I mounted a shovel on the inside of my tailgate today using quick fist clamps. I’m pretty happy with the way it came out. What do you think?







Installation Instructions:

You will need two quick fist clamps (the 1" to 2.5" size) and two bolts / nuts (I just used ones I had laying around). I got my shovel from Walmart for $8 in the home and garden section. Total cost with shovel was less than $20!

1. Remove the plastic panel on the tailgate by pulling on the bottom part of the panel. There are clips across the bottom and the top is just inserted in.

2. The plastic panel is not completely flat so the quick fist clamps do not mount flat against the surface. To fix this, I took the mounting surface of the clamps to a belt sander until their shape conformed to the plastic panel. The thinkness at the center of the mounting surface ended up being about half as thick. You want the ends of the mounting surface to make contact with the plastic panel. I found that some flex from the ends to get the center to touch is a good thing.

3. Determine where you want the shovel located. This will obviously vary depending on the size of your shovel. Be sure to test that the shovel does not interfere with the factory sub (if equiped) or the rear window.

4. Drill mounting holes in the panel and mount the clamps as pictured below. The clamp can close either up or down. I chose up as it seems to support the shovel better. Space is tight behind the panel so be sure that your bolts are not too long.



5. Reinstall the plastic tailgate panel and mount shovel.

6. Stand back and admire your clean install.

 

that is prolly one of the best installs i have seen, great job.

The only thing i can see going bad with it is, if you are buried in mud, and you use it, where do you stick it all muddy. If it was outside the jeep, it wouldn't matter...but great install...more details please

 

That looks good...in my case it would have never worked! With 3 kids and all the gear to go camping (sans wife), I need all the room i can get and that funky little high spot on the inside of the door plays havoc with my loading! I went with the back tire.

 

where did you buy the clamps? looks really great

 

Derr -- Whats the black board behind it? is that wood or a metal plate?
Also -- where did you get the fist clamps?

Nice -- I like it!

 

They look alot like Thule fishing pole mounts.

 

HookNLadder wrote You can get them here at sierra expeditions . com it is called a quick fist clamp they come in all sorts of sizes. Look under best sellers.

 

Yet again a cool mod that will surely set standard!!! I'll be doing the same! Thanks!

 

AWESOME idea... Got another thing I need to do now

 

that looks great !!! why can't D.C. come up with these ideas?