Bottom of Tailgate Question

Has anyone ever rebuilt the bottom of a Willys tailgatge. I'm mainly talking about the solid rod that has flat sides and fits into the female portion of the hinge. I'm going to build a new tailgate and need ideas on how to build or get some of these.

 

I'm sure they make plain square rod somewhere but off hand I would suggest key stock. If TSC or Lowes don't have it that big try a Grainger Supply or Lockes Plumbing.:v6:

 

I should have been more specific. It has two rounded sides and two square sides on my 63'. I know places to get square stock just not 1/2 and 1/2.

 

I have seen some on eBAy in the past being sold. Might try there.

 

I didn't have one and thought someone may have used something else. Sad thing is I could spend the time and make one cheaper than buying all or part of a tailgate. I think one could make some from the right size round stock. It would be quite a bit of grinding but could be done.

 

You mean the pivot tube? I thought that was a piece of thinwall tubing. Usually it's the sheet metal wrapped around the pivot tube that rusts out. Using solid stock for the pivot seems excessive - in both weight and strength.

Never mind - I'm mixing up the tailgate pivot on my old Ford truck with the tailgate on a CJ. Different design of the hinges.

Still, I'd think the sheet metal would rust out first.

 

If one considers the time taken to do this I'd bet it's cheaper to buy a tailgate. IMO-

M

 

As for the solid rod with the flats-- I' sure it'd be easy enough to make-- Carefully layout where you want the flats and then go at it with a flap wheel-- they are great-- can be used aggressively or for fine work. ALOT less vibes that a traditional hard wheel.


If you can fab up a tailgat, you can certainly make that hinge rod.

As for a place to get one pre made-- I think you're out of luck.

Side note: The tailgate I have on my '5 now has rebar as that rod-- the person who installed it didn't grind the flates in, so the ony way to remove the thing is by removing the hinges for the body.

If you do end up fabbing a new T-gate, please show us some pics!

 

That was one of the first things that I tackled on my CJ5. The rust-out was so bad on the lower part of the tailgate that the PO had to braze (I think, just brass looking weldment?) a piece of 1" angle above the rounded bottom. I left that and cut the whole bottom off and welded EMT in place; cut out the hinge portions with a cutting wheel; and welded the two pivot bars back in place. It was a training task for novice welder...me. The repair was done before the un-paint exercise that is the point of this image.....