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Lift Gate --> Tail Gate

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Old 01-21-2011 | 08:24 PM
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From: Hannibal, MO
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
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Default Lift Gate --> Tail Gate

so here is an interesting idea, and i need input since i have some planning time (its cold as hell out)....

I go to a LOT of bon fires in the spring/summer/fall and sometimes in the winter. I want to convert my rear lift gate from an upward lifting gate to a downward opening tailgate

OR

Create some kind of "split gate" where half opens down, ideally with the upper portion (incl window) removeable. I already have removeable doors so that just fits.

input please
Old 01-21-2011 | 08:33 PM
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That would be freakin awesome but no help though.
Old 01-21-2011 | 08:36 PM
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yea this would be nice becasue i to do alot of bon fires and at night when it gets colder the things holding up the hatch dont like to stay up and fall on people heads haha so i am trying what ever you get info wise!
Old 01-21-2011 | 08:48 PM
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Right now i have a tenative plan to buy a junk gate and execute a plan to torch it in half
Old 01-21-2011 | 08:51 PM
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Only issue i could see is the strength and integrity of the actual door itself. But i think, if you cut the inside stuff off, and build/make a frame on the inside, with your choice of openings it would work. Although i am not sure how things would work with the window....
Old 01-21-2011 | 08:59 PM
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If you could make the window roll down that would be awsome!
Old 01-21-2011 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Tankerblade
Only issue i could see is the strength and integrity of the actual door itself. But i think, if you cut the inside stuff off, and build/make a frame on the inside, with your choice of openings it would work. Although i am not sure how things would work with the window....
Well the gate itsself, since we will sit on it, would have a custom inside surface anyway. Maybe gut it, stick square tubing frame inside, and seal back up with a diamond plate surface.
Old 01-21-2011 | 09:01 PM
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i am defenitly trying this..good idea!
Old 01-21-2011 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by rideordie66
If you could make the window roll down that would be awsome!
beyond my skill set for sure
Old 01-21-2011 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by nukinfuts29
Well the gate itsself, since we will sit on it, would have a custom inside surface anyway. Maybe gut it, stick square tubing frame inside, and seal back up with a diamond plate surface.
Might be the way to go...however what part is exactly going to be lowered? the entire thing, half, or what?
Old 01-21-2011 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Tankerblade
Might be the way to go...however what part is exactly going to be lowered? the entire thing, half, or what?
here is what im thinking as i go over this in my head. Imagine the door as it is now. Remove the handle, like if it was shaved. Cut the door in half. The top would need a lever of some sort, and it would lift up just as it does now, leaving the bottom half in place.

The top would be removeable, much like wrangler (and my cherokee) doors.

The bottom half would drop down with like, two spring loaded bars, Grab the little rings on each side, pull in, and it drops. Sort of like a lot of trailer gates drop down. Would be supported by pip style roller hinges in the bottom on each side and tailgate cables.

Inside re-enforced as mentioned.
Old 01-21-2011 | 09:50 PM
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Bare with me as i try to together a mental image, are your going to make a cut horizontally or vertically?
Old 01-21-2011 | 10:29 PM
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Horizontally.

I wish i had any skill with GIMP or Inkscape so i could put it on paper
Old 01-21-2011 | 10:31 PM
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it would take a good bit of fab work but i def think it can be done...it kinds of on the lines of what this guy did minus the chop top and yours would have the fold down tailgate...
Attached Thumbnails Lift Gate --> Tail Gate-jeep-hatch.jpg  
Old 01-21-2011 | 10:35 PM
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Exactly. I will try this week to do something in CAD


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