I just had an idea, if you were to chop the hatch in half and leave like 2 inches below the window, and then build some sort of tailgate. It would be kind of like a truck topper. Is it possible, because there's some thing about sitting on a tailgate with beer and friends

 

everything is possible my friend with skill and imagination, i trust you mean like the back end of a range rover.

 

The hatch isn't the right shape or design and if you cut it in half isn't going to be strong enough to be a tail gate.

It would be much easier to fit a real tail gate. But that isn't saying it will be easy... a lot of fabrication would need to be done...

 

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

 

It would be cool and with a little fab work its def possible. You could always strengthen it if it feels to flimsy to sit on. Personaly I would spend my money elsewhere but to each is own.

 

Well I was thinkin to cut the hatch and then find a tailgate from another vehicle and mod it to fit, but I don't have the fab skills or tools to do this, but I thought it would be a cool idea for someone to try if they want, but if at any time I have to opportunity to try I will, xj hatchs are easy to find around here

 

Thats exactly what I was thinking! I will have to keep this around for when, if ever, I decide to do it

 

'97 and up tailgates are metal though.

Rob

 

I'd do it but its really easy to mess up one of these projects and my 96 XJ is my daily driver. Give it a try if you're up for the challenge.

 

Yeah it'd be a long time though, mines a DD too

 

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.

 

XJ speaker bars suck... stick with the hatch speakers if you can.

 

I probably will but will modify the location.

 

hm.. interesting...

 

I have a bunch of Ideas that I would like to do...When I ever come up with enough money to do them all I am going to document the whole thing...but the half hatch is one of the thinks I would like to do first...