Tailgate sagging

[SubLime]

The weld on my rear passenger corner that ties the side corner to the body panel under the tailgate appears to have broken on my 2001 TJ.
The tailgate is sagging with no tire on the carrier. Can I bolt a piece of aluminum across the two pieces to straighten the side corner back up?
Is the enough structure behind those two areas for some self tapping bolts or would I need pop rivets?

Paul

 

[macleanflood]

How do the torque boxes look from underneath?

-Mac

 

[BlueC]

Can I bolt a piece of aluminum across the two pieces to straighten the side corner back up?
Is the enough structure behind those two areas for some self tapping bolts or would I need pop rivets?

Anything like that will simply be a temporary band aid. If you want this done right you need to figure out why it let loose, I'll guess rust, then repair that and weld things back in place.

 

[SubLime]

How do the torque boxes look from underneath?

-Mac

Torque boxes and floor pans were replaced two years ago. Frame was repaired about 5 years ago.

 

[SubLime]

Anything like that will simply be a temporary band aid. If you want this done right you need to figure out why it let loose, I'll guess rust, then repair that and weld things back in place.

Its because of the rust, I just need to hold it together for another year until I can get repair $$$

 

[jjvw]

Rivets will work well.

There is a torque box running the length of the gate and about 3" into the corners.

It is easier to line things back up when the spot welds tear holes in the corners.

 

[SubLime]

Rivets will work well.
View attachment 645250

There is a torque box running the length of the gate and about 3" into the corners.

It is easier to line things back up when the spot welds tear holes in the corners.
View attachment 645249

This is great information.

I did not realize there was a torque box back here also. I had the front ones under the floor replaced previously.
If I pull the inner fender liner, can you see in there. I'll have to dig into this over the weekend.

thanks..Paul

 

[jjvw]

This is great information.

I did not realize there was a torque box back here also. I had the front ones under the floor replaced previously.
If I pull the inner fender liner, can you see in there. I'll have to dig into this over the weekend.

thanks..Paul

You will see it where the body mount isolaters are attached. That is the rear torque box. Those spot welds are the only thing keeping the corners attached to the rear gate frame other than the C pillars of the cage.

 

[macleanflood]

And be careful because you can collapse them hitting rocks.

-Mac

 

[SubLime]

And be careful because you can collapse them hitting rocks.



-Mac

Luckily this is only my daily, but yours is the right color

 

[macleanflood]

Luckily this is only my daily, but yours is the right color

Which one? =) It was a black Jeep before the PO painted it with a terrible coat of white. Overspray everywhere. Then my wife love tapped the back...so the tub got swapped for a red 99.

I like the red too. If I can figure out how to spray it I'll eventually repaint the rest red.

-Mac