Benbean66
Well-Known Member
I'm seriously considering it... I'm trying to figure out if there's any part of it that I can improve on or make different...
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I cut a giant hole in my tailgate! Reaper Off-Road Tailgate Box install and write-up.
- Thread starter Zero_Accel
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TRMFAM
Active Member
Great write up thank you for taking the time. I like this a lot and it is great for recovery gear and keeps it out of interior. That stuff typically gets really dirty and I just brush it off.
With the coupon things pretty good pricing for what you get.
I am interested in how you stiffen the sheet metal so please post what all you try. The expansion foam is a great idea is it the same stuff from hardware store?
With the coupon things pretty good pricing for what you get.
I am interested in how you stiffen the sheet metal so please post what all you try. The expansion foam is a great idea is it the same stuff from hardware store?
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Zero_Accel
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- #48
Polyethylene foam, same stuff that goes in your toolbox. Water and oil resistant, so hopefully it doesn't cause any issues living in the tailgate.
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Zero_Accel
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- #49
Copy paste from earlier.
Update 3/15/2024.
Fixed the tailgate hard dropping issue. For once, it was actually easy. I decided to try my luck with a drop in replacement, a DeeZee replacement strut, on the bet that it would be stronger.
Took 5 minutes to install, and my flat working area is already being useful.
And well sure enough, the DeeZee strut is stronger, it can handle the increased weight. Keeping it. Not bad for $40.
Update 3/15/2024.
Fixed the tailgate hard dropping issue. For once, it was actually easy. I decided to try my luck with a drop in replacement, a DeeZee replacement strut, on the bet that it would be stronger.
Took 5 minutes to install, and my flat working area is already being useful.
And well sure enough, the DeeZee strut is stronger, it can handle the increased weight. Keeping it. Not bad for $40.
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Zero_Accel
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Update 3/18/2024:
Fixed the floppy sheet-metal!
Cut and added 1.5 inch thick polyethylene foam. Did my best to shape it with the same flat blade I used to cut out the original support.
Stuck it in the middle section with some double sided tape to hold it in place while I dropped the box in, and no more floppy tailgate! Tried to match the curve as best as I could. Only thing I would have done differently would be to just buy the 1 inch thick version, the 1.5 inch is a bit too much, and had to be trimmed down to that 1 inch thickness. Also threw in a piece to give my rattly prop-rod some support.
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Alc
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Great ingenuity! But all this should have been addressed by Reaper and included in the kit with instructions to including the stronger the strut. That was a huge/expensive risk you took to get a product not ready to be completely installed at delivery. My hats off to your engineering, hopefully that company is listening and following this thread or if nothing else, taking your feedback.
Vtur
Well-Known Member
I would tapes/blocks off the locking mechanism area and fill the whole tailgate void with some expendable spray foam, then trim as needed.
Bluefalcon
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Thanks for updating!!!!!!!
Doc MacNab
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It has now been almost 3 years since you installed it. Has the thing rusted? I’m thinking that hinge, especially, or any other part of it for that matter.
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Zero_Accel
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- #56
Not sure if you meant 3 weeks, but there's no signs of rusting. The box is aluminum, along with the tailgate, so no rust there to worry about.
The hinges are the only things here that are steel, but they are painted/powdercoated. Combined with the seal around the Reaper box, and the seal from the tonneau cover, I believe rust will be a non-issue.
Doc MacNab
New Member
Good to know. Yeah, this is not a long enough time to evaluate; I will keep tabs on ya. I misread the original post as 2021 for some unknowable reason. My head was around too many explosions during my lawless days, I guess.
Jim Phelps
New Member
Thanks for your photos and installation report. I followed your lead with foam, keyless latches and new strut for tailgate. Everything turned out well and I am pleased with the tailgate box so far.
YaboyTroy
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Great write up! I am having trouble finding the dimensions of the storage compartment, do you think it is tall enough to shoe horn in an air compressor?
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Zero_Accel
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- #60
I'd say you would be able to cram in a ARB Single if you orient the air outlet to the side, maybe the twin if you can get it to lay flat enough.
I'd offer to go measure the box, but my Jeep is at the dealer getting a new transmission via warranty. It's been there since December, who knows how long it will take.
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