Gladiator Tailgate Modification

[KoBear]

I hit up huracan fab about a JT version and they said “not for a long time mate” ??

Sponsored

 

[ShastaJT6]

Any problems or follow-up on this?

I apologize, its actually been bugging the heck out of me, I have been completely carried away the last few months with work and life, been radio silence for the most part, lot of late nights and 6 day weeks. Tailgate kit and other parts have been collecting dust.

Im finally finding some time to dive back into projects and catch up on stuff. Im making a big push to tie things off before waterfowl season begins out here. Ive made an appointment to take her in for a regear, etc.

I am hoping to make some progress on the tailgate kit this week, Ill probably have some pictures and updates by this weekend.

 

[ShastaJT6]

Any problems or follow-up on this?

I took mine out of the box yesterday, reviewed the install guide, etc.

The parts themselves are SOLID. Just the right amount of weight - its not obnoxious but it certainly inspires confidence. The latches give a solid SNAP when you release them. The whole thing screams quality.

Im planning (hoping) to do the install this weekend, I think ill be able to set aside sunday to focus on this.

@Trout Safari , any quick notes or advice for the install? Im going to use some leftover Killmatz butyl patches to reinforce the tailgate and probably some Betaseal windshield urethane for the install.

 

[Joe Gladiator]

following...

 

[Blade1668]

I took mine out of the box yesterday, reviewed the install guide, etc.

The parts themselves are SOLID. Just the right amount of weight - its not obnoxious but it certainly inspires confidence. The latches give a solid SNAP when you release them. The whole thing screams quality.

Im planning (hoping) to do the install this weekend, I think ill be able to set aside sunday to focus on

It looks nice I hope it's not to much of a P.T.A. install.

 

[ShastaJT6]

Looking at this image from the install guide provided makes the GD&T drawing with the cutting specs a lot less intimidating.

Im thinking that once I unbolt the panels from the tailgate interior, the specs for the cuts will come into focus and be easier to understand.

 

[ShastaJT6]

Alright here we go.

I removed the tailgate for the install. This is not necessary but I felt it would be easier.

For the purposes of orientation / avoiding confusion - Imagine you are standing behind your gladiator with the tailgate in the down / open position:

"Inboard" - I am referring to the bottom of the tailgate, the long edge facing the bed.
"Outboard" - I am referrin to the top of the tailgate, the long edge facing you.
"Left" - Drivers side
"Right" - Passenger side.

Tailgate removal:
Remove the torx fastener from the left and right side of the tailgate securing the check strap - The fastener is captive in the check strap, you can allow the check strap to hang and not worry about the fastener.

Remove the torx fastener securing the tailgate bracket to the bed of the truck and set aside the bracket.

Remove the closeout panel and carefully disconnect the two harnesses, I recommend using a pick, and be extra careful with the coax cable for the camera, theyre less forgiving.

At this point, you would rotate the tailgate towards you until the hinge on the right hand side aligns and allows you to lift the tailgate up and out of the bracket. Then slide the tailgate to the right and lift the tailgate out.

Remove the torx fasteners and the two closeout panels from the tailgate:

 

[ShastaJT6]

The document provided by Black Sheep can be a tad bit daunting if you arent (or are!) familiar with GD&T / Technical drawings.

There are a few key points here.

1. The line that indicates "All measurements are taken from the tailgate edge (Including the plastic cover)". This is referring to the outboard edge, with the plastic trim still installed - this will be your baseline, most of your measurements will refer to that edge.

2. The vertical center line is going to be your second anchor. Measuring out the center of your tailgate and making a vertical line will give you the foundation for your Y-Axis. The horizontal edge of the plastic trim on the outboard edge will be your X-Axis.

3. All the measurements you need are there. You will need to do some addition and subtraction to get some of the measurements marked off, but the drawing didnt leave me missing any key elements.

4. The left and right side boundaries, as pointed out in the blue arrow here:

Align with the edge marked with the BLUE arrow here, not the red one!

