Tailgate NON-removal

[jayfitz]

Last night, I was loading out after a gig (drummer) and opened the tailgate and freaked out when it came out of the slot on the passenger side and was just hanging there. I figured out how to realign and put it back in, but was thinking that something is broken (2023 High Altitude w 20k miles). So this morning I looked it up and found out that the tailgate is removable, which now makes total sense.

But my question is, is there a way to open it or do something so that that it doesn't just pop out of the slot whenever it wants to, upon opening? I'm thinking that it shouldn't pop out that easily. There is a plastic "washer" that has to align to allow for removal, maybe that part is not working correctly?

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[IamPro2A]

The older Gladiators have a little plate that bolts over it so you have to take out a bolt before you can remove the tailgate. They stopped doing it after the first few years, but Mopar sells the bracket and bolt as a "tailgate theft deterrent" for like $12.

 

[jayfitz]

The older Gladiators have a little plate that bolts over it so you have to take out a bolt before you can remove the tailgate. They stopped doing it after the first few years, but Mopar sells the bracket and bolt as a "tailgate theft deterrent" for like $12.

Perfect, thanks. I'll look for that part...

Purchased: https://www.moparonlineparts.com/sku/jtantitheftbrk.html

 

[Killroy Was Here]

Here is a picture of the part that @IamPro2A mentioned.

 

[jayfitz]

Here is a picture of the part that @IamPro2A mentioned.

Yeah, thats what I ordered, seems simple enough.

 

[IamPro2A]

seems simple enough.

Maybe, maybe not. I just so happen to own a '21 and a '25 at the moment, so I went and looked.
2021:

2025

I am not sure how that bracket is supposed to screw in on the 2025?

 

[jayfitz]

Maybe, maybe not. I just so happen to own a '21 and a '25 at the moment, so I went and looked.
2021:

2025

I am not sure how that bracket is supposed to screw in on the 2025?

I did look, seems to be a threaded hole in this location and the Mopar site where purchased says it's a fit for the '23. Fingers crossed!

 

[JTGuy]

When the doors are locked so is the tailgate . Can't remove the tailgate without opening it.

 

[DylanM]

When the doors are locked so is the tailgate . Can't remove the tailgate without opening it.

The point of the thread is the OP wants this part because their tailgate popped out of the pivot while opening it.

Maybe, maybe not. I just so happen to own a '21 and a '25 at the moment, so I went and looked.

I am not sure how that bracket is supposed to screw in on the 2025?

Looks like you'd have to drill a hole for the fastener and install a nut or nutsert.

 

[IamPro2A]

I did look, seems to be a threaded hole in this location and the Mopar site where purchased says it's a fit for the '23. Fingers crossed!

Please follow up when it arrives. The description says it just simply bolts in place, and includes the bolt. No mention of drilling or needing a (not included) nut or rivnut, but the before picture they use does not appear to show a threaded hole either. Can't find any install instructions or reviews, but the site confirms fitment for my 2025 as well. I was going to just swap over the one from the 2021 until I didn't see any threads on the '25.

 

[firemedic2714]

When the doors are locked so is the tailgate . Can't remove the tailgate without opening it.

Some owners may not hit the lock button on the remote when the doors are off. I do just because of the tailgate and any other electronic anti-theft features I don't necessarily know about.

 

[goldtr8]

I just put a hose clamp over tailgate assembly. I did it as a theft deterrent plus its less than a dollar to install. Sorry I dont have a picture of it.

 

[jayfitz]

Please follow up when it arrives. The description says it just simply bolts in place, and includes the bolt. No mention of drilling or needing a (not included) nut or rivnut, but the before picture they use does not appear to show a threaded hole either. Can't find any install instructions or reviews, but the site confirms fitment for my 2025 as well. I was going to just swap over the one from the 2021 until I didn't see any threads on the '25.

Ok, will do.

 

[Badunit]

Some owners may not hit the lock button on the remote when the doors are off.

And some people may have disconnected the electrical connection from the tailgate lock because they got really annoyed about the tailgate being locked whenever they wanted to open it and didn't have their key fob with them. They use the key to lock it when needed.

A hose clamp is a great idea to keep the tailgate from inadvertently coming out of the slot. From other posts (and here) it looks like the newer JTs are not built with the threaded nut for the tailgate bracket.

 

[MrBones]

Hmmmm. I have a '23 Mojave that has the bracket. No figuring.

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