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Gladiator Tailgate Modification

RudeJeepin

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Since someone pulled this back out...I've seen where the Ram 1500 tailgate damper will work on the Gladiator. It's a bit stronger and might be a better option for a loaded cubby holed tailgate.
PN 68328821AB I believe is the right one. You should double check though.
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Dilly’S Willy

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Since someone pulled this back out...I've seen where the Ram 1500 tailgate damper will work on the Gladiator. It's a bit stronger and might be a better option for a loaded cubby holed tailgate.
PN 68328821AB I believe is the right one. You should double check though.
Wondering if the previous owner of my JT did this...the extra strength may have led to the issue where it tried popping itself out of the joint and jammed causing cosmetic damage to the body panel near the hinge.

Apparently there's also a metal guard/bracket to help prevent theft that can bolt on just above the damper hinge, that doesn't come stock. One dealer even said they've never seen it before on a Jeep, but they have a RAM.
 

RudeJeepin

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Wondering if the previous owner of my JT did this...the extra strength may have led to the issue where it tried popping itself out of the joint and jammed causing cosmetic damage to the body panel near the hinge.

Apparently there's also a metal guard/bracket to help prevent theft that can bolt on just above the damper hinge, that doesn't come stock. One dealer even said they've never seen it before on a Jeep, but they have a RAM.
That lock piece was stock on the early years. Then Jeep dropped it. My build date is 03/22 and I have it.

I've seen a few reports on here of others having their tailgate pop half way off. Some of them think maybe they pulled up too hard on the tailgate latch handle and caused it.
 

Dilly’S Willy

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That lock piece was stock on the early years. Then Jeep dropped it. My build date is 03/22 and I have it.

I've seen a few reports on here of others having their tailgate pop half way off. Some of them think maybe they pulled up too hard on the tailgate latch handle and caused it.
See that's what I figured, and the "technician" who installed it (warranty replacement) said "I've never seen that on a jeep before and I've been here for years", and "to my knowledge jeep doesn't even have a part number for this, but ram does...maybe they macgyvered one on". -Tech and GM. But good to know they aren't unheard of and actually were OEM.

And that was most people's thought, except for two things, it wouldn't open more than a couple inches, and...I don't have that kind of strength in my shoulder since my accident.

Do you have a small plastic collar/sleeve in yours that rotates with the tailgate movement?
 

RudeJeepin

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Do you have a small plastic collar/sleeve in yours that rotates with the tailgate movement?
Jeep Gladiator Gladiator Tailgate Modification 20260304_052746

Here's a picture of mine. I believe I have the plastic collar your talking about. It's between the tailgate cup and the pin on the bed/body side.
 

Dilly’S Willy

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Das it!!!!
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