Alternative to the Black Sheep tailgate storage

[fireaustin]

Work in progress. I didn't want to spend the $1300 on the Black Sheep tailgate storage and still have to do all the cutting myself. This will still leave all the structural parts of the tailgate intact, just a little cutting on the inside for some tubs. So far, I've only spent about $350 and should only have another $50 when its all done. - I already had the two gas cans from a previous Jeep.

Got a 24" x 48" piece of aluminum diamond plate from Lowes and cut it down to 17"x48"

Attached a 30" piano hinge using 3/8" machine bolts

Installed 2 (2 still more still being shipped) compression latches. I found the best tool that I have for this was an oscillating tool with a metal cutting blade. Most that I found on Amazon were keyed but I didn't want more keys to lose.

Installed the Rotopax dual mounting plate using most of the supplied hardware but only 1/2" bolts instead of the 3" it came with

Currently finished product until more parts come in.

I'll update as I get more parts. It definitely will need the other two compression latches in the middle for the fuel tanks to be full.

Future plans for this project are the two more compression latches that are on order and 2-4 storage containers that will rest under the diamond plate in the bottom half of the tailgate. Probably something along the lines of tupperware containers.

Part of my logic on the hinged setup on the tailgate is the ease of removal of the Rotopax plate for when I actually need to use the truck bed for... truck stuff.

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[Doonan]

This is super cool!
I would recommend some weather sealing around the brake light at the camera housing as they are now much more open to the elements

 

[MarkN]

Nice job! I like it. Are you going to do anything on the diamond plate? It’s very slippery when wet. I used that on my rear seat delete for the dog. I sprayed mine with Lizard Skin which is similar to bed liner, for a no slip surface.

Mark

 

[fireaustin]

Added self expanding weather strip along the top and sides for better keep the water out of the latch area. I still plan to add buckets at some point but have been busy with other projects (AEV lift, etc)

No, I don’t plan on adding anything to coat the diamond plate for now. Though a quart of do it yourself bed liner would easily cover that little space.

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