Tail Gate

I was thinking of getting rid of the tailgate on my 74 CJ5. They say it will make the body a little stronger. Has anyone done this on theirs? If so, what did you use?

 

On my 55, I just used two grade 8 bolts to make it " permanent " I'm not familiar with the system on a 74. Might be able to bolt two pieces of angle iron ( one to the tailgate and one to the tub ) then bolt those two together. I've got my rack and spare tire bolted to the tailgate thats bolted shut with no problems.

 

You can get the 1-piece panel from Classic Enterprises. Same as the M38A1 solid back panel. Ask them not to punch the M38A1 taillight holes.

 

I bolted mine in place.

 

I'm in the process of redoing my 74 and this post peaked my interest because I need a new tailgate. But it seems that most of the responses are to bolt in in!?!?!?! What problems are associated with having a working tailgate? I don't have much experience with jeeps so don't laugh at me!!!!!!:

 

Nothing wrong with a working tailgate. I just don't need it. With the back seat in the jeep dropping the tailgate doesn't make much sense, or give me access to anything. Plus with the tailgate bolted or welded up it makes the rear portion of the body much more rigid, and less susceptible to twisting under stress.

 

I don't think there was much concern about strength of the body and the tailgate when the CJ was in production. My '73 had the solid back panel, and I wanted it because it moved the spare to the rear - not because I thought the body would be stronger.

 

I bolted mine in place. Not so much for strengthening the back, but to eliminate the noise of the chain. Even with a bicycle innertube covering it. It still made a lot of noise. I do keep the tools and chain in the toolbox on the rare occasion. I need to haul something long. I also have a roll bar
which adds a considerable amount of strength to the rear quarters
Doug/Tucson

 

Whew, that's good news cause I just ordered a new tailgate!!! I kinda like having the option of a working tailgate and if need be I can throw some bolts on it later if I don't want it to work!

 

A few 4x4 books talked about welding the tailgate or metal back there to make the body stronger so it will not twist as much. I notice 7 out of 10 CJ5's have the tailgate removed and a piece of metal welded or bolted in the space.

 

All the Renegades got the solid back panel, and the solid back panel was a (popular?) factory option for all CJ-5s starting in 1973. Nearly all (most?) of the M38A1 military Jeeps (early 50s) had the solid back panel.

I'd expect most you've seen came from the factory that way.

 

G'morning Mike.

 

I'd think the advantage of keeping it, maybe bolted, is that if you ever needed to move a kiln or something you COULD remove the seat and open the gate. Options are nice.

 

This is how I carry my dirt bike by removing the front seat and undoing the bolts to the tailgate and installing the chains. It works quite well. But when I'm done I can bolted it back up and eliminate the rattle of the chain
Doug/Tucson

 

I cram a bunch of stuff behind my back seat. More then that though, I always used the tailgate to sit on next to a camp fire. Always thought thats what the chains were for and why the military vehicles lacked the tailgate.

 

I installed a tailgate on my m38a1 body because the po had cut the whole back end off. I've since taken it off and am in the process of welding in a piece of metal. I have a later style swing out cj spare tire carrier on it and this will help strengthen the back end. Also the swing out tire carrier will allow me to open the rear lift gate for the hard top when it gets installed.