Wagongear Tailgate Mod...

[PeeZed]

Hey guys,

Wondering if any of you have either purchased or built a tailgate storage mod like Wagongear's?

wagongear.com » 60 Series Tailgate Lids

After reading through his build thread I think I'd like to build my own; a hybrid between his original frame (angle iron) and an HDPE cover. Doesn't look like it can be that difficult with a few test runs for dimensions and fitment for the frame.

He sells his new version for around $420+ US, plus shipping. The $400 is understandable as his new version is all laser cut and super tight, but the exchange rate and shipping would just be too much for this Canuck.

So, I'm just testing the waters here and this wouldn't happen till the new year at best, but...

1. Have any of you bought or built one? If so, suggestions?

2. If I do build one and it turns out half decent, would anyone else be interested in purchasing if I build additional ones? No idea of cost at this point as I haven't looked into material costs as of yet. It would be great to outfit other guys' rigs and make a bit of cash on the side too. Maybe I'm super late in this game and someone else has already done this back in 2007


Cheers!

 

[Sweatyforehead]

Why not just get a piano hinge, some marine recessed locking handles, and get the overall cover cut out at a waterjet place?

 

[Sweatyforehead]

Hey guys,

2. If I do build one and it turns out half decent, would anyone else be interested in purchasing if I build additional ones? No idea of cost at this point as I haven't looked into material costs as of yet. It would be great to outfit other guys' rigs and make a bit of cash on the side too. Maybe I'm super late in this game and someone else has already done this back in 2007


Cheers!

I'd buy one!

 

[PeeZed]

Sweaty, I think the frame really adds to the strength of the tailgate after you cut out that gaping hole, so I personally wouldn't want to not have it, if that was what you were insinuating?

Obviously the first one will be most expensive (for me) with figuring things out and buying one-off stuff. But if it turns out and I get group interest then I can maybe source cheaper (less expensive, but not cheap) parts with a bulk buy and build them for a reasonable price.

On the one hand it's a rear tailgate and who really cares what it looks like or how tight the cuts are, but on the other hand, if we can create something similar to Wagongear's quality for a similar price CAD without shipping, then we might be onto something.

 

[PeeZed]

I have a friend who owns a very high end woodworking/finishing shop and specializes in yacht rebuilds. He has a CNC machine. He is willing, at least for me at this point (don't know how long such a deal will last), to charge me $75 per cut on the CNC machine, essentially covering his operating costs.

The width for the tailgate storage is 48"x9", which means I could cut 10 (almost 11) hatch covers out of a 4x8 sheet of HDPE. I'm not sure how many access doors I could get for side panel storage cubbies out of one sheet but I'm assuming around 2.5 sets per sheet (18"x48"), that measurement including the frame and access door.

I can also get SS Slam-hatches and piano hinges from him as well for around $20ea.

That leaves the angle iron frame and some welding for other costs, plus time.

I'm guessing for really decent quality parts and precision finishing, the tailgate will cost about $200-$250, probably about 1/3 of what it would cost to purchase (USD) and ship a Wagongear tailgate box up to us Canucks.

Anyways, we'll see what comes of this. Right now I'm knee deep in getting my project to the point where I can safely and comfortably drive it down the road with my family inside...then the cool storage stuff.

Cheers!