I recently found myself passenger-side down in an unmarked ditch filled chest-high with snow. I was way out in the sticks on a lightly traveled side road on a 16-degree day.

The only practical exit was the driver's door -- even climbing out the window could potentially have shifted the weight enough to roll the Jeep over on its roof. But JK doors are pretty heavy, especially with power-window motors. I'm in fairly decent shape but I had a hell of a time opening the door wide enough to squeeze myself out.

The safest way out would have been through the back, but there's no way to open the tailgate from the inside. My wife and I have owned a couple of Land Cruisers with interior tailgate door handles, and they're a potentially life-saving feature -- especially for an off-road-capable vehicle with a higher liklihood of finding itself in such a spot. If Jeep monitors this Forum, I'd suggest serious consideration be given to adding escapability through the rear of Jeep vehicles.

As an aside, this experience also motivated me to assemble a survival kit (plenty of model lists available online) as well as keeping my recovery gear in the Jeep at all times. One of the two people who agreed to help me had a big heavy 4x4 but no gear.

 

That is something that is needed.

I was mesuring the roll cage for a mod and the back door closed, window was open. I never thought to look for a way to open it from the inside. Has to be a safety issue. Even trunks have a release lever.
It will make the Jeep more expensive

 

Thanks. Actually, your experience emphasizes the need for another missing feature -- a safe way to hold the tailgate open. I'm about half tired of having to remember to park on slopes in the direction that will hold the tailgate open instead of having it smack me in the back.

 

I agree with both of these: Internal release (Mainly for those with the hardtop, but applicable for both) Shock or lock open on the tailgate to keep it from guillotining me in half. (there are mods for this)

Also, i would like to see a lever or the like to lock the damn thing without having the key. (Like one of those childlock levers inside the jamb)

 

Hi, Ken. I've searched the Forum in the past for positive feedback on store-bought devices that hold the tailgate open, but all I've found are discussions of home-built approaches. Without having to research this yourself, off the top of your head, do you recall any products that have drawn praise? Bill

PS: When do I graduate from "Newbie" status and get my wings?

 

Flaw with opening the rear tail gate,
1) weight of a 35" toyo tire is 125# on stock door !!
2) after market tire carrier would block you from opening it.

 

I never thought of this. I figure it is only an issue for those of us with a hard top though. I do see the oversized tire on the carrier/aftermarket tire carrier being an issue as well. HMMMM the question is how often this will happen. Is this realy a big safety issue or just something that can happen given the right circumstances?
BTW This is asked from the viewpoint of someone who was upside down in a ditch wedged so none of the four doors of the car would open till it was moved a bit.

 

Two thoughts -

1- Only applies to those with hard tops. Easy to pull in the window bar with the sof top and grab the handle.

2 - I did the home built gas shock mod and it has worked like a champ for 10 months. Took about an hour and $40. Can't beat that...

 

Well as I am sure most of you know... one of the reasons for the rear gate not to have an internal release is so that it secures the bottom storage tub when your top is down. I was thinking if they put a key hole and button back there (like on the outside of the door, but with smaller button)... then that would work, at least you would be able to get out. As far as the after market tire carriers... they could build one with a cable release. Anyway, just my thoughts on the subject. Very good point you raised here, Huklbery.

 

Rugged Ridge makes a billet aluminum taigate stop. I don't have it yet, but it seems like it would work. Quadretec has it for $39.99.