Hi! Has anyone seen a mod to allow the tailgate to drop down instead of swing? I sure do miss the utility of the old drop down gates. They made a dandy seat and stuff just was easier to put in them. Take care... Mike

 

The first question I have: do you have a plan to run with a spare? If I was to do it, I'd install a rack and throw the spare up top, for starters.

I haven't had a chance to look at a tailgate pulled off the body to see if it's feasible. Anyone else out there that has? I'm curious as to the hinge setup and seeing if it would be in the way.

Would love to see someone do this mod, though!

 

It's been done on TJ's so I dont see why it couldn't be done on a Jk. I believe they used a CJ-7 tailgate, but obviously that wouldn't work on a JK. With enough money anything is possible.

 

I started the same thread awhile back. I would love to do this to my JK. I think it would make the JK alot more versitle. It all depends on what you want to do with you jeep. But I am with you it would be cool. I am sure most custom body shops or fabricators could do it, and I am sure at a hefty price. There was one guy on the thread I had that said he would talk to a fabricator buddy of his to see how it could be done, but no word.

 

Damn that would look cool

 

Brad, Hi! The spare tire problem was easy enough...just put on one of those after market rear bumpers with the swing out spare tire mount. (They can be removed if need be.) The tricky part, imho, is re-inforceing the lower bodywork and lower tailgate to support a hinge set-up heavy enough to hang the tailgate on. I believe the same tailgate would need to be re-used as it fits the opening. I'm at a stand-still on how to attach the chain keepers to the door / gate securely. The handle and hinges would only be ornimental and serve no purpose or possibly build up, fill in, and paint to provide a smooth appearing tailgate as seen from the rear. A modicum of security would be provided via a set of padlocks through the chain keepers. (Face it...ragtops are not the highest form of security known to man anyway so not much of an issue here!!) This is certainly not a "do-it-yourself" project but a good body fabrication shop should be able to work through it after a little "pre-planning". Take care... Mike

 

Check out JP magazine. It was either this month's or last month's issue that they did it on a TJ. Should be very similar. They may have the article posted on their web site.

 

I don't know. I've owned several Jeeps and don't miss the drop gate at all. I like the swing-out and flip up glass. I do, slightly, wish I could raise the glass without opening the gate but it is what it is - exactly as purchased therefore it must be fine.

 

Here's the link to the JP article.

w ww.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/body/154_0707_jeep_tailgate_conversion_6_half_steps_to_ bliss/index.html

They say it works for YJ's & TJ's. Is the JK's tailgate different than the others?

 

Why not eyeball the tailgate of a pickup for the nob/socket for the base hinge and chain up both sides just like a pickup? And of course the swing out tire carrier. The pull handle would/should still functionh as well like that.