i want to make a rear drop down tail gate and get rid of my bashed up swing out tail gate.

any one done this? anyone got experience? and one got any ideas? and any one got pics?

its a SWB soft top vitara BTW.

thanks
Steve

There was someone in AK (wasilla I believe) that had done it for a sami, was goin to sell kits and also was investigating a similar trick on the trac/kick/vit.

The basic premise was to relocate the side hinges to the bottom. I think another striker/latch on the rhs might be needed too (and some linkage to have it unlatch).

I was going to have a look at doing mine next winter ...

yeah, i was thinking about making it all pro like what the pick ups have. but then its way too much hassles.

at the moment i'm thinking of making a nice strong frame, and putting some hinges on the bottom like what some tray backs have and what most trailers use, which are the removable tail gate hinges. (i can get pics of my trailer if interested)

and then, to keep it closed, use a gate latch on either the inside of the door, or outside. can look for a pick of this too if interested)

i would be putting some thick heavy duty door seals (rubber) like what some large cool rooms use, to keep it all air/dust/water tight, and to keep the door tight from being loose and rattly.

on top of the frame, inside and out, i would be using diamond plate to finish off.

probably the only question thats stopping me, is:

will the bottom part of the body be strong enough to hold/mount the hinges, and if it would also hold the weight of a couple of blokes sitting on the tailgate when down?

i will hold the gate 90* when down with chains either side.

thanks
Steve

I don;t think relocating the hinges would be a big hassle (and the rhs striker/latch might not even be necessary).

My play was to find a wreked one I could use as a donor, and fab it up. if things didn;t work out, go back to stock.

I think your concern about strength of the mounting point of the hinges is legit, but we'll see

where can i mount hinges? and what hinges to use?

under the bumper fascie is some body sheet metal to attach to. Will need some plates added for strengh.(possibly tied into the frame?).

the side hinges would be unbolted, moved the door bottom ... some straps/cables to help hold when dropped.

I've got rid of the bumper fascia (and have a 2" BL) so clearance of the stock bumper bits isn't a problem for me. The only bit that looks like some cuts or massaging might be necessary is at the bottom corners of the door.

That's sorta why I was going to find another tailgate (with it's hinges) to experiment with ...

yeah, i know whats under the bumper skin, and on mine, there is nothing. the reinforing was bent up bad, so i took it off, and havent put anything under it since. just running the skin on to please Mr. Plod, and now, waiting for my rear tube bar.

i also have a body lift, but its 3", and i will also be making it a point to do a tank lift with in the next few months!

here is a pic i just drew on to show how i'd have the frame of the tail gate if it were bare and not covered. not a good idea, as theft usually results. and seeing as i will most probably get it covered with aluminium diamond plate, the middle support will run horizontally.

the corners om the bottom may need to be cut off to allow the gate to be put down.

Could you use the ball and socket approach used on most pickups?(notably chevrolet) or perhaps a hinge setup like a hood. they have stops built in, and with alittle ingenuity and a welder I'm sure you could get them mounted to the sides of that tailgate.

Take a look at toyota or Mazda tailgates, the hinges are sticking out and the bolts are on the inside, you could use these so the gate would swing out from the body and not have to cut the gate at all ( think this way more sanno)