 

[ShastaJT6]

I strongly suggest you start by measuring your center line and marking it off.
Then, measure 415mm from the outboard edge and mark that location.
Finally, mark your horizontal 1186mm line by marking out 593mm in each direction.
I used a tape measure graduated in mm that I purchased off the Zon, in addition to my straight edge. My scribe was no match for the factory bedliner, so I used paint pen and then marked my cut lines with sharpie. The tolerances are a bit cringey, but its only weird if it doesnt work. Also, many of the cuts align with existing design features, and as you begin to mark them out, they make sense.

Before you make your cuts, unplug the low voltage harnesses from the latch actuator - There are two, I suggest using paint pen / masking tape / etc to indicate which is which so you dont mix them up. I did not unplug the camera, but I did remove all the fir tree clips securing the harness to the tailgate body.

I marked off all my measurements, then cut everything with a die grinder and cutting wheel. Angle grinder would be just fine. Once you have made all your cuts, the piece you have liberated will still be stuck by body adhesive bonding the center support to the outer panel of the tailgate.

Be careful with this so you dont dent the outer face of the tailgate. I used a hacksaw blade to cut through a good chunk of the adhesive, and then was able to brute force the entire section out. Id recommend cleaning up your edges and applying some touch up paint or rattlecanning the exposed metal left from your cutting.

 

[ShastaJT6]

Use a pick to carefully open the yellow plastic clip retaining the left side hinge linkage, then slide the linkage out from the green clip, and remove the green clip from the left side hinge.

Transfer the green clip to the supplied replacement linkage from black shee, transfer the anti rattle foam to the the new linkage, insert the linkage to the hinge, then close the yellow clip around it.

At this point, manually close the latches on the left and right hand side of the tailgate, then pull the exterior release handle you would normally use to open the tailgate. Verify both latches release properly and if necessary, adjust the positioning of the new left hand side linkage in the yellow clip to add or remove slack.

I didnt want to mess with fiberglassing, but did want to support the outer panel of the tailgate a bit, so I added from Killmatz butyl patches leftover from soundproofing the cabin. I then used duct tape in a few places to secure the harness to the outer panel of the tailgate. There is probably 1/2" or so of space between the bottom of the black sheep cubbies and the outer panel, and a recessed area for the camera assembly, so you shouldnt have any issues with the harness.

 

[ShastaJT6]

Remove the hex bolts, outboard closeout panel, and the linkage service panel from the Black Sheep assembly as indicated and insert the assembly to your tailgate for a test fit.

I was satisfied with my test fit, so I marked the holes on the inboard edge of the Black Sheep assembly, and the two holes on the outboard edge, then drilled them. I applied Betaseal urethane around the cutout, placed the Black Sheep assembly into position, then installed self tapping screws (Black Sheep provided rivets but I prefer self tappers).

After this, I reinstalled the two closeout panels using the hex fasteners provided and added loctite blue.

The 4 latches can be adjusted if necessary using an 8mm wrench. I found that the outboard latches needed some adjustment after install, but they are functioning well now.

 

[ShastaJT6]

At this point, I have reinstalled the tailgate to the truck, verified the power locks / latches / rearview camera are functioning, opened and closed the tailgate multiple times, etc.

I dont have good pictures of the final product with the tailgate back on the truck because its dark outside and way past my bedtime, but I hope this gives yall and idea what youd be getting into here. Total project time was about 6 hours for me, and a good chunk of that was just the factory bedliner gumming up my abrasive wheels..

 

[ShastaJT6]

Update, got a few pictures of the tailgate installed.

The first question anyone has is "Does it lock?" and the answer is no.
Also, the design allows for the panel to be opened with the tailgate closed, so you cannot rely on the tailgate lock to keep the panel closed. Its a bummer - I can fix it with a step drill and a $10 barrel lock off amazon, but at $1500 shipped, I shouldnt be having to do things like that.

Aside from that complain, the piece is of high quality and Im happy with it. Once I have fixed the locking issue, I will get around to loading it with equipment.

 

[skindata]

Fantastic review and installation guide. Looks great! @ShastaJT6

 

[Raiders3259]

What are the dimensions of the compartments?

Sponsored