Tailgate hinge lock plate?

[GeneralMaximus]

Who has this piece installed over their passenger side, tailgate hinge. Part #2 in the diagram and the black piece at the bottom of the red gladiator photo(not mine).

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[WILDHOBO]

Who has this piece installed over their passenger side, tailgate hinge. Part #2 in the diagram and the black piece at the bottom of the red gladiator photo(not mine).

I’m pretty sure I do. I’ll check in a few minutes.

 

[Great Offender]

Just looked and I do indeed have that do-hicky on my passenger side tailgate.

 

[WILDHOBO]

What is its purpose? How does it lock the tailgate?

 

[Terminus33]

It locks the tailgate from being removed not locked closed

 

[GeneralMaximus]

interesting. What year are all your Gladiator? My 2023 is missing that plate. I went to my local dealership to check the ones on the lot. Also missing that plate. Did Jeep just forget to install them?

 

[jn2275]

My June build 2022 has the cover.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

What is its purpose? How does it lock the tailgate?

Without this locking plate, the tailgate can pull out of the camlock hinge thats attached to the truck bed. Thats how I accidentally discovered mine was missing. If you open the tailgate halfway and then pull back on it, it will slide out of that hinge.

 

[NVjeff]

A hose clamp placed around the tailgate hinge will accomplish the same thing, if anyone wants to secure the tailgate without buying that part.
Since the tailgate handle locks I'm not too worried about the tailgate being stolen.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

A hose clamp placed around the tailgate hinge will accomplish the same thing, if anyone wants to secure the tailgate without buying that part.
Since the tailgate handle locks I'm not too worried about the tailgate being stolen.

That’s what I did. It was more so that I stop accidentally pulling the tailgate out of that cam lock hinge.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Huh. So it’s an assembly mistake? Wouldn’t Jeep replace the part if missing?

 

[GeneralMaximus]

Huh. So it’s an assembly mistake? Wouldn’t Jeep replace the part if missing?

Thats what I’m trying to figure out. I went in to the dealership to point out the missing part but low and behold, the new ones on the lot dont even have it. So, is this an assembly plant oversight or did jeep just decide to stop installing them on all new gladiators? And if so, when did this happen? My gladiator is an April 2023 build.

 

[Badunit]

Mine does not have it. It is in the parts list for '23 but appears to have been dropped from production. I tried to locate it for sale on several of the Mopar factory part websites but it is discontinued, not available for purchase. The one site that had it listed as available will likely cancel any order after a day or so. Ebay has it for about $20, more than twice the price from the factory.

 

[Great Offender]

I accidentally discovered mine was missing

I accidentally discovered my entire Dodge Power Wagon was missing from the parking lot at work. I HATE accidents!

2021 purchased from Dodge used so I had nothing to do with it's installation but think it's a great idea at a minimal cost. I have used the hose clamp method successfully for years too and you'll know the value once you have to replace a stolen one.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thats what I’m trying to figure out. I went in to the dealership to point out the missing part but low and behold, the new ones on the lot dont even have it. So, is this an assembly plant oversight or did jeep just decide to stop installing them on all new gladiators? And if so, when did this happen? My gladiator is an April 2023 build.

Mine is 9/20, and is a ‘21 model year.

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