Wagon Gear tailgate lid

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Looks great

How solid is the lid?

We use our tailgate for a bench quite a bit and I wouldn't want anyone to fall through

 

[NLXTACY]

Looks great

How solid is the lid?

We use our tailgate for a bench quite a bit and I wouldn't want anyone to fall through

extremely solid. The tailgate is far more solid now then it was previously.

 

[Itchy Sides]

Very cool and still space/access for a rear fog or additional revers light (or both) on the gate.

 

[jonheld]

Looks great

How solid is the lid?

We use our tailgate for a bench quite a bit and I wouldn't want anyone to fall through

Not going to happen. I stand/sit/kneel on mine all the time. It's extremely sturdy and durable. Once you bolt the frame in place, it will actually straighten out any bow in the tailgate. It seals better, is stronger, and you have storage space.
Worth every penny.

 

[western flyer]

Yes, stronger than wife...maaaybe

Yeah, mine is pretty damn strong...all that yoga...she would pin your ass.

And yeah, this thing is no doubt pricey. I "need" the safe storage space often enough, so it is worth it to me. For most others here, maybe not. To each his own. I enjoy well made things; it is tough to put a true price on that addiction. It is not like the baby is going barefoot, but I will have to put off that shortbus bumper for bit longer.

Kevin at WagonGear noted that I used so much dynamat that that is what made gate extra heavy. Kevin also noted that the gate is substantially stronger with the new lid than it was stock; it appears he is correct. It is stout.

 

[AMMO]

Guy's

The Wagon Gear product is stout to say the least and engineered to industrial standards. The cost is not made up in some outrageous profit, quality hardware is expensive. The fit and finish on this is top notch. Could Kevin put these out at a lesser cost? Maybe if you use less quality materials, does he offer other hdw options? Ask him, he does.

Your paying for a super high quality engineered and designed product that is laser cut, powder coated, with super high end quality HDW to insure years of use and abuse... That said one of these all decked out is on my hit list of items to get!

-Matt

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I've got 100% the identical lid.

x2. I used some type of generic dynomat on the inside but otherwise identical installation. I like it.

 

[plutonius]

x3 along with Dynamat. I love it And it does indeed get a bit heavy to the point that it's crossed my mind to try and rig up some sort of assist (strut or spring)...there's got to be a strut somewhere that will fit in there

 

[93yotasr5]

I'm jealous!

 

[western flyer]

Here is my lid in use along the Sea of Cortez in Baja a few days ago. I had the lid well packed and nothing rattled or came loose (excellent trip, btw).

The Federales (inspections are common in Mexico) were rather interested in what I had inside the tailgate, but where pretty nice about it, except.... they were very interested in the green mil-spec parachute cord I had in there. They were convinced that I was military because of this green cord and asked a lot of questions. I suggest you do not take anything military green to mex, if possible.

 

[ECBMCC]

I realize this is an old thread, but if anyone has come up with a strut option to either aid in the opening and/or closing of the gate with the additional weight, I'd sure like to know about it. This is one of the first mods I want to do on my LX450, when I pick it up this coming weekend...Thanks.

 

[Delancy]

What additional weight?

 

[retrofive]

What additional weight?

Hey! Not all of us are buff like you.


All kidding aside, exactly, what weight. I don't have one... yet, but the few Ive seen/used even loaded was a non issue.

 

[Gorilla]

Instead of the OEM hinge, can you some how adapt a shock like hinge to help with the added weight? Great idea with these, wish we could get them in Aus.

 

[Delancy]

Instead of the OEM hinge, can you some how adapt a shock like hinge to help with the added weight?

Have mine fairly full and it's manageable, though I am buff as retro stated.

Of course, not storing gold bars in the space, though.

It's a kick ass product, very well thought out and instituted, and every square inch of space is valuable, especially for those not wanting drawers, but there's only so much room afforded. Not nearly enough to warrant assisted operation, in my opinion, and if it is in some cases, buy a $10 a month gym membership.

Your wife/SO will appreciate it.

 

[NLXTACY]

Ok so I'm going to come at this from another angle. I only have one working arm so I can only lift with my right. My wife does have the strength to lift it up but not without a struggle. The bigger issue for her is opening it. She has dropped the tailgate at least twice that I know of. This has forced me to reevaluate what goes in the lid. I've removed as much heavy, dead weight as possible. Its still one of the best mods I think. I wouldn't mind a power assist if one was made.

 

[Delancy]

I've seen something similar on a truck in the mid-90s, possibly a Tommy lift product, but can't say.

It was assisted, but not powered. Could raise and lower the tailgate with three fingers, from a wheel chair.

I can raise and lower mine with only the right hand, but it's worked out significantly more than the left.

I'd give an arm to be ambidextrous, though.

 

[jojobeed]

How about an enclosed cable spring wheel aka arbor reel? Maybe source one with just enough force to assist with the lift and slow the lowering? Just a random thought.

 

[ECBMCC]

I agree with NLXTACY, my wife will have issues lifting and just as concerning to me, when she drops it and it slams. I think this is an awesome modification but if we can come up a way to make it easier to open and close then fantastic. The Ford F150s have something like that, which I believe would be quite useful for this mod. I'm not really that mechanically inclined, but from what I've read on MUD, there are some really talented and industrious folks on here that can come up with a potential solution. My two cents.

 

[Douglas S]

I think the best approach is to just pay attention to how it's loaded. The hinges aren't designed to carry heavy loads on top of the weight of the tailgate, and assisted opening doesn't relieve any stress on them (other than preventing the gate being dropped).