DIY Tailgate Table

[MeefZah]

So I am also doing this project. I kind of culled some ideas from various threads, YT vids, and wandering around the hardware store.

I mocked it up last night with some scrap wood and I think it'll be good once finalized.

Basically I'm going for a 28.5" x 15.5" x .5" piece of custom sized black HDPE cutting board, ordered from here:

https://plasticcuttingboards.com

It'll be held to the threaded bungs inside the bottom of the tailgate with 4" gate hinges, bolts, and spacers, and suspended from paracord, and held in the closed position by magnets on the tailgate and on the table top.

This will protrude under 1" when closed.

Will update when I complete it after I get the cutting board. Right now as it sits it's slightly smaller than spec'd, the magnets are not centered up on the wood, paracord isn't wrapped, screws are protruding, etc.

The cutting board is like $70 but if you did this with scrap plywood it would be like $15 in hardware.

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[stingGreyNJ]

So I am also doing this project. I kind of culled some ideas from various threads, YT vids, and wandering around the hardware store.

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The cutting board is like $70 but if you did this with scrap plywood it would be like $15 in hardware.

Overpriced cutting boards FTW!

 

[stingGreyNJ]

The cutting board is like $70 but if you did this with scrap plywood it would be like $15 in hardware.

I'm pretty sure I used something like this and cut it down ~$35.

 

[AndySpill]

Is something still a tailgate table if it's not actually connected to the tailgate?

I think the Ford Bronco people might say yes, upon which this approach was inspired....

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/best-tailgate-table.72013/post-2723347

 

[MeefZah]

I'm pretty sure I used something like this and cut it down ~$35.

You know I actually was going to get that one and cut it down - but I figured for a little more (ok, double) I could get it in black and spec out some other things like radiused corners and such.

I could cut it and radius it myself I guess, but this way it'll be done more gooder, since I am known to be a hack when it comes to cutting and grinding things.

 

[stingGreyNJ]

You know I actually was going to get that one and cut it down - but I figured for a little more (ok, double) I could get it in black and spec out some other things like radiused corners and such.

I could cut it and radius it myself I guess, but this way it'll be done more gooder, since I am known to be a hack when it comes to cutting and grinding things.

I thought white better to see if dirty / contaminated. If you cut you still have a front and outside corner factory finished.

 

[MeefZah]

Ok here's my finished table, based on the demo I made from plywood (above).

I used a custom sized cutting board at 28.5" x 15.5" x .5" from

https://plasticcuttingboards.com/

A set of 4" gate hinges and two magnetic cabinet door closers from Menards, some generic spacers and generic 6mm x 50mm button head bolts and washers and paracord I had in my garage, and an assortment of 8-32 stainless hardware (1" bolts , washers, lock nuts) bought individually at my local hardware store. I got some acorn nuts to cap the exposed threads on the hardware but didn't use them.

The only drilling required to the Jeep is six holes to the plastic tailgate cover: two over the lower bungs on the factory drill marks, one in each upper corner for the paracord stays (which are just knotted behind the plastic), and two for the magnets.

You also drill ten holes in the cutting board: six holes for the hinges, two holes for the other half of the magnetic closures, and one hole in each front corner for the paracord stays (which are knotted under the holes).

I'm pretty pleased. Table seems super stout and looks good. I recommend that cutting board website I linked above, they were easily the cheapest place I found and did a really nice job and shipped really fast.

I'm all in for $80 which I realize puts this striking distance of a cheap table but I like my build.

(Below: The paracord loop is my interior tailgate release and isn't related to the table)

 

[stingGreyNJ]

Looks amazing!!!

Paracord loop is rear door opener for when sleeping inside? You have a write up on that?

Ok here's my finished table, based on the demo I made from plywood (above).

I used a custom sized cutting board at 28.5" x 15.5" x .5" from

https://plasticcuttingboards.com/

A set of 4" gate hinges and two magnetic cabinet door closers from Menards, some generic spacers and generic 6mm x 50mm button head bolts and washers and paracord I had in my garage, and an assortment of 8-32 stainless hardware (1" bolts , washers, lock nuts) bought individually at my local hardware store. I got some acorn nuts to cap the exposed threads on the hardware but didn't use them.

The only drilling required to the Jeep is six holes to the plastic tailgate cover: two over the lower bungs on the factory drill marks, one in each upper corner for the paracord stays (which are just knotted behind the plastic), and two for the magnets.

You also drill ten holes in the cutting board: six holes for the hinges, two holes for the other half of the magnetic closures, and one hole in each front corner for the paracord stays (which are knotted under the holes).

I'm pretty pleased. Table seems super stout and looks good. I recommend that cutting board website I linked above, they were easily the cheapest place I found and did a really nice job and shipped really fast.

I'm all in for $80 which I realize puts this striking distance of a cheap table but I like my build.

(Below: The paracord loop is my interior tailgate release and isn't related to the table)

 

[MeefZah]

Looks amazing!!!

Paracord loop is rear door opener for when sleeping inside? You have a write up on that?

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/tailgate-release-handle.7650/page-3#post-2765059

 

[hallisterx]

Just thought I’d share the final product. Pic in Zion

this is exactly what I'm looking to do but had only seen it on the JK - how did you secure it at the base? hinges drilled directly into the black? Any info or suggestions / material recommendations would be great! 2021 Wrangler Unlimited Sport JL for reference

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