Part 9 Restoration of a 1974 Jeep CJ5 - The Tailgate Work

 Part 9 Restoration of a 1974 Jeep CJ5 - The Tailgate Work

Here is progress picture of the tailgate area. This should be interesting. As I understand it, from 1973 to the end of production, the CJ5 could be bought without a tailgate. Most, if not all of the after market fiberglass tubs do not have a tailgate. No tailgate would sure simply things, but I haven’t found an example of one without a tailgate I like the looks of. So? I’m thinking I may see how bad I can frustrate myself and do some cutting and welding and grinding. I know I can just buy one, but where’s the fun in that?

it only took 3 tries and about 4 hours to weld 3 pieces of metal together. One step closer to a working tailgate. Cut, grind, weld, fit, grind some more, cut some more, swear a little, reweld, swear some more, rince and repeat. Ow I’ll wait for the Ospho to arrive, now that I’ve learned rust oleum rust reformer isn’t much more than a primer. You would think a company like rust oleum could at least make their product have the perception they’re doing what they advertise!

I didn’t think I could save it. Sometimes I surprise myself. In a couple of days I’ll make it red and it will be just ducky!

The chain and hook.

I picked up a length of chain and a couple of snaps. I did not like how the snaps worked, so here is plane B.

These bolts came with the plow motor. They where longer than the original so I used the original. These were perfect to make a couple hooks out of.

I little heat to help the bending