29
My feeling is that it is heavy, but not THAT heavy, such that you would need hydraulic shock arms on it. On the other hand, I would not now let anyone open the gate without warning them that it is heavy, lest they drop it down hard.
Maybe something like this:
Dee Zee EZ Down Tailgate, Easy down, tailgate damper, truck tailgate helper
Maybe something like this:
Dee Zee EZ Down Tailgate, Easy down, tailgate damper, truck tailgate helper
Thanks for the info! I think that going with the grip lid and putting grip tape on the surrounding frame would work really good, as you suggested. I can't wait to not have my jumper cables, tow rope, etc kicking around in the back of the 80!
- Thread starter
- #31
MYSHERPA,
Here is the grip plastic up close. Narrow depth of field, but you can see the nubs.
And I just tried it, and I am able to open and close it with one hand (loaded). But maybe I am stronger than some of you guys...
Here is the grip plastic up close. Narrow depth of field, but you can see the nubs.
And I just tried it, and I am able to open and close it with one hand (loaded). But maybe I am stronger than some of you guys...
Yeah it really isn't that heavy. I have 50' of snatch rope, tree saver, wrecking bar, 20' 4ga jumper cables, tire patch kit, duct tape, electrical tape, tarp and I can open and close it with one hand. You do need to know that it isn't a regular tailgate so that you don't just drop it but I don't think that any kind of assist is really needed.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
western flyer said:And I just tried it, and I am able to open and close it with one hand (loaded). But maybe I am stronger than some of you guys...
Yes, stronger than wife...maaaybe
NLXTACY
Wits' End
scottryana said:
I have similar in mine and I'd agree that an assist isnt needed.
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My thinking about a strut to let the gate down slower was to help the princesses but also to prevent too much stress on the scissors or hinges. I've dropped my non-loaded gate a couple of times, in a hurry, raining, slippery fingers, ---, came down with quite a thud. Maybe the scissor arms, hinges, and attachment points can handle the shock load of a heavier than original spec falling gate, IDK.
I have my tailgate loaded with all sorts of crap. It is heavy and I need to be careful when lowering it. While it was cut apart, I added a quick weld bead on the captive nuts to help distribute the weight a bit. I agree that the scissor type support for the lower tailgate is not the best design.
Another happy tailgate user here. I wish that the tailgate had a spring setup like the 100 series cruisers do. It may not provide a ton of force, but any amount would help.
I really love these , but $500 bux? You gotta be kidding me.
Then make a cheaper solution. Or don't buy it....
I think it's worth every penny. Well designed, durable and made in the USA.
^Agreed, love mine as well!
