XJ tailgate?
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: West Bloomfield,MI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L, CAI, Edelbrock Breather, Optima Yellowtop
my 89 jeep is limited edition with all metal..I am thinking of modding it to do it but also put tailgate seats like you see on some jeeps and put in roof speakers in place of the rear hatch ones...Has any one at all successfully done this?
P.S.
Also was thinking of the handle ether where the light originally is, or maybe on the inside with a electronic hatch button release.
P.S.
Also was thinking of the handle ether where the light originally is, or maybe on the inside with a electronic hatch button release.
hahaNot "all metal". Your hatch is fiberglass. The XJs didn't recieve steel hatches until 1997.
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Model: Cherokee
I have toke the hatch apart, the only way it is fiberglass is if it is under the sheet metal, other wise there is no fiberglass in site, and that hatch is pretty heavy...Do you think it is fiberglass filled?
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Model: Cherokee
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CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: West Bloomfield,MI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L, CAI, Edelbrock Breather, Optima Yellowtop
Not successfully lol. The Hatch bares some structural load on our jeeps, making it nearly impossible to modify. Next time you flex your Jeep, try and open the hatch, it wont happen lol.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Apple Valley, MN
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by 1996XJSport
Not successfully lol. The Hatch bares some structural load on our jeeps, making it nearly impossible to modify. Next time you flex your Jeep, try and open the hatch, it wont happen lol.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: West Bloomfield,MI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L, CAI, Edelbrock Breather, Optima Yellowtop
hmmm strange lol. Could be because your XJ is a 99 with a completely different hatch lol. My 96 doesnt open when flexed, and everyone I know with a first gen XJ can't open the hatch when flexed either. I'd have to ask my buddy with an 01 if he can open his.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: somewhere Gee oh Dee cant find me...
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
I doubt the stock fiberglass hatch would be strong enough to support anyone sitting on it, so here's what I'd do.
Get a tailgate and rear bumper off a comanche. Then just trim as needed, and reinforce the where the hinges and straps will mount to.
Then; cut your XJ's hatch in half, bondo over any gaps and such (because the hatches are hollow) to keep it clean looking. Basically, there you have it. XJ with a tailgate
Get a tailgate and rear bumper off a comanche. Then just trim as needed, and reinforce the where the hinges and straps will mount to.
Then; cut your XJ's hatch in half, bondo over any gaps and such (because the hatches are hollow) to keep it clean looking. Basically, there you have it. XJ with a tailgate
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Hayward, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
would depend on how stiff the frame is. If you have stiffeners or even good sliders/belly skid plates, the body wont twist as much and you will be able to do it.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,234
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From: Finger Lakes Region NY
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
not really look at the top, where the window ends.... you can almost see the blue screen behind the floating hatch. haha. but that is a great idea, that I had posted a build thread on months ago. never accopmlished cause the MJ tail gate requires an entire dismanlting and modding/reassmbly to make it work. Also the rear compartment would need a ton of bracing.
search out the "driveway build" thread".
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,328
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From: SLC, UT
Year: 1989 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Again ANYTHING can be done if you set your mind to it! I'd just pick up a JY XJ gate to cut up, so your jeep isn't down to long. It will be a time consuming project, so get to work!
BTW my tailgate is only 38" wide!
BTW my tailgate is only 38" wide!
Last edited by builtnotbought89'; Nov 30, 2011 at 06:58 AM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Upstate SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What year? Is your hatch steel or fiberglass. There was a guy on naxja/pirate who did a removable top and "tailgate" on his xj. I'd either mimic him or try to find an mj tailgate and adapt the upper half of the hatch to that