Swapping the tailgate out

[XtremeRetard]

So due to some dude in a RAM shunting me from behind at a stop light I had to replace my rear tailgate which was split.
His insurance paid me out $1850 and I got a replacement door for $875.

Turned out the wheel mount that comes with the recon is different. The camera nose is longer and when I plugged the replacement one in the camera was black. Though maybe it was dead anyway. So I had to keep my own tire mount.

I watched a couple of videos. Basically, I could have got away with just unbolting the door from the tailgate hinges and not the body mount point. But I only figured that out afterwards...

The main alignment is done on the door itself.

You dont need to take the tail light out either!

You can access the hinges from inside the trunk area. Just take off the inside panel with one screw just behind the backseat. The rest of the panel just pulls off. The body hinges are behind an inspection sticker. You just peel it back and you will see the bolts.

But as indicated above Id just take the door off with the 4 door bolts next time. Leave all the rest alone unless you have the fully replace the hinges. But again, working on the door is easier when its on the ground. Especially when fitting the hinge reinforcement and tire relocation stuff.

You can see the inspection panels below.

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[Carolina Jeeper]

I've been in there on mine when I installed a Rusty's tailgate/spare carrier reinforcement kit. Adjustments are more involved with Rusty's kit. Glad you were able to get yours fixed without some major body damage repairs.

Looks like lots of road and trail dirt on the inside of the taillight opening and on backside of the taillight. I had no idea dirt could get in there like that.

 

[Dan M.]

Interesting. There are a suprising amount of parts that you think would be the same across the Wrangler line up that are different depending on trim level. Not sure why Jeep does that.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I've been in there on mine when I installed a Rusty's tailgate/spare carrier reinforcement kit. Adjustments are more involved with Rusty's kit. Glad you were able to get yours fixed without some major body damage repairs.

Looks like lots of road and trail dirt on the inside of the taillight opening and on backside of the taillight. I had no idea dirt could get in there like that.

Both the tail light wells are wide open to the elements from below. Kind of a dumb design to be honest. Up here I have road crap splashing up there like 8 months of the year.

 

[four low]

This would be a real concern in Salt Belt. I think older Jeeps, pre- JL, had a foam piece, or flap across the bottom.
I didn't think about this until now, and will look into closing that off , like the " old days"

 

[XtremeRetard]

Yeah maybe a breathable cloth patch would be good. I imagine drainage is important. That's Sand Hollow sand... Lots of it..

 

[GRAK]

Fine trail dust is everywhere I discovered yesterday doing a tailgate table, under all the trim and tons in the tailgate

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