Tailgate hinge lock plate?

[chorky]

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

It locks the tailgate from being removed not locked closed

I figured this out last year but I think it's not just to prevent the tailgate from being removed, but to prevent it from being removed easily. How many people would try to remove it, forgetting that there is a gas strut behind the tail light and would cause damage trying to remove the gate without the strut.

Just my thoughts when I realized it couldn't be easily removed.

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[Cooper_D]

My 2023 built 10/22 does NOT have it.

I guess I’ll have to scout the junk yards to see if I can find one…

 

[Cooper_D]

My 23 (built 9/22) has the lock plate

So they installed them through September 2022, but quit putting them on in October 2022!?

What size bolt is used for the installation?

 

[Supazuk]

So they installed them through September 2022, but quit putting them on in October 2022!?

What size bolt is used for the installation?

not sure I bought it 4weeks ago with 22 miles on it as a 23 left over

 

[4xjeepr]

I have it on my 2020 Sport 6mt.

 

[markbxr400]

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

Just looked at mine, no security bracket like yours. That is a heck of a lot better than the cheesy tailgate locks that several vendors sell. Looked online and haven't seen that bracket to try to buy one. Will check with my dealer. Thanks!!

 

[Badunit]

68369041AB BRACKET, Tailgate Pivot

06512906AA SCREW, Pan Head Torx, M8x1.25x30.00

I see the bracket is on Mopar factory parts sites again. About $16 for both parts if no discount, plus shipping. Unfortunately my local dealer quit discounting, but it is still cheaper there with free pickup than paying $10+ in shipping from one of the other places. I haven't thought much about this bracket for a long while. Now you got me thinking about it again. I may use a hose clamp or make something with metal strap and a bolt.

 

[Vtur]

Looking at the above photo without the bracket makes it look like the bracket may not be able to be added. I don’t see threads for a bolt

This above. It's missing the welded on nut.

 

[Badunit]

It does look that way but it is too low resolution of a photo and from an angle that might not show the threads. The threads are indented a ways in the larger hole. Here is mine from an off angle at low resolution. It has threads. Brighter paint color and flash photo gives it away some.

 

[SPED1]

My 2020 had it. Have to go see if my 2023 does... If the wiring had a plug it would be a removable tailgate and a useful option for some people. the strut operates a cam that locates the left ear of the tailgate. Like, it was engineered to be removeable, but another engineer ran wiring into the tail gate screwing it up!

 

[GeneralMaximus]

68369041AB BRACKET, Tailgate Pivot

06512906AA SCREW, Pan Head Torx, M8x1.25x30.00

I see the bracket is on Mopar factory parts sites again. About $16 for both parts if no discount, plus shipping. Unfortunately my local dealer quit discounting, but it is still cheaper there with free pickup than paying $10+ in shipping from one of the other places. I haven't thought much about this bracket for a long while. Now you got me thinking about it again. I may use a hose clamp or make something with metal strap and a bolt.

Thanks for intell. I ended up putting a large ziptie around that hinge cylinder. It is streamlined enough to be unnoticeable but more importantly, the tailgate no longer lifts out of the hinge if i pull up on the handle too hard when opening the tailgate

 

[GeneralMaximus]

This above. It's missing the welded on nut.

Mine has a recessed nut. I still think that either Jeep went real cheap with a 50cts part… or someone on the assembly line just forgot to bolt on that locking plate.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

My 2020 had it. Have to go see if my 2023 does... If the wiring had a plug it would be a removable tailgate and a useful option for some people. the strut operates a cam that locates the left ear of the tailgate. Like, it was engineered to be removeable, but another engineer ran wiring into the tail gate screwing it up!

They had to put that center brake light somewhere. LoL

 

[markbxr400]

It does look that way but it is too low resolution of a photo and from an angle that might not show the threads. The threads are indented a ways in the larger hole. Here is mine from an off angle at low resolution. It has threads. Brighter paint color and flash photo gives it away some.

I found the bracket online. Mine has a large indention, but no threads. I'll take an icepick and see whether there are indeed threads further back that can be cleared out. If so, great, if not I'll remove the tail light to make sure I don't get into any wiring and drill and tap a hole or drill a hole and use a button screw with nut on the backside. Will let you know how it comes out.

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